The memoir elaborates in detail on how the essence of Hindu communalism is social exclusion, while the essence of Ambedkarism lies in social inclusion.
Basanta Utsav is held each year in March on the Full moon day of Falgun. Spring is welcomed through music and dances. It literally means the ‘celebration of spring’.
In these strange times, even universities and the students are being targeted. Reading provides a refuge, or as some may call it, an escape from the everyday theaters of eccentricities and violence. It was a respite to pick up The Nehrus in Prison (2016) by Mushirul Hasan.
There are two definitions of identity politics. The first is the effort to secure the rights denied to some on the basis of their identity—defensive identity politics. The second is that which seeks domination on the basis of identity—aggressive identity politics. Aggressive identity politics espoused by the majority is thought to be ‘natural and benign’. And identity politics, as practised by the blacks, the Asians, the minorities and the disadvantaged, is thought to be ‘dangerous, indulgent and damaging’.
It is saddening that the government is not only apathetic towards irrational ideas on health on the contrary is subtly promoting them. Use of Cow urine, Astrology in the hospitals, the ‘Garbh Vigyan Sanskar’ by Arogya Bharti advising couples to recite Shlokas so as to have customized babies of their choice – the Uttam Santati are few examples.
Regardless of how politically or historically astute a person is, if he or she does not have the funds needed to first enter and then conduct a campaign…” Money talks..!” This sad reality trickles down to even local political contests.
It explores the everyday Hindu-Muslim strifes in the U.K (Upar Kot, not to be confused with the United Kingdom), a part of the town of Aligarh (130 kms southeast of Delhi) in Uttar Pradesh, since the 1990s.
