Radio War Nerd EP #193 — Kashmir Clampdown
Guest: Aditya
Recorded: August 9, 2019
We talk to previous RWN guest Aditya about the Indian government's surprise decision to strip Kashmir of its special semi-autonomous political status. To understand what's happening, Aditya tells us about Kashmir's historically separate and independent identity going back millennia, and brings us up to the present with India's popular far-right leader Modi and the RSS, a quasi-fascist grassroots paramilitary organization that serves as Modi's base.
*Map:
Check out previous episodes with Aditya: EP #96: Sino-India War of 1962 ; and EP #103: The 1857 Indian Rebellion (or First War of Independence).
Total time: 1:54:13
Comments (20)
If you want a more intimate description the RSS, BJP and Modi -- one that involves actually knowing the people involved -- you should interview Kushal Mehra of the Carvaka podcast. I came across him when he was recently interviewed on another podcast I listen to, BrownCast, which is hosted many of the guys who migrated from Sepia Mutiny, including Razib Khan. Mehra actually knows people who've been sevaks in the RSS and was deeply involved in many of the BJP's social welfare schemes that won it the last election (such as the vast construction of village sanitation works and, peripherally, rural electrification). Which is weird for the leftist* narrative, because he's a self-described "Carvak" or empiricist/atheist, who thinks that the RSS is a bunch of idiots. Anyways, keep up the great podcasts. Inflict and Endure. * which is also weirder still, because left and right as understood in the anglophone media don't map to India. Which is why there's a "right-wing" government that just raised 1%er personal taxes on the rich to very high levels, plans to roll out a national health insurance plan, and won the last election on the basis of social welfare schemes targeted to the poor. What is hilarious and sad also, is how the BJP have been labelled white suprremacists (h/t Razib Khan for the lols.) Journalism, as Mark and John have often remarked, is very often superficial and serves a narrative. Incidentally, Mehra and a guest go into the Indian political economy in a recent podcast.
Thanks, that's a good suggestion.
Great interview. Would love to here you guys interview Arundhati Roy as well as a hopeful request. She's amazing
I just subscribed. Where do I get the RSS feed ?
Same, I don't see it available in the usual patreon places.
RSS feed came through for me a few hours ago, so maybe refresh if you didn't get it yet
I was hoping we'd get to hear what you guys think about the goings-on in the Moscow elections these past few weeks.
I am able to download just as before.
The RSS URL updated in the last email, but this new episode hasn't appeared on the new feed yet
I am Spartacus. Oh, I mean my RSS feed isn't working either
Yup, same
No RSS feed for me as well
Same
Speaking of clampdowns, I'm looking forward to your take on China's invasion of Hong Kong any second now.
Same.
RSS feed problems for me as well :(
RSS feed not working here either
No RSS update as of now.
Is anyone else not retrieving this episode with the new rss feed at the exiledonline site?
For the ride to the live show, thanks!