On FTI, blogging & such: An Important Clarification

Dear All: This post is being written with the explicit purpose of clarifying a few misconceptions and misunderstandings about FTI, about some of my FTI colleagues, their utterances, my views and such.

I am purposely making this a matter of public record. Hopefully this will go some way in helping my colleagues, potential FTI members, our potential allies and fellow political activists/organisations understand where we stand on certain matters & statements that may cause confusion and/or misunderstanding (and potentially even ill-will). It should also help in clarifying the differences in stance of FTI, its individual members and their public utterances.

Ever since the formation of FTI in c. 2007, there have been questions along the lines of who is our spokesman? who represents FTI? who are its “leaders” and so on. These questions are mostly due to the confusion in not understanding the true purpose and role of FTI.  So pl allow me to highlight a few important points:

1. FTI is not a political party but more of a platform for political activists to come together & have serious and in-depth discussions about policies – and ideology
2. We do not have any “official” spokesperson on FTI.
3. We do not have any heirarchy. All members are equal. There is no President. There is no “Ordinary Member”.
4. We are all part of FTI as individuals. We are working together towards certain common goals. But we do have minds and views of our own.
5. Our views on all things do not always match. I am not bound by the statement or views of any individual member,  just like they are not bound by my views.  In fact, we have had public disagreements among FTI members (including on my blog, e.g. here and here).
6. With time, we all learn and evolve. Our views may therefore change with time.
7. FTI members are (and will continue to be) free to associate with any political party that is committed to the cause of liberty, individual freedom and the sovereignty and integrity of India. FTI members are already part of Loksatta, AAP Party, Bharat Punarnirman Dal and a few other political semi-political formations.
8. Neither me – nor any of our colleagues who have blogs or write/express their views publicly do so in any official capacity of FTI. Our views are personal and must be considered – and judged – in that light.

Trust this clarifies and helps in removing any confusion and misunderstanding.   

As I wrote in a post about a year and a half back (emphasis added), “I know..it is easy to get carried away and lapse into emotional outbursts..but I strongly  believe all of us who aspire to get into active politics need to develop a sense of discipline and a certain code of conduct that does not let our colleagues and supporters down…And I am relying on you – dear readers – to alert me when you feel I have stepped over the boundary. Comments and thoughts welcome, as always…Jai Hind, Jai Bharat! 

Related Post: Of thugs, cowards and “Vinayam”