Partition to ‘Partitions of the heart’: Trajectory of Communal Violence in India | Harsh Mander
In this compelling episode, Harsh Mander—a former civil servant, activist, and writer—delves into critical issues facing India.
He begins by sharing his journey into and out of civil services. From handling riots as a civil servant to working extensively for relief and rehabilitation of victims of communal violence to further working as a researcher studying and writing extensively on the theme. He examines the historical trajectory of communal violence in India, from partition to the Gujarat massacre in 2002 to lynching as an emerging phenomenon of communal violence in India.
He discusses the rise of the Hindu right, multiple failures of secular parties, and the crisis of non-belonging felt by the Indian Muslims today. Additionally, and most importantly, he sheds light on why the Communal Violence Bill failed and the politics behind it. Mander tackles questions around lynching versus mass violence, the evolution of the far-right, and what it will take to build a more inclusive India. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that dissects the challenges and explores the vision needed for India’s future.