I am writing my thoughts on the discussion evoked by Rajendar's post. 1. Why are we demanding the responsibility of protecting democracy from those who show responsibility in their responses and not from those who
behave otherwise? If 99 per centage of a community are rule abiding there is every possibility of them accommodating a freerider as they could afford it.Whatif 100 per centage are free riders? what will be the rule by which they could coexist? I am not against anarchy, but would like to hear from those who demand democracy from moderators here. 2.From the happenings of late, I find Rajeender as a person interested in protecting one's private space. His statements are part of a hegemonic patriarchal discourse which silences certain minorities. I wonder why none of his supporters/friends demand responsibility from him. Though he comes up with 'ironic' apologies at regular intervals, his supporters seem to be more enthusiastic and ready to fight till death for his right to resort to personal abuse!! 3.Is it what really happens or the mere words 'moderation' and 'censorship' which incited readymade responses? how many of us are aware of the procedures by whch a google group is functioning? What exactly is the difference between the procedures before and after the appearence of the 'Moderation' announcement? What if they just went ahead with moderation and no such announcement came through? 4.Well, I am not in the least surprised by this sort of ready made response from Malayali friends. The traditional left intellectuals sponataneously react to fascist tendencies in north India or Latin Ameraica [ no irony implied. ] but neglect or oppose every attempt by other minorities to raise similar experiences within the state. There is an apolitical consensus among them which is shared by media as well. What happened to movements by Adivasis and sexual minorities is a case in point. [Sorry to Cheriyan,] being a native of Kannur, whenever I think of CPIm, I am reminded of fascism, not democracy! 5.I personally find this space more democratic than the malayalam print / visual media bacause the moderators there don't even allow certain discussions . The 'moderators' there are censoring voices on lot many crucial issues. Nobody care to protest as all are dependent on the same media.No, it is not merely a problem of management interests. We had to wait till the Media Syndicate turning against the Party Syndicate [ another fascist arrangement] to see somebody crticising it publicly. Though 'syndicate ' might be an inflated term, I do believe there is a consensus and informal sharing/ planning of news among Kerala's media practitioners. I am happy that this space destabilises that apolitical consensus [ masquerading as left radicalism] . 6.Attacking the authers personally instead of encountering the arguments put forward is the rule not the exception in malayalam print media. So I request all not to fall into that trap here as well. Sorry, Rajendar, I won't post your 'abusive' mail here.Nor is it an abuse to me as you are not a stranger to me. -- Dileep Raj Tel: 09447316701 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
