No, India is not in the midst of another Covid wave. Yet. At least as far as data is to be believed.
Ours is the problem that has been yours for a while, except for the fact you have managed to stem the tide of fascism for the moment and may even reverse the slide to hell (hopefully). With always the caveat that, like us, many democratic freedoms had not been available to many sections of your society. So, your democracy has always been a work in progress, took a hit, and is now fighting a battle royal against the forces of fascism. But it does hold the position of advantage in terms of President Biden and a Democratic Congress.
India you see, has a far worse case of democratic backsliding. In fact, V-Dem calls us an electoral autocracy.1 We have Hindu nationalists calling openly for genocide of Muslims in Hindu holy places.2 We have Muslims being attacked and harassed during Friday prayers.3 Muslim artisans are being attacked and small traders kept from plying their trade in many regions.4 Christians are being attacked in churches and schools run by them.5 Oppressed caste people are facing attacks with women being the worst hit (though, casteism has always been a problem in India; the rate of crime has increased compared to the decade past).6
But these vigilante cases, which now take place across the Gangetic Plains and have infiltrated into the Southern State of Karnataka, are not all. The Government Of India, under the Hindu Nationalist BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and its allies, has so far:
- Jailed activists, journalists, and lawyers, who provide services to labour and tribes (we call them first nations, Adivasis), without bail.7 Many have been in prison for years without trial. One, Stan Swamy a Jesuit Priest, died in prison.8
- Demoted Jammu and Kashmir from a state to two Union Territories (directly governed by the Union Government) thereby reducing the people’s autonomy.9 Since the Supreme Court of India has been dragging its heels on the issue, we did not even get a judgment on whether this is unconstitutional (it should be, but the SC may ignore that; the SC has given some really terrible judgments in favour of the government and Hindu Nationalists in the past few years). Kashmir has been under brutal suppression for years and both terrorism (Pak-supported) and support for insurgency (home-grown) is on the rise.10 Note: When Kashmir is mentioned, many Indians (including Indian Americans) take offense or mention Kashmiri Pundits. Pundits, the Hindu minority in Kashmir Valley were ethnically cleansed (many murdered) and forced to move out of Kashmir in 1989 and early 1990s. Hundreds of thousands of Pundits left Kashmir for other regions. However, one crime does not solve another. Also, a majority of Kashmiri Muslims has had nothing to do with it.11
- Introduced a citizenship register in Assam (a border state) to identify non-Indians.12 This has led to close to 4 million poor people being categorised as non-citizens despite having documents. A majority of them have been Hindus in Assam. However, the BJP must have expected some Hindus, because they had introduced the discriminatory bill mentioned below.
- Introduced and passed into law a discriminatory citizenship amendment bill that may disenfranchise many Muslims or at least make them live in fear.13 This bill allows Indian government to give citizenship to non-Muslim people from neighbouring countries who settled in India before 2014. What it does is: allow Hindus (and folks from other non-Muslim religions) who may not be able to prove citizenship during the Citizenship registering exercise to regain or apply for citizenship while Muslims who are similarly left out will not be able to do the same. It is anti-constitutional since Indian constitution explicitly forbids discrimination on the basis of religion (plus gender, ethnicity, caste and geography). However, our Supreme Court is yet to hear a case on it.
- Said they would introduce a national level citizenship registering exercise similar to the one introduced in Assam. But they have not yet done so. (See the same source above.)
- Passed many problematic bills that hurt labour and poorer sections and reduced state power (with respect to the Union/federal government) without proper parliamentary debate or support.14 The Farm laws, which was discussed here long back, was one such set of bills. They were repealed in December, again without debate.
