Contemporary India Research Articles

Remapping the connections between feminism and secularism: A study of the women’s movements in India and their engagements with religion

ABSTRACT Postcolonial elite inherit not only colonial institutions but also ideologies that animate future directions of institutional apparatus in their societies. This paper argues that the leadership of Women’s Movements in India (WMI) are influenced by their positions within the elite sections of Indian society and the ideologies that are in circulation therein. This also applies to their engagement with religion in contemporary India. It suggests that notwithstanding the efforts made by WMI to engage with difference in relation to the “religious other,” their praxis continues to remain captive to the social locations of its leadership, which in the context of India today remains predominantly urban, English speaking, professionally qualified, Hindu, and upper-caste. Drawing on empirical data and analyzing documented histories of WMI which record the movements’ engagement with religion in the colonized past and in contemporary postcolonial times, this paper attempts a remapping of the connections between feminism and secularism, both of which share a legacy with post Enlightenment liberal humanism, within the postcolonial context of India.

ALIENATION, DIASPORA, AND GLOBALIZATION: REFLECTIONS IN CONTEMPORARY FICTION OF ANURAG MATHUR, ARUNDHATI ROY, AND MANJU KAPUR

In an era marked by unprecedented connectivity, the themes of alienation, diaspora, and globalization have become central to contemporary literature, especially in the works of Indian authors like Anurag Mathur, Arundhati Roy, and Manju Kapur. Their novels resonate with readers worldwide, portraying the impact of globalization on individual identities, familial ties, and societal norms. This paper explores how these authors portray the psychological, social, and cultural repercussions of globalization, displacement, and alienation, particularly through the lens of their protagonists. Focusing on Mathur’s The Inscrutable Americans, Roy’s The God of Small Things, and Kapur’s Difficult Daughters and Home, this paper critically examines how these narratives offer nuanced perspectives on the Indian diaspora, the sense of alienation in a postcolonial context, and the impact of modernity on traditional values. Through an exploration of their unique approaches, this study sheds light on how these works reflect the challenges and transformations of contemporary India within a globalized world.

Change everything so that (almost) nothing changes? Investigating the territorial distribution of solar energy subsidies in rural India

ABSTRACT The current massive rollout of solar energy in India is primarily driven by private investments, with the federal and state governments facilitating sectoral investments with subsidies, preferential licensing and clearances, and corollary investments in transmission infrastructure. In this article, we draw on extensive fieldwork in the states of Rajasthan and Bihar to analytically characterise the solar rollout in contemporary India and advance the existing understanding of the territorial distribution of public solar energy funding. By attending to the multi-scalar modalities of resource allocation in the solar energy sector, our study contributes to an analysis of how public intervention has evolved in rural areas and in the power sector in a context of neoliberalisation and generates insights on the dynamics of distributive politics in contemporary India.

Politics of Secularisation, Religious Conversion, and “Saving” the (Hindu) Daughter under Hindutva: Re-reading the Hadiya Court Case

This article charts the different modalities of political transgression that marked an act of religious conversion and inter-faith marriage performed by a Muslim female subject in contemporary India, and the subsequent misreading of this transgression; a misreading made possible by liberal political thought’s delineations of the conceptual category of “interest”. Existing legal, political, academic, and popular discourses have read the prominent 2016 event of the conversion of a Hindu woman named Akhila into Islam, as either the “false consciousness” of a “vulnerable” individual whose self-interests were unintelligible to herself, or, as an unambiguous case of a “mature” woman in a “modernising” Kerala “choosing” to opt for an inter-faith marriage and to convert; a liberal idiom of choice that thereby needs to be safeguarded via Constitutional provisions. The article, even while acknowledging the political need to adhere to the latter reading/constitution of the female (Islamic) subject’s sovereign desire to convert, shows some of the limitations of both these ideologically antithetical positions. It argues that the desire of Hadiya (Akhila’s new name after converting to Islam) to convert remains unreadable by both the right-wing Indian judiciary, backed up by Hindutva forces, as well as the “left-liberal” feminist intelligentsia that sought to support her autonomy. In fact, both these ideologically opposed stances often legitimised each other. By examining the legal debates that took place in the Indian courts, the article shows how construing Hadiya’s act of conversion solely through the legal-juridical prisms of “religious freedom” and “choice”, pegged to the concept of self-interest, is vigorously insufficient.

