Ramachandra Guha on Hindutva history, economics of majoritarian politics | NL Interview: Teaser

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As a public intellectual and chronicler of modern India, Ramachandra Guha has observed and written about a wide range of events and philosophies that have shaped the country. He has authored a number of books, including the widely acclaimed 'India After Gandhi'.

In this interview with Abhinandan Sekhri, Guha talks about the evolution of democracy across the world and how it has come under threat in India since 2014. Reflecting on the past decades, he draws parallels between the current political landscape and the 1970s, and says the economic situation was sound during the coalition years. On Independent India’s early years, he maintains that #Nehru’s pluralistic philosophy strengthened inclusivity despite the #Partition, but that many of his economic policies were flawed.

India is now becoming a “Hindu Pakistan”, Guha says, while comparing the majoritarian politics of #NarendraModi and #IndiraGandhi. He says #Hindutva history is aimed at “portraying Muslims as evil and Hindu as noble”, calling it an “impoverished, pathetic view of history”.

On the 15-year anniversary of India After Gandhi, the writer also talks about the challenges he faced while writing the book and how it became a journey of discovery for him.

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