Berges retweetledi
Given the escalating reputational attacks over the past few days, a few things:
(1) I will respond only in a limited way that does not distract from my mission and, where I can, I will use these attacks to advance IFF’s work strategically. This means building stronger roots within IFF’s community, supporting those who may be incidentally targeted, and, most importantly, focussing on the pace and quality of our work. My core value is public service to the people of India, and I feel great joy in devoting my life’s energy to it, as a lawyer and through my social work.
(2) While I have every right and the resources and means to pursue legal remedies, many people know that I do two jobs and have a full personal and professional life. I would rather spend that time playing with my cats, reading a book or going for a run than prosecuting a troll. Those who know me and my work, at IFF and beyond, will not be swayed by disinformation campaigns that are being made in bad faith in order to put me and IFF at a perception of risk.
(3) IFF has practised radical transparency in its finances and will continue to do so. Even when not required by regulation we make proactive disclosures which are detailed and provide a deep insight of how much money we get, who funds us and where it is spent. It is this data which is being used to attack me and IFF. Our books are audited and clean, and each month hundreds of Indians from all walks of life donate to us. Risk assessment is built into all our financial reporting and compliance processes. We intentionally keep a small budget and team so that IFF survives even in the absence of institutional funding, and we have not received any grants this financial year. If you can, please do consider donating to IFF.
(4) The same transparency extends to the nature of our work, which is undertaken under a three-year strategic plan that has been put through public consultation. It is wholly directed at advancing the objectives of the Constitution of India as technology becomes ever more deeply embedded in our lives and in structures of power and profit. We will fight the violation of fundamental rights by the state or technology companies without compromising our principles, bound only by the constraints on our capacity. Our work on platform accountability or even state governments ruled by opposition parties is in the public domain.
(5) My personal political orientation is progressive, secular and left of centre. I am imperfect on all these counts. For years I have described myself as a social democrat, and this has been a continuing process of learning for me. I have family, friends, collaborators, supporters and clients across the political spectrum, and I cherish the diversity they bring to my life. I deeply believe that every Indian is entitled to the full measure of their constitutional rights, irrespective of their political orientation and this adds to the richness of our society that manifests in food, language, culture and values that are developed over time. As an Indian, a constitutionalist and a practising Hindu (which is my private system of ritual, belief and connection to my family customs), I will continue to fight the coercive forces of digital authoritarianism.
This is my first and last response on this matter. From here on, my only response will be to resume sharing my public writing and IFF’s work on X. Have a great day folks and don’t forget to drink enough water!
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