In this inaugural episode of Going South, we delve deep into the evolving socio-political landscape of India with Aakar Patel, renowned journalist, author, and human rights advocate. From his incisive critique of India's shift toward Hindu majoritarianism in Our Hindu Rashtra to the metrics of democratic decline detailed in Price of the Modi Years, Patel provides a compelling overview of a nation at a crossroads. The conversation explores the structural transformation of India’s democracy, the weaponization of laws like UAPA and anti-conversion statutes, and the erosion of freedoms under a growing ethnonationalist agenda. Patel shares his personal experience leading Amnesty International India through a period of unprecedented state crackdowns on civil society. This episode also addresses the global ramifications of India’s political trajectory, its reception in international fora, and the challenges faced by the diaspora advocating for human rights. Through Patel’s insights, we examine the broader implications of these developments on freedoms of expression, movement, and religious practice, alongside a critical look at recent criminal code reforms. Join us for an eye-opening discussion about India’s present and future, set against the backdrop of elections, human rights struggles, and international diplomacy. Bio: Aakar Patel is an Indian journalist, author and social activist. He was the head of Amnesty India between 2015 and 2019 and since then has been the Chair of Amnesty International’s Board in India. His book, Price of the Modi Years has become a popular socio-economic entry point to understand ‘Modinomics’. In his first book, Our Hindu Rashtra: What It Is. How We Got Here he talks about the arrival a Hindu majoritarian India using its existing constitutional apparatus. As a journalist, Aakar has written pieces reflecting on the declining state of India’s institutions, attacks on civil society, state of human rights and regressing democracy. His works have appeared in several notable platforms like The Wire, Livemint, National Herald and Business Standard.Reading List: House Resolution 745 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): Urges India to restore communication and end mass detentions in Jammu and Kashmir while safeguarding religious freedom. Library of Congress, State Anti-Conversion Laws in India: Overview of state-level laws regulating religious conversions in eight Indian states. The Guardian, “Amnesty to halt work in India due to government witch hunt”: Amnesty International ceased operations in India in 2020 after facing financial and political harassment. European Parliament, Motion for a Resolution on India’s Citizenship Amendment (Act): Critiques the law for violating international norms and highlights government crackdowns. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Report on the Situation of Human Rights in Kashmir: Developments in the Indian State of Jammu and Kashmir from June 2016 to April 2018, and General Human Rights Concerns in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan:TDocuments human rights violations in Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including excessive force by Indian security forces. Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Update of the Situation of Human Rights in Indian-Administered Kashmir and Pakistan-Administered Kashmir from May 2018 to April 2019: Follow-up report detailing continued human rights abuses in the Kashmir region. U.S. Department of State, International Religious Freedom Report: Examines the decline of religious freedom in India, focusing on anti-conversion laws. USCIRF , Annual Report: Tracks India’s status as a country of concern for religious freedom since 2020.Aakar’s work Why I Write: Essays By Saadat Hasan Manto (Tranquebar, 2014) Our Hindu Rashtra: What It Is. How We Got Here (Westland, 2020) Price of the Modi Years: A History of India Since 2014 (Westland, 2021)
