The Admin and team at India-Forums

The website India-Forums is in its own words the "no.1 discussion forum" on Indian entertainment and is a website reputed among industry professionals from India as well. It is based in India and meant for users from India, Indians around the world and fans from other countries who appreciate entertainment content from India.

It is among top sites that come up whenever one searches online for shows, celebrities, films and even general articles related to India. It has lasted for over 10 years, which in itself is a huge achievement for any website. It has members from India and other parts of the world who connect over India based entertainment. Its members have been its loyal users for years, which in itself is an exceptional achievement in the age of social media and ever expanding, constantly changing nature of world wide web. The website has become a respected brand of its own, having also been referenced in leading national newspapers and magazines of India.

Given how celebrities, industry professionals, media and fans from India and other countries are known to access India-Forums, it is further imperative to maintain high standards in its content and usage. The reputation of a website is influenced by member experience also. 

It is expected and hoped that members get a safe, conducive, respectful and peaceful environment in the use of this site, which they have been a part of, for long or joined recently in enthusiasm. The moderators and development team, no doubt work hard in ensuring smooth running of the site. But there is an issue which has bothered many members, time and time again.

Of late, posts bashing India & Indians, mocking Indian culture, abuse, hatred towards Indians, making gross generalisations about India and Indians and blatant stereotyping of India and Indians and anything Indian has been on the rise on India-Forums.com in many sections of the website. Often we report against such posts and comments but still no action is taken and unhealthy country/community bashing online wars ensue. This spoils member experience on the site and has also forced certain members to leave the site. 

A country as vast as India cannot be judged merely on basis of isolated experiences of one individual or on basis of fictional films and TV shows, neither on basis of selective news reports or few online comments.

Debating issues, genuine criticism and questions and debates on the country, its culture, beliefs, laws and government, satire, humour are all fine and acceptable.

But outright hateful comments, abusive language, gross generalisations, baseless allegations, blatant stereotyping, mocking, racism; and bashing even despite getting explanations; persistent hateful or mocking comments, often made in ignorance or on purpose, are not in good taste and are not acceptable. Even the one posting any clarification or explanation about the country is labelled, mocked and dismissed, and is accused of jingoism instead! This is not a sign of healthy discussion or debate.

Such comments and threads are reported and often there is no action on them or action is taken too late.

Therefore we request:

- Please take this issue seriously as moderators take other issues.

- Timely action on such hateful, derogatory, abusive, mocking, stereotypical comments,

- warning or cautionary note in such threads,

- increase in warning level of persistent violators (just as celeb bashers get WL raise)

- lock or delete such threads

- keep track record of MIDs that purposely and regularly login only to make such topics and write comments bashing Indians comparing countries unfairly and causing fights; and ban them

- Please uphold that basic decorum will be maintained and it cannot be violated in name of freedom. 

- Please take note and uphold that every country has its own laws, way of life, unique set of issues and one like India has diverse culture. Even the term "Indian culture" is not one entity but encompasses many different subsets of cultures across its states. We have differences and might not always agree. Whether we agree or not, differences in countries and cultures call for certain respect even in disagreement and not outright mocking and hate, or attempts to bully, defame and shame the persons and the country for not agreeing to other person's point of view about how lifestyle ought to be. One country's way of life, might not necessarily be other country's way of life - it is a basic fact, that needs to be acknowledged.

- Please ensure a respectful, conducive environment for all members (including Indian ones) on website. Country bashing spoils user experience over time. Ensure respect, guilt free, bashing free, bullying free discussions on India and I-F events related to India.

We can no longer be silent or be expected to ignore and move on. The site name is "INDIA" Forums and many members, most visitors are from India, the shows and news covered on it are about India, therefore, atleast address Anti Indian and India Bashing sentiments on the website, on priority.

We would like to clarify that we do not want special favours or only praise for India. We are not against any other country or community. We are not for hampering members' participation.

Just that STOP the India bashing and stop ignoring concerns related to India and Indians. Please take timely action. 

Respect is mutual. Irrespective of differences, basic respectful decorum is a must. You give respect and get respect. This is a call to action for respect. 

We sincerely hope the team at India-Forums will take our concerns in consideration and take concrete steps towards positive change.