Yogendra Yadav Observes a Political Shift at the World Book Fair
Yogendra Yadav shares his insights from the World Book Fair. He notes a significant change in the event's atmosphere. Originally a vibrant mela of ideas, it now resembles an exhibition of power. Visitors encounter large images of political leaders like PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Dharmendra Pradhan. They can take selfies with cutouts or even with real-life soldiers. This shift raises questions about the fair's purpose in today's political climate.
A Crisis Sparks Intellectual Effervescence
Yadav argues that political crises serve as moments of truth. They invite deep reflection and opportunities for reset. In India, current challenges to democracy and constitutional values have ignited a surge in political thinking. He spent three days at the fair expecting to find fresh ideas amidst this turmoil. However, he observed a decline in the chaotic, lively spirit that once defined the event. The fair feels more organized but less censored, offering a freer space than mainstream media.
Poetry and Politics: Voices of Despair and Hope
The search for truth led Yadav to poetry shelves rather than political sections. He discovered works capturing alienation and marginalization. Examples include:
- Laanat Ka Pyaala by Adnan Kafeel Darwesh
- Parag Pawan and Vihag Vaibhav by various authors
- Yeh Kaun Si Jagah Hai by Rajendra Rajan
- Saleeb Par Nagrikata by Javed Alam Khan
These poems reflect despair but occasionally inspire. Yet, as noted in Kavita Mein Jantantra, they often lack clear guidance. For solutions, Yadav turned to political science books. He mentions For A Just Republic by Partha Chatterjee, which provides a comprehensive overview but offers weak hints for the future.
Biographies and Histories Offer Insights
Seeking alternatives, Yadav explored biographies and activist reflections. In Praise of Coalition Politics by Manoj Jha provides a fresh perspective. He also looks forward to A Maverick in Politics by Mani Shankar Aiyar for candid insights. Historical works prove more helpful. Notable books include:
- 50 Years of the Indian Emergency: Lessons for Democracy edited by Peter deSouza and Harsh Sethi
- Raag Darbari: Polity as Fiction, Fiction as Reality edited by Satyajit Singh
- Biographies on Madhu Limaye and Shankar Guha Niyogi
These texts help understand past events and their relevance today, though Yadav questions if their values still hold.
Defending Constitutional Values
The assault on India's constitutional republic has spurred vigorous research. Assembling India's Constitution by Rohit De and Ornit Shani reaffirms democratic roots. The Ideas of the Indian Constitution series defends key values with contributions from scholars like Neera Chandhoke and Rajmohan Gandhi. However, Yadav raises a critical question: How much can we rely on the Constitution to defend the republic? Gautam Bhatia's The Indian Constitution: A Conversation with Power addresses this by placing legal language in a political context.
Anchoring Values in Heritage
A deeper issue involves shaping political morality through constitutional values. Yadav believes in forging a new language that connects these values to India's civilizational heritage. He outlines this in his new book, Ganarajya ka Swadharm. For further exploration, he mentions the Unmochan series by Vani Prakashan, which includes works on colonizing the mind and renewing traditions.
Yadav concludes by questioning if these books offer fresh resources for the current crisis. He promises to read them and report back, emphasizing the ongoing intellectual journey in response to India's political challenges.
