The Keith Woods Podcast India is Worse Than You Think
19 snips
Sep 24, 2025 
Jayant Bhandari, an economist and financial analyst known for his critical perspectives on India, delves into the complexities of Indian society. He discusses the extreme ethnic diversity and caste system, arguing it mirrors racial dynamics. Bhandari highlights pervasive corruption, educational disparities between urban elites and rural folk, and the tribal nature of Indian identity. He critiques recent economic growth as superficial and tied to external factors, while warning that many Indian immigrants may carry problematic cultural traits. A thought-provoking and controversial conversation!
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Fragmented Tribal Loyalties
- India is extremely ethnically diverse and this diversity drives deep social conflicts and atomization.
- Jayant Bhandari argues caste behaves more like a racial system with many rival tribal loyalties that block national unity.
Nationhood Is Local, Not National
- Jayant Bhandari says India lacks a modern nationalism; people identify with villages and tribes, not the nation.
- He calls Indian nationalism often performative, a fake togetherness masking deep intergroup dislike.
Festival Bans And Political Demagoguery
- Jayant Bhandari recounts that in Bhopal he could no longer buy eggs and meat because of a Hindu festival and government demagoguery.
- He uses this to illustrate Hindutva measures target Muslims and serve political posturing rather than public good.