Introduction

Despite BJP being in power since 2014, the right-wing narrative remains fractured. BJP is seen as ‘right wing’ due to its leanings, however, when it comes to the economy, the party’s own supporters call it more left-inclined than the left liberals ever have. Is the left actually liberal and is the right not? To discuss these political connotations and much more, Smita Prakash spoke with Abhijit Iyer-Mitra. He is someone who has a radical take on these things and is considered to be an ‘extreme liberal’ - someone who believes in total freedom of expression. He has written on military affairs - a researcher par excellence who speaks on political ideologies and social issues. Often, he is attacked by both the left and the right-wing in India for his opinions but continues to remain unfazed towards criticism.