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Yesterday, on June 04, 2024, as India’s largest General Election culminated in also one of its longest counting days, we sat in awe of a people wanting to reclaim democratic and electoral integrity, and in anticipation of all that is to come with a new, balanced 18th Lok Sabha. As winds of change cut through the heatwave, we, at IFF, had candid internal conversations about purpose—all that we’ve done in the last five years, and all we want to do going forward. We remembered how we stayed optimistic in the face of adversity and rejoiced in wins which brought us one step closer to a democratic, rights-respecting society. This post is a tl;dr of this very exercise.
In 2019, when India was amidst a critical sociopolitical moment, IFF vowed to preserve democratic principles—as echoed in our constitution and in the works of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar—and hold institutions of power to account. What we as a country witnessed for the following five years, were abundant instances of indefinite and disproportionate internet shutdowns, increasing censorship, pervasive e-surveillance, threats to net neutrality, tech-enabled gender violence, and hate speech. Indians also saw blatant attempts to cement executive power through undemocratic (and sometimes even illegal) means, accompanied by dilution of democratic institutions and constitutional processes, as well as suppression of thoughts, ideas, and the freedom to express. Some of the challenges we collectively faced in the past five years as a nation were unprecedented and posed grave dangers to civil liberties. But even as we routinely confronted these obstacles, we remained committed to defending digital rights and upholding constitutional values.
We recognise the importance of our mission to ensure that forthcoming technological advancements adhere to constitutional principles—by asking (often, difficult, and uncomfortable) questions with courage and mobilising voices to ensure that the Indian public is heard. As the new government for the 2024-2029 term takes oath, we vow to hold our public authorities accountable for the protection, preservation, and advancement of our fundamental rights, regardless of who comes to power. With courage and strategic focus, we will endeavour to advance liberty, equality, fraternity, and social justice in the digital age. We will continue to advocate for principles enshrined in the Indian constitution and expanded upon by judicial interpretation in and out of Courts—and we will work tirelessly towards preserving this progressive and visionary document. Our challenges may increase but we will stand firm against the rising tide of digital authoritarianism, just as we have done in the past. Undeterred by what lies ahead, we remain steadfast to our commitment to digital rights, fueled by our unwavering belief in constitutional values.
Even though the humbling mandate in this Lok Sabha election offered a sliver of hope, the battle for an equitable society is far from won. However, we remain hopeful, continuing to hold on to hope in the face of banal untruths and attacks on voices of dissent and deliberation. The freedom to discuss and to hold the government accountable needs to be reclaimed and latched onto till the end of time. This is a role we will continue to play by bringing campaigners, policy experts, lawyers, technologists, and artists together to build an open, safe, and progressive digital ecosystem that respects human rights. However, as avenues for democratic civic resistance continue to shrink, we need greater, deeper, and more meaningful participation in democratic processes. Engaging with our community is critical for us to grow and stay transparent about our work and vision, not only in the digital rights landscape but also in our broader rights-centric advocacy efforts.
We are a non-partisan registered non-profit born out of a citizen movement, SaveTheInternet.in, which relies on funds from individual giving by Indians, and ensures sustainability through supplementary organisational donations. The beloved IFF community supports our collective vision for a transparent, accountable, and free internet, and we are fueled by that kind of support.
IFF has been a people’s movement since Day 0. Individual donors, like yourself, have consistently stood with us through our victories and losses. As we embrace the audacity to hope, we urge you to join us in our fight to defend our civil liberties. We promise to do our small bit to safeguard our constitutional values in a connected world. Together, we will forge ahead, undaunted by the uncertainties of tomorrow.
Regardless of what comes next, we will keep up the good fight. We will remain committed to the cause.