Arundhati Roy is a well-known Indian author, critic, and great intellectual of the 21st century. She usually writes on gender, the environment, and human rights issues. However, the content of Arundhati Roy’s writing focuses on feminist perceptions, post-colonial dimensions, politics, literary tourism, and her Indianness. Moreover, she has penned several fictional and non-fictional books as well, such as “The God of Small Things, the Ministry of Utmost Happiness, Kashmir, The Case for Freedom, and The End of Imagination.” Her significant masterpiece “Azadi or Freedom, Fascism, Fiction” is a collection of nine essays, some written for magazines and periodicals, and some delivered as public lectures between 2018 and 2020
This book gives a strong criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership of the BJP and his attachment to RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha) and its fascist Hindutva ideology and how that It has influenced politics, polity, and society. Basically, Hindutva has been derived from a Neo-Sanskrit term, ‘Hinduness. ‘Nonetheless, the origin of Hindu nationalism in India dates to the early 20th century. It holds a staunch belief that Hindus have been subjugated historically.
They were victims of Muslim invaders and imperial powers, who made them victims in their native land. It promotes a kind of hatred and bigotry against Muslims in India. Furthermore, the Hindutva ideology holds that Muslim rule in India was disastrous. Hindus suffered widespread destruction, widespread religious suppression, and economic deprivation. V.D. Savarkar, the RSS’s founder, held a similar belief that hatred for Muslims was widespread. It considerably divides the nation and unites Hindus.
Moreover, Arundhati Roy vibrantly and bravely delineates the burning crimes in Kashmir; the establishment of anti-Muslim laws such as CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act)and NRC(National Registration of Citizens) along with the abrogation of articles 370 and 35 under the Narendra Modi government that strip Kashmiris of their fundamental rights such as the ability to purchase land, unmovable property, to vote, to contest elections, and seek government employment and other available state benefits. Besides, she implicates, “What India has done in Kashmir over the last 30 years is unforgivable.”
Regrettably, an estimated 70,000 people – civilians, militants, and security forces – have been killed in the conflict, but the cry for “Freedom” has been running in Kashmir for many decades. She also focuses on Hindu nationalism, which aims to create a Hindu-dominated society and divide India by eliminating decades of socio-cultural diversity. For instance, Roy calls out the “doctrine of One Nation, One Language, One Religion, One Constitution” being imposed on a region that is “not a country”. However, it is rather a “continent”—”more complex and diverse, with more languages—780 at last count, excluding dialects—than all of Europe”.
Additionally, she highlights that month after Moody was appointed Chief Minister of Gujarat, the worse, communal riots broke out. Militant Hindus arranged arsons and claimed the lives of Muslims in the vogue of impunity. It came against the backdrop of Muslims having torched 58 Hindus on a train. The state of Gujarat, law enforcement agencies, and all institutions were complicit in this heinous act. Official statistics revealed that 850 Muslims lost their lives in these riots. The unofficial records and sources confirmed that more than 2000 Muslims lost their lives, and 150,000 Muslims sought refuge in camps for the safety of their lives.
Hence, this is how she explains “Moodism”, or “Hindu nationalism” and “Hindutva ideology” that breeds hatred and animosity against Muslims and legitimizes violence against “rights groups” in India. She suggests that civil society must stand up to Moody’s inspired fascist militants in India.
To all those who wish to read the truth that is neither exaggerated nor mixed up with fabricated lies, this enlightening divulger masterpiece is for you. Arundhati Roy is not only a responsible and eloquent writer but also a kind, fearless, and courageous woman with the audacity to reveal secrets based on pure truth, and this book is a ray of hope in a time of false propaganda in which people’s minds are constantly bombarded with fake paid media content.
During this era of misinformation where lies are told so repeatedly that people start believing in them, it is even rare and lucky to find impartial content that exposes fascism, violence, hate, and animosity deeply rooted through organized networks in a beautiful country like India. Arundhati has become the voice of the oppressed and voiceless. She is advocating for people who were portrayed in the worst possible ways. She is bravely telling untold stories and unraveling mysteries, risking her life in a land where monsters of extremism and capitalism devour those who dare to speak and ask.