The impact of online degree programs on employment opportunities in contemporary India

The contemporary global economy demands a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, yet a persistent gap persists between the skills sought by employers and those possessed by the workforce. Online degree programs have emerged as a transformative solution, offering accessible and flexible pathways for individuals to acquire the skills necessary to meet the demands of the modern job market. However, despite their growing popularity, there remains a research gap in understanding their effectiveness, particularly in India. This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of online degree programs in bridging the skills gap, preparing students for the workforce, and assessing the relevance of their curricula in meeting contemporary job market demands, particularly in India. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including surveys with educators, students, and employers, as well as interviews with industry experts. The findings reveal that online degree programs play a significant role in closing the skills gap and fulfilling job market demands in contemporary India. The curricula of these programs are highly relevant and aligned with industry needs, offering practical learning experiences that enhance students’ employability. Moreover, online education provides an inclusive, flexible, and cost-effective approach to education, enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to access quality education. Overall, this research underscores the importance of online degree programs in preparing individuals for success in a rapidly changing and competitive global economy. By leveraging the full potential of online education, we can create a workforce that is well-equipped to meet current industry needs and adapt to the challenges of the future.

Behind Closed Doors: The Persistence of Domestic Violence in Contemporary Indian Society

Introduction: Domestic abuse is a significant contributor to the nation's misdemeanor index, with destructive behavior in personal relationships where one person attempts to exert control and influence over another. This can occur in dating, marriage, or conjugal relationships and can lead to physical, psychological, or sexual harm. This work aims to explain the underlying reasons for domestic violence, which include various factors such as individual, relational, community, legal, and governmental elements. These components contribute to domestic abuse and its effects on the victim's emotional and physical well-being in daily life. The report also discusses the different forms of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, mental, sexual, economic, and teasing abuse. Objective: To assess domestic violence and its relation to human rights. Methods: The study was conducted in selected areas of Noida, Uttar Pradesh by two data collectors. A total of 60 women were selected using a convenience sampling technique. The questionnaires were checked for completeness, cleaned manually, and entered into SPSS version 25.0 for further analysis. Descriptive statistics were carried out, and associations between dependent and independent variables were checked. Results: The majority of the women (34 or 56.6%) experienced moderate domestic violence, 16 (26.6%) experienced severe domestic violence, and 10 (16.7%) experienced mild domestic violence. The education status of the women was found to be significantly associated with the level of domestic violence, with a p-value of less than 0.05. Conclusion: Urgent action is required to strengthen efforts to reduce violence and improve the availability of information on domestic abuse cases. These statistics are crucial for effectively combating domestic violence against women in India.

Book review: The Political Life of Memory: Birsa Munda in Contemporary India

Book review: The Political Life of Memory: Birsa Munda in Contemporary India

“Hang the Rapists Immediately”: Rape Vigilantism, State Violence, and Impunity in Contemporary India

“Hang the Rapists Immediately”: Rape Vigilantism, State Violence, and Impunity in Contemporary India

EXPLORING CONTEMPORARY INDIAN SOCIETY: THEMES AND NARRATIVES IN ARVIND ADIGA'S “BETWEEN THE ASSASSINATIONS”

This research paper examines the collection of interconnected stories titled "Between the Assassinations" by Arvind Adiga, published in 2008. The paper explores the various themes and narratives presented in the novel, which provides a snapshot of life in the fictional town of Kittur on India's southwestern coast. The study delves into the captivating portrayal of contemporary India, focusing on themes such as caste discrimination, religious tensions, and the impact of urbanization on small towns. Through a comprehensive analysis of the novel, this research aims to shed light on the social, political, and cultural complexities depicted by Adiga, highlighting the struggles, dreams, and aspirations of diverse characters from different walks of life.

