BJP-RSS & The Rabbit-Duck Illusion | Midweek Matters | Parakala Prabhakar (24)

In this Episode, Dr Parakala speaks about how the Rabbit-Duck Illusion is helpful for us to understand the current political scenario in India. He dwells on how for a large and significant section of the people the Hindu-Hindutva construct of Indian identity did not appear as an acceptable political project for a long time in the country's history. It was a liberal and diverse idea of India that was predominant. However, eventually with some had work, the the Hindu identity, began to appear as acceptable, and in the course of time it became a major force. It is from this Hindu identity, Parakala argues, that the BJP Government draws its power and legitimacy. And not from its performance. Any attempt to reclaim the idea of a liberal India will have to contend with the strength of Hindu-Hindutva identity narrative.