Umar Nizarudeen Fahadh Faasil, the Malayalam film actor has come into national as well as global limelight, much more than any other actor from Kerala has ever managed to do before. From his heterodox acting style, body language and physique to an unconventional choice of roles, Fahadh Faasil has helped break stale notions of …
Why I decided to be a Pasmanda activist
Razaul Haq Ansari To begin with, i want to say something about myself. I am Razaul Haq Ansari from Deoghar, Jharkhand, and was born in a middle class family of the Julaha (weaver) caste. I have completed my Bachelor of Technology from a private university in Greater Noida (NCR). I would like to share …
Lineage and Caste in Islam
Shafiullah Anis (Round Table India and SAVARI have been hosting a series of online talks by activists and thinkers on issues of importance to the Bahujan. This is the transcript of Shafiullah Anis’ talk on June Aug 1st, 2020) The reason we are discussing this topic is because there is a perception and a kind …
The Misnomer Called Riot
Bobby Kunhu “It is the nature of physics to hear the loudest of mouths over the most comprehensive ones.” ― Criss Jami, Killosophy In discussions relating to identity in South Asia – when the obviously relevant argument that it is only the privileged that can claim an identity devoid of religion and caste is …
Religion and other aspects of Feminism
Mook Nayak 2.0 Preliminary Observations A lot of debates are going on about Feminism, its origin and its ideals etc. It is said that the main objective of feminism is to promote equality between the sexes. For a moment, let’s leave the counter arguments made on feminism (1) and look at one profound link which …
Inscrutable Islam and Kerala Modernity
Umar Nizar There is a ‘scramble for Muslim intelligentsia’ going on along with a clamour for token inclusivity from the left-leaning, upper-caste politically correct elite, and yet even this tokenistic Islamic presence proves elusive. Islam has become that wide gaping wound on the side of a cancerous polity that festers. The agalma of Islam, as …
Castes among Indian Muslims
Dr. Basharat Ahmed (Translation of Dr Ahmed’s Marathi article published in Loksatta) I have received many responses via email from readers of my article ‘Dharmiya Aarakshanache A (Vastav)’ (Reality of Religion based Reservations) published in Loksatta on 31st October 2013. Some of those while asking questions on certain aspects have also expressed the desire that …
Why Being Critical Towards Holy Scriptures or Religious Beliefs Is Important?
Abhishek Bhagat Religion is a core part of human life. It is belief system which governs human behavior. There are many religions like Christianity, Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoism, Sikhism, Judaism, etc. Many principles are common among them but there are fundamental philosophical differences too. The common bit certainly consists of different religionists’ insistence on …
Islam, Caste, Slavery: A narrative from early 20th century UP
Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi (Excerpts from Aap-Beeti (Autobiography) by Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi. 1978. Lucknow: Maktaba-e Firdaus. Translated by Ajmal Kamal.) Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi (16 March 1892 – 6 January 1977) was an Indian Muslim writer and a renowned exegete of the Qur’an. Daryabadi was actively associated with the Khilafat Movement; Royal Asiatic …