Examining Sociocultural Dimensions of Metropolitan Youth Culture in Chetan Bhagat’s Five Point Someone

This paper delves into the sociocultural landscape portrayed in Chetan Bhagat’s novel Five Point Someone to provide insights into the youth culture of metropolitan India. The narrative explores the lives of three protagonists as they navigate the demanding academic environment of an elite engineering institute in Delhi. Through a sociocultural lens, we examine how these characters grapple with societal expectations, peer pressure, and the impact of a rigid educational system on their identities and aspirations. The analysis focuses on key themes such as identity formation, rebellion against tradition, and the clash between individual desires and societal norms. We also investigate the characters' responses to familial pressures, the pursuit of personal goals, and the challenges they face while striving for academic success. This examination of Five Point Someone offers a deeper understanding of the sociocultural dynamics that shape the lives of metropolitan youth in contemporary India. By shedding light on the complexities of their experiences, we contribute to a broader conversation about the evolving youth culture in urban settings.

Navigating Legal Tensions and Cultural Exchanges: Homosexual Rights in Contemporary India

Navigating Legal Tensions and Cultural Exchanges: Homosexual Rights in Contemporary India

Trade Unions in Contemporary India: Revitalisation Strategies and Migrant Workers

This article explores diverse strategies adopted by Indian trade unions (TUs) to counteract their decline, with a specific focus on migrant labour in contemporary India. While studies in the past have analysed unionism and strategies at the nation-state level, this article draws from interviews with senior leaders of the three central Indian TUs to underscore the diversity of approaches among the TUs. It first draws on Frege and Kelly’s work on union revitalisation to make sense of the organisational strategies adopted by unions to adapt to globalisation and neoliberal policies in the context of India’s transition from a command to a market economy, characterised by intricate institutional arrangements and a prevalence of informal labour. It then uses Alberti’s framework that distinguishes between universalistic and particularistic approaches, with a focus on intersectionality, to explore whether Indian TUs adopt the former approach rooted in class identity, or the latter approach based on the intersecting and complex dimensions of inequality experienced by migrant workers. The article finds that individual union strategies vary on account of their historical origins, ideological underpinnings and relationship with the state and the market. It argues that the disconnect between TUs and the vast migrant workforce in India holds critical significance due to the substantial number of migrant workers in the country, their vulnerability to exploitation, and the role their exclusion has played in the TUs’ decline. The article suggests a combination of universalistic and particularistic approaches to bridge this disconnect, and in doing so it offers a novel disaggregated perspective of TU strategies at the subnational level, scrutinising the approaches of three central Indian TUs through an intersectionality lens and advocating for necessary course correction.

The Many Bismils of Today: Ram Prasad ‘Bismil’, ‘Bismil’ Azimabadi and Recovering the Legacy of a Muslim Intellectual

This essay argues that the misattribution of Bismil Azimabadi’s ghazal, ‘Sarfaroshī kī Tamannā’, to Ram Prasad ‘Bismil’ in contemporary India is the work of two poetry anthologies—Krāntī Gītāñjalī [Revolutionary Poetry] (1930) and Krāntī Gītāñjallī Athvā Dūsrā Bhāg [Revolutionary Poetry or the Second Part] (1930), which palimpsested Azimabadi’s poem onto Prasad’s martyrdom to erase Azimabadi’s authorship. I argue, first, that Krāntī Gītāñjalī by Hulas Verma ‘Premi’ edits Azimabadi’s poem to align it with the Congress and the violent martyrdom of the Hindustan Republican Army. Second, looking at the poem’s original context, I argue that it is about the non-cooperation. Third, I argue that Krāntī Gītāñjalī Athvā Dūsrā Bhāg, edited by Lakshman Pathik, muddies the distinction between Prasad and Azimabadi to make it about Hindu nationalism, an idea reproduced in postcolonial India by Madanlal Verma. In conclusion, I suggest that recuperating the poem’s politics may help us rethink Hindu-Muslim relations today.

