The Identity Project

India is often referred to as the 'world's largest democracy', yet it has been overrun by an extreme Islamophobic Hindu ideology. In The Identity Project, Rahul Bhatia breaks down what that authoritarian ideology is, what enables it, where it comes from, what happens to those people who oppose it, and what it means for India's citizens. It describes the religious, societal, and technological changes that have brought India to a point at which a nationalist mindset that despises democracy and human rights is spreading fast.
We see detention camps, and explore the organised disinformation factories that sway public opinion in favour of Modi and his government. We visit courtrooms, riot investigations, and libraries to dig up correspondence that shows the extent to which the ideology's shepherds were influenced by fascism. We even enter those supposedly neutral newsrooms, that show us how editorial judgements have changed under government control. Through the eyes of individuals involved, we see how this Hindu Right ideology affects people across society.
We are introduced to the ideas of BS Moonje, one of the ideologues of the Hindu Right. Mukul Manglik, the dashing Delhi University history professor who was attacked by fundamentalist students, and who discusses his frustrations at his inability to penetrate student minds. Two retired historians who documented the rise of Hindu nationalism tell us how scared they were when they made connections between different Hindu groups in the early nineties. Those who travel around the country to comfort families undone by lynchings. Through granular narrative detail, Bhatia tells the story of India today through the stories of its people, and gives them to room to express themselves.