Brown History Podcast Brown History

Millions of Hindus make up Pakistan's largest non Muslim minority, almost all of whom are underprivileged and live in the province of Sindh. They are treated as second-class citizens and are systematically discriminated in every aspect of life. Hindu women in Pakistan face double discrimination, most notably through forced conversions. These conversions often involve abduction, kidnapping, rape, and forceful marriages. However, many people often see forced conversion as the end goal but in fact, cases of forced conversions are rarely motivated by religious zeal and are instead a consequence of the commodification of and denial of agency to women in a deeply rigid patriarchal society. In today's episode, we sit with Dr. Jürgen Schaflechner, author of 'Hinglaj Devi: Identity, Change, and Solidification at a Hindu Temple in Pakistan' and look at the different beliefs and practices of Hindus in today's Islamic Republic of Pakistan while depicting the complexities behind forced conversions as well as highlighting the economic, social, and political realities of many Pakistani-Hindu women.
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3y8Qgx7
Dr. Jürgen Schaflechner's documentaries: https://www.juergen-schaflechner.com/ethnographic
Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory
Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

During the 1970s and 80s in Britain, South Asians came together to protest against the violent racism and injustice they were facing from the government and from rising facist groups like the National Front. These South Asians, held rallies and marches, protested, and did whatever they had to do to defend and protect themselves. It is the story of how the British Asian community had reached their breaking point and decided to stand up and fight for their right to stay and live in Britain with dignity. In the latest Brown History Podcast episode, as Channel 4 releases their new documentary series – "Defiance: Fighting the Far Right" – a three-part series that examines how Britain’s Asian community was targeted with a campaign of violence and murder between 1976 and 1981, we sit with Suresh Grover, one of UK's leading activists against police brutality, and shed light on this dark chapter in British history. 
 

Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory
Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768



 

In October, the government of Pakistan announced that it would expel all undocumented foreigners, including 1.7 million Afghans—one of the country’s largest immigrant communities. This includes those who were born in, brought up, married, had children, and then they raised their families, all within in Pakistan. Many of them had fled from the Taliban and are terrified of heading back to the Taliban government. In the past month, we've seen heartbreaking scenes where Afghan students bid farewell to their Pakistani classmates with heartfelt hugs, and at the border, long lines of trucks were laden with the possessions of Afghan families. The United Nations agencies and human rights organizations have widely criticized Pakistan's practice of forcefully returning refugees. This is cruelty on a massive scale. In today's episode we sit with Sanaa Alimia, author of "Refugee Cities: How Afghans Changed Urban Pakistan," and delve into a thought-provoking discussion on the intricate dynamics surrounding Afghan refugees in Pakistan. We look at their history, their current situation, and most importantly, we shed light on their humanity.
Get the book: https://amzn.to/46wuQWn
Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory
Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

 

We sit with Indian-American musician, music producer, and songwriter Sid Sriram, who is currently one of the most popular playback singers in India and has recently released his English-language studio album, 'Sidharth'.
Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory
Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

In India, Christians account for about 2% to 3% of the population. However, in the state of Kerala, Christians make up a remarkable 18% to 19% of the total population. And among them, Syrian Christians play a significant role, representing almost half of Kerala's Christian population. Although the Syrian Christians of Kerala are a minority, they are also a caste-, race-, and class-privileged minority that have historically benefited from their privileged position within society. And if the Syrian Christians are the dominant community, then it is also necessary to look at the subordinated communities, as they represent the minority within the minority. Our guest today is Sonja Thomas, author of, 'Privileged Minorities: Syrian Christianity, Gender, and Minority Rights in Postcolonial India' and together we will discuss the Christians of Kerala, specifically the Syrian Christians, and navigate the intricacies of caste, gender, class, race, religion, and language.
Get the book: https://amzn.to/3OD8MUF
Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory
Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768

The Rohingya are widely recognized as one of the most persecuted and vulnerable communities in the world. They are a people that much of the world keeps forgetting. For centuries, they called Burma/Myanmar their home, but being victims of persecution as a result of ethnic cleansing and genocide, they were forced to flee to neighbouring countries. and now, over a million Rohingyas endure life in cramped refugee camps in Bangladesh. Excluded as illegal migrants by both Myanmar and Bangladesh, they face unimaginable hardships, including unemployment, mental and sexual abuse, and the denial of basic human necessities. We sit with journalist Kaamil Ahmed, author of ‘I Feel No Peace: Rohingya Fleeing Over Seas and Rivers,’ and explore the haunting question: has the world failed the Rohingya?
Get the book: https://amzn.to/42M2KFo
Visit our Shop: https://shopbrownhistory.com/
Subscribe to our newsletter: https://brownhistory.substack.com/
Become a patron: https://www.patreon.com/brownhistory
Books covered on the podcast so far: https://amzn.to/42TH768
Photo by Kevin Frayer