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"Ignore all rules" (IAR) is a foundational rule of Bharatpedia. It states:
> If a rule prevents you from improving or maintaining Bharatpedia, ignore it.
While this rule seems simple, it is often misunderstood. This page clarifies what "Ignore all rules" actually means and how to apply it in practice.
What "Ignore all rules" means[edit source]
- Rules are not written in stone: Rules on Bharatpedia exist to serve the community and help build a free, open, and reliable encyclopedia. If a rule hinders that goal in a specific situation, common sense should prevail.
- Focus on building an encyclopedia: The ultimate goal of Bharatpedia is to create accurate and neutral content. Process and bureaucracy are secondary to this goal.
- Be bold, but responsible: You do not need to read or memorize every policy before contributing. If an action clearly improves an article and makes sense, do it!
What "Ignore all rules" DOES NOT mean[edit source]
"Ignore all rules" is **not** a wildcard or a free pass. It does not mean:
- A license to disrupt: You cannot use IAR to justify edit-warring, personal attacks, vandalism, or pushing a biased point of view.
- An excuse to ignore consensus: If other editors object to your action or explain why a policy applies in a given context, you must discuss it on the talk page and build consensus rather than unilaterally enforcing IAR.
- Exemption from core principles: Key principles such as maintaining a Neutral Point of View, avoiding copyright infringement, and treating other contributors with civility are fundamental to the existence of the project and should not be ignored.
- That rules do not matter: Policies and guidelines exist because they reflect community wisdom and experience. They should be followed in almost all standard cases.
How to use IAR in practice[edit source]
Before ignoring a rule, ask yourself:
- Will my action genuinely improve Bharatpedia for readers and contributors?
- Would a reasonable editor agree that breaking or ignoring this specific procedure makes the encyclopedia better in this instance?
If the answer to both is "yes," proceed with confidence. If another editor questions your edit, politely explain your reasoning on the talk page and work together toward a consensus.