THE VIOLENCE IN OUR BONES (HB)

The Buddha, Ashoka, Gandhi?the
three greatest Indians who ever lived?were emblematic of non-violence. Yet,
paradoxically, their country of origin is one of the most violent places on
earth. Do ?we, the people of India? have violence in our bones? This work
explores different aspects of our society to answer the question. Despite a
blood-soaked Partition coupled with many other challenges that all emerging
democracies have had to negotiate, India?s record in upholding the democratic
values enshrined in its Constitution has been impressive. Yet, violence
remains an inextricable part of everyday life. Parts of the country are
rocked by ?low-intensity? operations against various insurgencies. Our
society is also scarred by caste violence, communal riots, and viciousness
against women, children, the transgender community, and minorities. The
country?s large size, a highly differentiated population, uneven economic
development, linguistic differences, regional imbalances, class and caste
hierarchies, the politicizing of religious identities, appropriation of
tribal lands, agrarian distress, joblessness, poverty, and deep inequality
all breed frustration. Violence underlies almost every social and political
interaction within Indian society, from the violence of everyday life to the
brutal actions of the state or those ranged against the state. The Violence
in Our Bones maps the assorted kinds of violence in India, and explores why,
even as a successful democracy, violence continues to be endemic in the nation.