[Reader-list] Safety of list-members

[Monica Narula]

Dear All,

My mail as a list administrator has been understood in various ways.  
The most unfortunate reading has been one of seeing the whole episode  
as one of victimization of Kashmiri pandits in the list.  This is  
ridiculous. I cannot answer each bravado-filled mail...

Lawrence's mail is very clear on one ground - there is a public life  
of the list outside its subscriber base. The safety of list-members  
(in as much as what they say and discuss on the platform but which is  
accessible to the whole world) is under threat because of accusations  
of a grave nature being loosely bandied about. This is all the more  
dangerous as the allegations are never substantiated and they act as  
repressors of speech and exchange. This fearful climate that is being  
generated through the list is something that is deeply disturbing.

Keeping this context, I request Aditya and Pawan to apologize to list  
members against whom they have made numerous and un-substantiated  
accusations of dubious sources of funds. The apology needs to be made  
on the list so that the archive can have this as a record. This is  
serious and i hope all of you understand that in today's climes it is  
critical to maintain a sense of balance, ensure at least minimum  
safety for all list members, and keep alive the creative and  
investigative freedoms associated with this list.

 From on, this list's public statement will have the following:

"Code of Conduct for discussions on the list:

1) no person, whosoever they may be should make any allegations on  
the personal conduct of another list member or any other third  
person, without offering proof for the same. Should this proof be  
found  wanting, they should apologize.

2) that people voluntarily agree to refrain from making sexist and  
homophobic remarks or use racist language of any kind.

On 3 infringement of these the person's list subscription will be  
terminated."

I sincerely hope that this is clear and understandable to all.

best

Monica

list admin



Monica Narula
Raqs
Sarai-CSDS
29 Rajpur Road
Delhi 110 054
www.raqsmediacollective.net
www.sarai.net