- Managed the economy so badly that India has been on a downward economic trend even before Covid 19 hit.15 Around 165 million people have been pushed into poverty in the past few years and the slowing down of economy and unemployment has not been just because of Covid.16 Middle Class has shrunk while inequality has increased.17
- Managed Covid badly leading to hundreds of thousands (millions by some estimates) dead.18
In addition, BJP ruled states have passed laws against eating beef, and conversion—called ‘love jihad’ in the case of women converting to Islam after marriage.19 This prevents women from marrying the men of their choice and some of these laws even void such marriages. A new bill passed by Karnataka State Assembly prevents people from converting to Christianity without a District Magistrate’s approval.20 Again, Supreme Court has been a mute spectator. Freedom of religion, including right to propagate, is a fundamental right in India.21
Now, you may naturally wonder what this has to do with US. After all, US is facing its own crisis regarding Voting Rights and other stuff not to mention a section of the populace hell bent on getting power back and joining with fascists to retain power. But you can still help.
- Modi has tremendous support in US and UK. In fact, when Hindu Nationalism was nascent in India, it was the Hindu Americans abroad that gave them succour.22 It is not just Tulsi Gabbard. Almist 70% of Hindu Americans (50% of Indian Americans) support Modi.23 If you have Hindu American friends, just making it clear that you oppose Hindu Nationalism and casteism may help.
- Follow Hindutva Watch on twitter or go to their organisation webpage.24 They will give you updates about the India situation.
- Call or write to your representatives and ask them to condemn bigotry and harassment of minorities in India.25 I know they have a lot on their plate. But keeping this in mind is important too. Please. The POTUS and the governments have to play politics and India maybe important for US’ geopolitical aspirations in Asia. However, pressure from Indian Americans and US citizens would surely press POTUS and VPOTUS to be more vigilant.
- Support Muslim, Sikh, Christian, and Oppressed Caste Indians in US. Support legislation or efforts ending caste-discrimination in US.26
- If you are Indian American, especially Hindu American, read up on Hindu Nationalism in India and condemn the atrocities in your name.27 Hindu Americans have been harassing academics and activists in US and elsewhere who have spoken about Hindu Nationalism and casteism in India.28 Support those academics and activists. (All of this is something that non-Indian Americans can do too).
- There are times when fighting against Hindu Nationalist India feels extremely lonely. A mention from the US provides much needed comfort that we are not alone. Indian minorities especially I am sure would appreciate it. (I am a Hindu, Privileged Caste Person.)
(You may not like this part.)
Finally, if US does want to be a more inclusive democracy and a beacon for the world, its people cannot remain negligent or indifferent to other cultures and people. Especially because it holds so much power. But, I find that, beyond a few notable exceptions, Daily Kos rarely ever pays attention to the rest of the world despite US’s enormous impact on the world (I will remain diplomatic and not elaborate on that impact. Much). When you discuss it, it is typically in terms of bad Republicans vs. not bad Democrats rhetoric. Is it any wonder that your country manages to take you to war without much protest when many citizens remain ignorant and those who are knowledgeable rarely discuss other countries and cultures with any depth (or unless forced to)? Is it any wonder that your country doesn’t welcome immigrants when you do not discuss or show any interest in other countries and cultures? Is it any wonder that drone strikes continue to kill innocents, and US arms destroy thousands elsewhere? Why doesn’t Daily Kos have a proper Foreign Policy/Foreign Culture section?
I have been coming here since before the elections of 2016, and I rarely see proper pieces on non-US. Even Latin America doesn’t get much mention. I suppose I should not be surprised that the black and brown folks do not get much mention. However even western Europe, those strong allies of US, is neglected. The few honorable exceptions being Prof Denise Oliver Velez and Black Kos folks who have articles on Caribbean, Africa, and Latin America (and Black news from elsewhere), Chitown Kev who includes views from other regions in his APR, Mark Lippman who gives French side sometimes and Ian Douglas Rushlau who used to add roundups earlier in APRs (I hope he is all right).
I hope you will consider changing that.
Be that as it may, I hope your country holds fast against the waves of fascism and take a leap into an inclusive and better world. I am happy for the advances you have made. May you all stay safe.
Thank you for all the great articles that many of your members publish (APRs. Space Stuff and Covid Stuff by Mark Sumner, AKALib, Skralyx. The Language of the Night by Dr Lori. Caribbean Matters by Ms. Dee.) Plus, thank you for the great discussions on Dr Greg’s and Chitown Kev’s APRs. I used to read Meteor Blades’s APRs too when it was there. I do still read the Climate Change articles.)
