On my “departure” from FTI etc..
Last year, within a few hours of my public declaration of joining AAP, I realised that I was “locked out” of all FTI-related forums and groups, including at least one group that was not exclusive to FTI members (“Rule of Law Front”).
The common thread in these groups was that they were being managed by ex-FTI colleague Sanjeev Sabhlok. I am not sure whether the decision to bar from me one/all groups was his or the entire group, but it was not until later that I realised this was the outcome of my “departure” from FTI.
This was odd since I had neither formally resigned from the group, nor expressed an interest to quit. But it appears I had fallen foul of an internal decision (which I vaguely recall) that FTI members who join “socialist” groups like AAP will immediately forfeit their membership of FTI.
This is what Sanjeev Sabhlok wrote on his blog on my decision to join AAP, “…Shantanu Bhagwat has joined AAP. That is inconsistent with membership of FTI.” He concluded with these lines: “I can only hope that the presence of some ex-FTI members on AAP will prove good in the end.” A few days later, he was more harsh in his words. He referred to my joining as another example of “The continuing betrayal of India by so-called “liberals— and accused me of lying since I had not apparently “discussed” my joining AAP with him,  and or an opportunist.
He also accused me of “keeping quiet” about AAP’s free water and other socialist policies (notwithstanding that I had hinted about significant differences with the team on several issues, many of which were publicly known e.g. Jan LokPal and FTI and which I had not gone back on) – and oblivious of my tweets within hours of my joining the party (e.g. see these).  His stance was a literal about turn from a few months back but I will let that pass.
Thus ended my association with FTI – a group I had helped come together and supported for the last several years. I feel a little sad about this – particularly the manner in which it was done, the fact that I was given no chance to explain myself, and the feeling that this smacked of extreme high-handedness.
But I shall let bygones be bygones..
I have since been asked to re-apply for membership of FTI. I have not done so yet. If I do, I shall let you all know. For now though, I am continuing with my period of introspection and contemplation. Wish me good sense – and wisdom – in whatever decision I take! Jai Hid, Jai Bharat!
Here are some posts on FTI from the past:Â The start of my Association with FTI, the in-between period and more recently.
P.S. I realise that at least some of you already know about my disassociation with FTI but felt it was important to put this on record. Â I ceased being a FTI member from 27th Dec 2013.
You were forced out of FTI, a group you helped form, as you mention above. You joined AAP and quit after a while.
I wonder about people who marry and divorce multiple times. I am not against divorce; I am against marriage — especially the hasty type.
I like the idea of supporting ideas and not groups or individuals. But that does not mean that groups (or institutions) don’t matter or don’t deserve support; only that I would give them “outside” support without committing myself to the agenda.
Regards,
Atanu
Dear Shantanuji,
You knew all the way that FTI and it’s principles were at complete odds with AAP. I was dismayed when you joined AAP, we at FTI expected a bare minimum courtesy to have been informed of your decision.
I sincerely hope you would apply back to join FTI.
Kind regards,
Anil Sharma
Shantanu,
I guess you know one cant swim in two boats at the same time. You thought you could make a larger impact by joining AAP so you did what you did but that would automatically mean you abandon the first boat because the ideological clarity & sanctity of our self-made rules/norms are something we must stand for. So you should hold no grudges about the way all happened behind you at FTI once you decided to join AAP. A communication to some of the FTI team would have been very apt but you chose the “breaking news” route.
Anyway, as you said let bygones be bygones. With the few interactions I have had with you in person and over e-medium, I am sure you will learn a lot from this entire episode and your commitment to liberal ideas is still strong. It would be great if you would apply again and rejoin FTI & this time lead it from the front.
Regards.
Shantanu
My attention was drawn to this only today, so sorry for my late comment.
You are most welcome to resume FTI membership. Let me make two small points to correct the public positions involved:
a) You were part of the voting on FTI’s General Body in early 2013 that resolved that membership of socialist AAP would lead to automatic termination of FTI membership. You were NOT “forced out” of FTI (as Atanu is implying – who ever gave anyone such an idea!). You CHOSE to leave FTI by joining AAP.
Note that even if you had to join AAP you could very well have let FTI members know in advance, seek their opinion, and persuade FTI to change its earlier resolution and to let you join AAP, as an exception – perhaps for strategic reasons? (I’d have opposed such a resolution, but I’m saying we could have discussed and voted). Instead, joining AAP without any prior consultation with FTI was your unilateral decision.
b) I don’t think I’ve called you – specifically – an opportunist or accused you of lying (pl. cite any email/etc. where I may have said such a thing – this is simply not part of my recollection) but have definitely felt betrayed right through 2013 (and even now) that Indian “liberals” are so confused that they’d actually join AAP. Meera Sanyal as “President” of “Indian Liberal Group” has no business to call herself a liberal now, given her active membership of AAP. And what about Atanu Dey who supports a party that is illiberal in the extreme (cf. its position on gay rights, free speech, ghettoisation of Muslims), apart from being committed to ALL the socialist policies of Congress. Indeed, BJP is worse in that it doesn’t support FDI in retail, even though Congress now somehow agrees to it. The list of ‘liberals’ who betray liberalism (and India) goes on! And JP of Lok Satta is the most recent of them. No consistency of focus/opinion. We need far more clarity among Indian liberals.
The moment you resigned from AAP, however, I was keen to get you back, but there was resistance from one senior FTI member who felt you needed to demonstrate your commitment to FTI’s principles by re-applying. Your joining AAP did leave a bad taste in some people’s mind. So I’ve requested you to re-apply. That shouldn’t be too hard, given you’re not part of AAP and fulfill FTI’s joining conditions. I think it is an over-blown requirement (that you re-apply) but this is just one tick-a- box for you, and trust me, the moment you apply, I’ll be the first to vouch for you and insist on full rehabilitation.
Happy to call over phone to discuss any residual issues you might have in mind.
s