How do you love without patronage and how do you stay angry without slipping into hatred? In this issue, we look at the role that emotions play in Indian politics. There are many questions that this issue puts forth. Exploring the underbelly of everydayness and how emotions fill the scaffolding of politics.
The answer and antidote is the politics of love. In this issue which came out of a discussion with Prof. Ajay Gudavarthy about his book Politics, Ethics and Emotions in ‘New India’, we look at the role that emotions play in Indian politics. There are many questions that this issue puts forth.
Will positive emotions of love, compassion, and care hold similar velocity to counter-mobilise rightwing Hindutva?
The Sangh Parivar has adopted a new strategy to increase its audience. Its members visit households to convert people to the ‘Hindu way of life’
In Telangana’s Karimnagar, RSS volunteers went door-to-door with vermillion and saffron threads to assure women they are with them. It seems to have worked
The RSS has successfully created the narrative of an international conspiracy of consistent efforts to destroy and capture Sabarimala. The decision to open the temple to women of menstruating age is the latest, says the RSS.
A chain of schools is working towards raising children with an understanding of inheriting the ‘world’s greatest civilisation’
Beyond the ideological blame game, beyond the political bickering, what did migrants walking on highways during lockdown teach us?
The Indian diaspora is dealing with a tricky situation—how to be homesick when various sicknesses are afflicting the homeland
Cultural aphasia is emotion’s nether side, eked out of acute narcissism and fear
Why do fairly educated Indian Muslims admire a majoritarian regime elsewhere but oppose Hindutva-driven majoritarianism in India?
Islamophobia or Muslim phobia is being projected as a strategic political emotion to mislead and gain political dividends
The current ideological confusion and obsession with gadgets among the younger generation is leading to deeper psycho-socio-cultural changes in society
Spreading the idea of love is pertinent in the present atmosphere of divisive politics
I felt disgusted. My return to my hometown after a year in India has been tarnished by the current situation. This kind of violence is repulsive, but the sense of horror multiplies manyfold when it takes place around us.
