The mails I had posted in response to the statement by the FSF-I Board on the FSF-friends and FSUG-Bangalore mailing lists have been vandalised.
See
http://mm.gnu.org.in/pipermail/fsug-bangalore/2008-November/002447.html
http://mm.gnu.org.in/pipermail/fsf-friends/2008-November/005788.html
I am CC'ing all the currently listed list admins and RMS.
To whoever did this: You cannot silence our voices by simply deleting mail content.
I am resending my response.
Greetings,
From http://www.gnu.org.in/board-statement-on-recent-issues
<quote>
9. Are the members of the Director Board of FSF India elected?
<snip> As mentioned
in the answer to an earlier question, FSF India is not a mass movement
and is not a democratic organisation. The purpose of FSF India, as of
FSF, is to provide guidance to the Free Software movement. This purpose
could be easily defeated if it is made into an elected body.
</quote>
India
is
considered one of the biggest democracies in the world and the Free
Software Movement is for the democratisation of technology and
knowledge. However, the namesake of FSF in India ie., FSF-India, whose
role is to lead the Free Software Movement has clearly defined itself
as undemocratic.
Let us take things objectively to analyse, debate and come to some sort of an understanding.
Democracy,
transparency and openness are considered the pillars of the free
software movement. We talk about free(or open) standards, free
knowledge, etc.. and then we hear "Democracy? That is only for theory."
How can one ensure democratisation of knowledge if one is undemocratic?
The Board of FSF-I may have to (re)read the works of Eben Moglen
and actually implement it in their functioning. I think the following
quote of Eben Moglen is important in this context. From
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Transcript_of_The_System_Of_Ownership_Of_Ideas
"Haven't you heard," we say, "The era of presidents for life is over.
We are holding elections, here. Here, we made this, its called
democracy. Would you like some? Take it, its free."
In solidarity with the Free Software Movement,
Vikram Vincent