The Quest for Decolonization: A Review of J Sai Deepak's India, Bharat and Pakistan

India, Bharat and Pakistan Book Review

Name: India, Bharat and Pakistan

Launch: 23 August 2022

Author: J.Sai Deepak

Genre: Religion, Politics

Rating: ★★★★

Buying Link: Amazon

India, Bharat and Pakistan is a book by J Sai Deepak, a scientist and author, who explores the historical and constitutional journey of the Indian subcontinent, from the rise of Islamic revivalism in the 18th century to the present day. The book, published in 2022, is the second volume of the Bharat Trilogy, a series that aims to decolonize the history and identity of Bharat, the successor state of the Indic civilization. The book is a challenging and enlightening read for anyone interested in the politics and society of India and its neighbors.

The book begins with a question: What kind of a Hindu Rashtra is this? The author then proceeds to answer this question by presenting a series of facts and arguments that show how Bharat has been subjected to the combined influence of European and Middle Eastern colonialities, which have shaped its constitution, laws, policies, education, media, and culture. He exposes the hypocrisy and double standards that pervade the Indian state and society, which claim to be secular and democratic, but in reality are biased and oppressive towards the Indic civilization and its people. He also exposes the lies and myths that have been propagated by the anti-Indic forces, such as the secularists, the leftists, the Islamists, and the missionaries, who have demonized and vilified the Indic civilization and its culture.

The main part of the book consists of eight chapters, each dealing with a different aspect of the Indic plight. The author lists eight reasons why Bharat is not a Hindu Rashtra, but a sandwiched civilization, caught between the colonial legacies of Europe and the Middle East. These are:

• Bharat is denied the right to practice and celebrate its religion freely and peacefully, while other religions are given special privileges and protection.
• Bharat is denied the right to its ancestral land and property, while other religions are given free land and subsidies.
• Bharat is denied the right to its historical and cultural heritage, while other religions are glorified and whitewashed.
• Bharat is denied the right to its educational and professional opportunities, while other religions are given reservations and exemptions.
• Bharat is denied the right to its temples and religious institutions, while other religions are given autonomy and funding.
• Bharat is denied the right to its justice and security, while other religions are given appeasement and impunity.
• Bharat is denied the right to its identity and dignity, while other religions are given respect and recognition.
• Bharat is denied the right to its voice and representation, while other religions are given influence and power.

The author supports his claims with ample evidence and citations from various sources, such as the constitution, the laws, the court judgments, the government reports, the media articles, the academic studies, and the personal testimonies. He also provides relevant examples and anecdotes from his own experience and observation, as well as from the history and current affairs of the subcontinent. He does not mince his words or sugarcoat his opinions, but speaks the truth as he sees it, without fear or favour.

The book ends with a call for action and a vision for the future. The author urges the Bharatiyas to wake up and fight for their rights and dignity, before it is too late. He also appeals to the non-Bharatiyas to join hands with the Bharatiyas in creating a truly secular and democratic subcontinent, where all citizens are equal and free. He proposes a set of reforms and solutions that can address the problems and challenges that plague the sandwiched civilization. He also expresses his hope and optimism that the subcontinent can become a great and prosperous region, if it embraces its Indic ethos and values.

The book is a well-argued and well-documented account of a serious and sensitive issue that affects the lives and futures of millions of people in the subcontinent. The author's style is clear, crisp, and compelling, and he makes his case with logic and reason, as well as with passion and emotion. He also adds a touch of humour and sarcasm, which makes the book more engaging and entertaining.

The book's main strength is its bold and honest perspective, which challenges the conventional wisdom and exposes the inconvenient truth. The author does not shy away from criticizing the subcontinental state and society, as well as the anti-Indic forces, for their injustice and oppression towards the Indic civilization and its people. He also does not hesitate to praise and appreciate the positive and progressive aspects of the Indic civilization and its culture, which have contributed to the greatness and diversity of the subcontinent. He does not portray the Indic civilization as victims or villains, but as human beings, who have their rights and responsibilities, their strengths and weaknesses, their hopes and fears.

The book's main weakness is its one-sided and biased view of the sandwiched civilization, which ignores or downplays the other perspectives and complexities. The author does not give much voice or space to the non-Indic and their grievances and aspirations, who may have a different version of the events and their motivations. He also does not address the ethical and moral questions of Indic nationalism and its implications for the secular and pluralistic fabric of the subcontinent. He also does not explore the diversity and heterogeneity of the Indic civilization and its society, and the conflicts and contradictions within them.

The book is a valuable and relevant addition to the literature on the Indic civilization and the subcontinent, and a must-read for anyone interested in the politics and society of the region. It is also a controversial and provocative book that will spark debate and discussion among the readers and the public. The book is not a definitive or objective account of the sandwiched civilization, but a personal and subjective one, which reflects the author's views and experiences. The book is not a final word on the subject, but a starting point for further inquiry and dialogue.

The book deserves a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, for its originality, clarity, and courage. The book is recommended for readers who enjoy political and social commentary, and who are interested in the issues and challenges facing the subcontinent and its people. The book is also suitable for students and scholars of Indic studies, subcontinental studies, and political science. The book may not appeal to readers who prefer a more balanced and nuanced approach, or who are sensitive to the issues of nationalism and communalism. The book may also raise some questions for further discussion, such as:

• What is the definition and meaning of the Indic civilization, and who decides it?
• What are the benefits and costs of the Indic civilization for the Indic and non-Indic, and for the subcontinent and the world?
• How can the Indic civilization be reconciled with the constitutional and democratic principles of the subcontinent, and the human rights and dignity of all citizens?
• How can the Indic civilization accommodate the diversity and pluralism of the Indic civilization and its society, and the differences and disagreements among them?
• How can the Indic civilization be achieved and sustained, without resorting to violence and coercion, and without compromising the peace and harmony of the subcontinent and the region?