Tanika Sarkar

In this engaging discussion, historian Tanika Sarkar dives into the complexities of public religious expressions in India. She highlights the increase in visibility and noise of festivals, raising concerns about civic disruption and environmental impacts. The conversation also touches on the politicization of faith, competition between communities, and how aggressive religious symbols serve to consolidate group identities. Sarkar advocates for a return to more rational and meaningful expressions of devotion, critiquing the current trend of commercialization and divisiveness.