Uniform Civil Code: a Critical Analysis of Its Application in Contemporary India

The implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India is a contentious issue, considering the country's diverse social fabric. While the Constitution recommends it, challenges arise due to religious sensitivities and political considerations. This research explores the complexities involved, including gender justice concerns and the need for gradual reforms. Public opinion varies, with some advocating for national integration, while others emphasize respecting religious and cultural diversity. Overall, the debate underscores the importance of navigating these complexities to uphold principles of justice, equality, and pluralism in India's legal system.

A Study on the Role of Mobile Advertising in Reaching and Engaging Rural Consumers in India

The rapid use of mobile technology in contemporary India presents marketers with an unprecedented opportunity to engage and build a relationship with rural consumers. More than 60% of Indians reside in rural areas, thus it's critical for companies trying to expand their market share to comprehend the unique demands of mobile advertising in these contexts. This abstract outline the significance of mobile advertising in reaching and interacting with rural consumers in India and highlights the role that it plays as a strategic tool for bridging the gap between urban and rural consumer access and engagement. This study examines the unique characteristics of the rural Indian market, emphasising factors such as a diversity of cultural backgrounds, limited access to traditional media, and shifting socioeconomic conditions. The findings of the study demonstrate the diverse preferences and usage patterns of rural consumers with regard to mobile advertising. Key findings highlight the importance of individualised messaging to build trust, the applicability of content that is relevant for the local and cultural context, and the role that interactive formats have in encouraging participation. These findings are crucial in creating actionable recommendations for marketers trying to maximise the effectiveness of their mobile advertising campaigns targeting rural customers. Keywords: Mobile advertisement, Rural consumers, purchase decision

Patient Advocates for Clinical Research (PACER): A Step Toward Ethical, Relevant, and Truly Participatory Clinical Research in India.

Background Clinical research presents a promising path for improving healthcare in contemporary India. Yet, researchers identify gaps in trust, awareness, as well as misconceptions about being a '"guinea pig." We proposed building the capacity of training patient advocacy groups (PAGs) in patient-centered clinical research and through them creating aware patients as research partners. Methodology Patient Advocates for Clinical Research (PACER) is a tiered program to share information and education about clinical research with PAGs. Tier one is a self-paced online learning course, followed by workshops on clinical research, Good Clinical Practice, research consent, case studies, and group discussions. Results A total of 20 PAGs represented by 48 participants, active in areas of pediatric cancer, breast cancer, multiple myeloma, type I diabetes, spinal muscular atrophy, sickle cell disease, and inflammatory bowel diseases, participated. Among 48 participants 30 successfully completed the online course (multiple-choice question evaluation score cut-off >70%), attaining an average score of 23.9 ± 2.1 out of 30. Overall, 48 participants attended workshop 1 and 45 workshop 2, with 140 participants joining the focus group discussion (FGD). An overall improvement of 9.4% (𝜒2 = 46.173; p < 0.001) for workshop 1 and 8.2% (𝜒2 = 25.412; p < 0.001) for workshop 2 was seen in knowledge gain about clinical research. The FGD raised issues such as misleading information from research teams, unethical recruitment, incomprehensible information sheets, and limited trial-related knowledge fostering fear of participation in clinical research. Conclusions Multimodal and tiered learning of clinical research such as that used by PACER has a good participatory and learning response from PAGs and may be further explored.

