[IndyMedia Bombay] How to Respond to Boud?

[Shekhar Krishnan]

Dear Everyone:

I want to respond personally, after some distress at reading the 
flurry of e-mails from Boud Roukema. Given that IndyMedia is such a 
new concept in our circles, and that Boud's voice is one of the few 
which comes from the global IMC circles and is authoritative, I am 
worried at the impression generated. I do not believe, or at least I 
had no idea, that we would be submitted to such a ruthless, 
intrusive, and unfair questioning. Boud's postings reflect to me the 
quotations of a bureaucrat inspecting our papers, silently hackling 
at our lack of knowledge of the rules, but soothing us by saying it 
will all work out.

I'm never one for silencing criticism or asking penetrating 
questions. But this is ridiculous, and goes completely against the 
spirit of openness, transparency, and enthusiasm in our meetings and 
other encounters around building the IMC. Boud recommends 
decentralising, but then prescribes to us a minute-by-minute 
presentation we should make to students. He counsels sensitivity on 
caste and class issues, saying he believes our intentions but advises 
us on how to go about recruiting people on the street. I find this 
extremely condescending. Our "application" has been divided and 
annotated like the way a municipal official scrutinises a building 
plan. I feel like I'm in a Kafka novel!

I want everyone on the list, both from Bombay and from other IMCs 
worldwide, to please respond and comment on what direction we should 
take in our dialogue with Boud's concerns. They are legitimate and 
rigorous, but there is a time for questioning which comes in the 
weeks and months ahead. Please everyone tell us how you feel.

Best


Shekhar
_____

Shekhar Krishnan
9, Supriya, 2nd Floor
Plot 709, Parsee Colony Road No.4
Dadar, Bombay 400014
India