Linguistic Politics in Colonial India

In this episode of Bharatvaarta, host Sharan engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Professor Goutham Desiraju from the Indian Institute of Science. The discussion revolves around Professor Desiraju's follow-up book on the delimitation of states in India, a pressing and contentious topic in contemporary Indian politics. The conversation addresses the need for equal value of votes across different constituencies, the historical and political context of the delimitation freeze, and the implications of reconfiguring state boundaries. Professor Desiraju provides a comprehensive analysis of how delimitation, if done scientifically and fairly, can help India become a more balanced and prosperous democracy. The episode also touches on the broader themes of governance, the effects of linguistic states, and the importance of electoral reforms in achieving a true global leadership status for Bharat by 2047.

Topics:

00:00 Introduction

01:37 Discussion on Delimitation

06:57 Historical Context and Current Issues

11:19 Challenges and Future Prospects

18:35 Demographic Concerns and Solutions

38:58 Linguistic Politics and British Influence

43:05 The British Strategy Against Orissa

43:48 Linguistic States and Social Silence

44:37 British Influence on Local Languages

46:35 Historical Repetition and Linguistic Demands

47:26 Gandhi and Linguistic States

50:17 The Role of Language in Identity

51:25 Jesuit Influence in Tamil Nadu

54:48 The Evolution of Language and Identity

01:06:19 Small States and Governance

01:13:09 Concluding Thoughts on Delimitation

Buy the book

Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/aetUjcS