DN: Arundhati Roy on Fascism in India

In these two videos, DN interviews Arundhati Roy who talks about her latest novel, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness. Roy provides an insightful analysis of the history and political dynamics of Hindu Nationalism and fascism in India, and populist counter-movements in India. Roy relates that the caste system is being reinforced, Dalits are being pushed out of jobs, subjected to rape and violence and forced back into a degraded social position.

My only objection to Roy’s statements is that the Dalit character in her novel ‘follows the example’ of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to leave Hinduism by becoming a Muslim, not a Buddhist. I think that misrepresents the life and work of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar who investigated all major religions in India, including Islam, but made the ultimate choice to become a Buddhist.

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