 | This page is a policy on Bharatpedia. Many people agree with it. They see it as a standard idea that all users should follow. When changing this page (except for minor errors like typos), please check that other people agree with your changes. Use the talk page when you are not sure or when you want to suggest a change. |
Civility is a fundamental behavioral policy on Bharatpedia. It requires all editors to treat others with respect, courtesy, and dignity, even during intense disagreements or heated discussions.
Participating in an open encyclopedia requires collaboration among contributors with diverse backgrounds and opinions. Maintaining a civil and polite environment is essential for retaining editors and fostering productive discussion.
Core expectations[edit source]
- Comment on the content, not the contributor: Focus discussions on article edits, policy interpretations, and sources—never on the character, intelligence, or motives of another editor.
- Maintain a calm and respectful tone: Avoid rude, condescending, sarcastic, or aggressive language on talk pages, in edit summaries, or on user pages.
- Respect consensus and process: Accept community decisions gracefully and engage in constructive dialogue rather than forcing your viewpoint through edit wars.
Examples of uncivil behavior[edit source]
Incivility can take many forms. Unacceptable behaviors on Bharatpedia include:
- Personal attacks: Direct insults, derogatory remarks, racial or religious slurs, or disparaging another user's competence or character.
- Harassment: Repeatedly targeting a user across multiple pages, making unwanted contact, or posting private information without consent.
- Hostile edit summaries: Using edit summaries to mock, accuse, or insult other editors.
- Taunting and baiting: Deliberately provoking another user to break civility rules or act emotionally.
- Trolling: Intentionally disrupting discussions, making disingenuous arguments, or inciting arguments for amusement.
Dealing with incivility[edit source]
If you encounter an editor who is acting uncivilly:
- Do not retaliate: Responding to rudeness with rudeness escalates conflict and violates policy on both sides.
- Focus on the issue: Politely steer the conversation back to the article's content and reliable sources.
- Remind calmly: Point the user politely to this policy or leave a friendly note on their user talk page.
- Seek resolution: If the behavior continues, request input from neutral editors, seek informal mediation, or report persistent harassment and personal attacks to administrators.