Breaking India: A Decade Later

Background

2011 marked a watershed moment with the release of Breaking India: Western Interventions in Dalit and Dravidian Faultlines, a groundbreaking book by Rajiv Malhotra and Aravindan Neelakandan. Based on five years of meticulous research,  the book tracks the money trails that start out claiming to be for “education,” “human rights,” “empowerment training,” and “leadership training,” but end up in programs designed to produce angry youths who feel disenfranchised from their Indian identity. The book reveals how outdated racial theories, fabricated evidence and cherrypicked data are used by academics, NGOs, governmental bodies and activists to create “atrocity literature” and paint India and Hinduism along the lines of “caste, cows, curry and chaos.” It names individuals, groups, organizations and institutions that are part of a sophisticated global network whose long term goal is to “break India” by creating social and religious discontent under the rubric of human rights, education, social justice, civil rights, etc. It sheds light on foreign funding of India based activities and the impact it has in creating a impression of India (and by extension Hinduism) as an oppressive state where minorities are robbed of their human rights and dignity.

“Breaking India” was an instant best seller, spurring a global movement of activists, bloggers, thinkers, scholars and leaders who got an opportunity to understand the complex interplay of global and local forces working overtime to delegitimize Indian civilization and create an image of an India that needs saving by Western interventions and policies – a colonial project that is being carried out even today.   

What has changed a decade later? What remains the same? Where does Indian civilization stand on the world stage? What is at stake for allies of India and those who admire India’s ancient philosophy and cultural ethos? How can the Indian community confront this challenge globally and collectively?

Hear eminent scholars, speakers and thought leaders share their ideas and perspectives on these and other questions in this two day virtual conference.

Brought to you in partnership with Infinity Foundation.