Thread by @shrikanth_krish

On the protests

Maybe CAA wasn't worth it
But it revealed the fault-lines in Indian society

Why are so many people outraged at illegal muslim immigrants from Bangladesh not getting fast-tracked to citizenship?

Reaction to CAA is proving the worst prejudices of H-Right correct

This is not to say Modi/Shah were motivated by purely benevolent intentions in this episode

Political calculation was likely involved - a desire to keep the communal pot boiling

Be that as it may, the protests have been so v "over the top" that it has likely surprised even them

So a nuanced reading of this episode will be -

1. Yes, CAA was not wholly innocent. Involved political calculation

2. Protests have proved the worst prejudices of the H-majority somewhat right

3. Message sent out - Indian muslims won't be a docile minority in a Hindu country

Point 3 was never something on the plate for 70 years as India had strong secular pretensions and disavowed its Hindu character in its public culture

As that character is manifesting inevitably, the discomfort of the dominant minority is apparent

Greater India is home to some half a billion Muslims

2/3rd of them live in Muslim majority states

But historically the HQ of this Muslim culture was in India proper.

Delhi. Not Lahore or Dhaka.

So there is a nostalgia for a past when Islam can radiate its influence from Delhi / upper Doab

Sure. Partition killed this dream
But the emergence of H-nationalism has totally decimated any minute possibility of a revival of M-fortunes

This has been painful to a proud minority

What we are seeing with the vociferous nature of CAA protests is the pain playing out on the airwaves, on the streets.

It does not bode too well for India, whichever way you look at it (with whatever political lens)

Scenarios (next 50 years)

1. Hindu assertion continues. Muslims learn to adjust to the "new normal". No different from the way Hindus live in US, or Christians in Pakistan

2. Nehruvian secularism makes a comeback. Pandering to Muslim pride part of Indian politics

(Contd..)

3. Militant alliances form b/w Muslims and the disgruntled elements of H-society (e.g. Dalits). Revolution. Possibly paving the way for a dominant Muslim-elite governing India

4. With economic growth, deracination proceeds apace. Resulting in weakened religious identities

The way things are going, I do not see any chance for 2.

1 - very likely in short/medium run. But there is a strong possibility of 3 in long run