Thank you for reading this far. A Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. Seasons Greeting to others. A Happy New Year in advance to everyone. May 2022 be better for all of us.
References:
Articles:
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-56393944.
- https://thewire.in/communalism/yati-narsinghanand-dharam-sansad-haridwar.
- https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/communalism/targeting-namaz-hindu-right-wing-outfits-obstruct-muslim-worshippers-in-gurugram/article3751515ece#!
- https://article-14.com/post/in-case-against-muslim-bangle-seller-attacked-mp-police-list-his-attackers-as-witnesses-61c568c002ed6 ; https://theprint.in/india/tripura-mosque-attacks-ground-report-on-what-really-happened-during-those-8-days-in-october/767110/.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/12/2/india-christians-church-hindu-groups-bjp-conversion.
- https://iascurrentaffairs.com/2020/10/01/crime-against-sc-st-rise-for-upsc-ias-current-affairs-prelims-mains/. https://criminallawstudiesnluj.wordpress.com/2020/10/25/the-state-of-undertrial-incarceration-in-india/.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/12/17/india-pegasus-bhima-koregaon/. https://article-14.com/post/the-sudha-bharadwaj-the-govt-doesn-t-want-you-to-know.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-57718356.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/10537286.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/12/08/kashmir-civil-society-khurram-parvez-democracy-summit-india/.
- https://thewire.in/rights/kashmiri-pandits-exile.
- https://thewire.in/rights/assam-nrc-a-history-of-violence-and-persecution.
- https://countercurrents.org/2020/01/what-is-caa-npr-nrc-what-is-its-impact-on-indian-citizens/.
- https://www.bloombergquint.com/economy-finance/why-the-centre-states-relationship-needs-urgent-rescuing. https://www.bloombergquint.com/opinion/farm-laws-repeal-the-constitutional-design-of-factor-market-reform-in-india.
- https://vivekkaul.com/2021/03/08/revealing-the-real-picture-behind-indias-unemployment-problem/.
- https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/03/18/in-the-pandemic-indias-middle-class-shrinks-and-poverty-spreads-while-china-sees-smaller-changes/.
- https://www.thequint.com/news/india/india-poor-very-unequal-world-inequality-report-2022.
- https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/07/20/1018438334/indias-pandemic-death-toll-estimated-at-about-4-million-10-times-the-official-co.
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/up-governor-gives-assent-to-ordinance-on-unlawful-conversion/article33198888.ece.
- https://www.thequint.com/news/india/karnatakas-anti-conversion-bill-ensures-personal-data-collection-police-probe#read-more.
- https://thewire.in/law/mouse-under-the-throne-the-judicial-legacy-of-sharad-a-bobde.
- https://dfrac.org/en/2021/10/20/dismantling-global-hindutva-revealing-its-networks/.
- https://scroll.in/global/986476/indian-americans-are-divided-about-indias-future-but-still-broadly-support-modi-finds-survey.
- https://hindutvawatch.org/ has articles on all the issues mentioned here.
- https://actionnetwork.org/letters/speak-out-against-calls-for-genocide-in-india?source=direct_link&.
- https://www.equalitylabs.org/.
- https://dviyer.medium.com/resisting-hindutva-solidarity-steps-for-indians-and-hindus-in-the-us-52c84e454b27.
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/10/03/india-us-universities-hindutva/.
Books
These books will give you a starting point.
-
Hindu Nationalist Movement in India by Christophe Jaffrelot (and his other works). Internet Archives has some of his works.
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Born a Muslim: Some Truths About Islam in India, Ghazala Wahab.
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Our Hindu Rashtra: What It Is. How We Got Here, and the Price of the Modi Years by Aakar Patel.
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Coming Out as Dalit: A Memoir by Yashica Dutt. Dutt gives references to quite a few books on Caste in India.
Thank you.