In this engaging discussion, Rana Ayyub, an acclaimed journalist known for her bold critiques of Prime Minister Modi, talks with broadcaster Kavita Puri about India's complex journey since independence. They examine the interplay between secularism and rising Hindu nationalism, exploring how societal narratives impact security for minorities, particularly Muslims. Ayyub shares personal experiences highlighting the risks of dissent and the challenges facing journalists in a tense political climate, stressing the need to uphold secular values in the face of growing authoritarianism.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Othering in India
Rana Ayyub's family, the only Muslim family in their area, felt integrated into their community.
The 1992 Babri Masjid demolition created fear and led to them being targeted by a mob.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Gujarat Riots
Ayyub witnessed the 2002 Gujarat riots as a relief worker at age 19.
She saw the suffering of Muslims and Modi's inaction, solidifying her commitment to journalism.
insights INSIGHT
Gujarat Files Controversy
Ayyub's undercover investigation into the 2002 Gujarat riots, published as "Gujarat Files," alleges Modi's complicity.
Modi denies these allegations, and the Supreme Court questioned the book's evidentiary value without reviewing the tapes.
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Gujarat Files: Anatomy of a Cover Up is a journalistic book by Rana Ayyub that delves into the 2002 Gujarat riots. Ayyub went undercover to gather evidence, interviewing senior police officers and politicians. The book reveals insights into the complicity of state officials in the riots and subsequent events, including fake encounters. It is based on recordings made during her undercover operation.
Partition Voices
Kavita Puri
Partition Voices: Untold British Stories by Kavita Puri is a non-fiction book that captures the experiences of South Asians who lived through the partition of India in 1947 and later settled in Britain. The book includes interviews with individuals from diverse backgrounds, offering a nuanced perspective on the trauma and legacy of partition. It explores how these events continue to shape the identities and family dynamics of those affected, providing a powerful insight into a pivotal moment in history.
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Rana Ayyub is one of India’s most high-profile critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2016 she published Gujurat Files, a controversial book that alleged India’s government was implicated in the 2002 riots in which around 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in Gujarat. Ayyub’s book and subsequent investigations into religious violence in India have placed her in hot water with the authorities. In 2022 her bank accounts were frozen and she was prevented from boarding a flight to the United States from Mumbai airport due to an investigation into tax fraud which she claims was politically motivated. For this edition of our series on India's 75 years of independence, Ayyub is joined in conversation by Kavita Puri, broadcaster and author of the book and radio series, Partition Voices, which explores the experiences of those who witnessed the 1947 partition of India.
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