RAM MANOHAR LOHIA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SOCIALIST THOUGHT IN INDIA: A CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE

This research paper critically evaluates Ram Manohar Lohia's contributions to socialist thought in India, examining the practicality, relevance, and impact of his socialist ideals on Indian society and politics. Through an analysis of Lohia's key principles, socio-political context, and historical legacy, this study provides a nuanced understanding of Lohia's role in shaping the socialist discourse in India. The paper explores Lohia's emphasis on economic equality, decentralization, and village-centric development, highlighting how these ideas were shaped by his experiences in the Indian independence movement. While Lohia's ideas resonated with many and influenced post-independence socialist thinking, they also faced criticisms regarding their feasibility and practicality in the diverse Indian socio-economic landscape. The conclusion offers a final assessment of Lohia's contributions, acknowledging their significance while also recognizing the complexities involved in implementing socialist principles in India. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research, including exploring the enduring relevance of Lohia's ideas in contemporary India and conducting comparative studies with other socialist thinkers and movements globally.

‘The Irregular’ and the Unmaking of Minority Citizenship: The Rules of Law in Majoritarian India

This article focuses on the important aspect of India's democratic decline, the ascendance of the Hindu majoritarian state, and its relationship with the law. It argues that the law is central to the Hindu majoritarian project but often in obscurely informal ways. India's majoritarian state seeks to radically reconfigure the law in Indian social life by making the rule of law inapplicable to its minorities. Through a series of examples drawn from the everyday socio-legal life in contemporary India, the article shows how arbitrary and extralegal state violence is endorsed, affirmed, and acquiesced on grounds of serving ethnonationalist values and interests. It theoretically develops the novel interpretive framework of ‘the irregular’ to capture the practices of the ethnicization of the law, ethnonationalist legitimisation of extra-legality through intense political mobilisation, and the production of subordinated minority citizenship without the formal incorporation of graded citizenship.

The Resilience of Caste through Yashica Dutt’s Coming Out as Dalit: A Memoir (2019)

India, the largest democracy in the world, has experienced important social advances since its independence in 1947, such as the abolition of untouchability, one of the oldest forms of social segregation and discrimination whose major victims have been the Dalits. The situation of Dalits has undergone a series of changes in the second half of the 20th century due to various phenomena, including the industrialisation of India, the influential social work of Dalit activists and thinkers such as B. R. Ambedkar, and the passing of legal provisions for Dalits’ social inclusion, political emancipation and protection of rights. All these factors, along with a relative democratisation of education, have prompted this historically oppressed group to build a voice.&#x0D; &#x0D; Since then, Dalit literature has progressively become a platform through which past and present injustices committed against this community are exposed. Lately, the impact that democracy has had on the lives of Dalits has been a questioned topic and Yashica Dutt’s Coming Out as Dalit: A Memoir (2019) is an interesting gateway to it. The author’s gender and geographical position and her particular experience with ‘Dalithood’ result in an unusual but necessary insight into Dalits’ state of affairs in contemporary India. Thus, using Dutt’s memoir as a lens, this paper aims to examine the conditions that led to the perpetuation of a learned helplessness among Dalits, the shortcomings of Sanskritisation as an escape strategy from casteist stigma and the implications of the reservation system set for India’s Depressed Castes.

Authoritarianism and majoritarian religious nationalism in contemporary India

AbstractThis first article in the 2024 World Affairs special issue examines the Narendra Modi regime in India. Often acerbic political rhetoric is attached to official policies of the regime, creating fear and hopelessness within sections of the population. In this study, five sets of political activities of the government are evaluated. First, cultural authoritarianism became apparent with complicity toward “cow vigilantism,” slapping sedition charges against those showing political dissent, banning the history books of selected progressives, and stereotyping sections of the left and liberals as antinationals. Second, the demonetization policy was implemented without adequately following the economic protocols of the state. Third, the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganization Bill indicates the thwarting of democratic and federalist ideas. Fourth, the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens exercise in Assam demonstrate the communal‐fascist worldview of the regime in profiling population groups. Finally, the sloppy handling of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the new Information Technology rules show the government's callous approach toward science and privacy. By analyzing such political activities, the article points out that majoritarian religious nationalism, coupled with authoritarianism, has been the ideological expression of the Modi regime, coexisting with both state surveillance and electoral democracy.