Clarion India Exclusive: Renowned journalist Mohammed Abdul Mannan discusses his groundbreaking book A Nation in Descent and calls for academic discourse amid growing fears
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
HYDERABAD – In an era marked by political upheaval and societal discord, renowned journalist Mohammed Abdul Mannan has released his twelfth book, A Nation in Descent. This pivotal work critically examines the socio-political landscape of India under the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Through meticulous research and poignant reflections, Mannan highlights the challenges facing a nation that has historically celebrated its diversity and pluralism.
Mannan, whose extensive journalism career includes contributions to major English newspapers such as Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express, and India Today, expresses profound concern over the nation’s current trajectory. “The country is moving towards a dangerous path,” he remarks, stressing that these issues must be resolved by scholars and intellectuals. “My aim is not to hurt any political party; this is purely an academic book,” he says.
In the dedication of his work, Mannan articulates a heartfelt lament for “a great pluralistic and cohesive nation being chipped away by forces of disunity.” This emotional appeal resonates throughout the text, particularly in his assertion, “My heart bleeds. Every day, the nation requires solace.” This urgent call for peace and unity is all the more critical given the increasing communal tensions and political divisions that India faces today.
Mannan delves into the historical roots of contemporary discord, linking the rise of hate-driven narratives to pivotal moments in India’s recent past. “My own belief is that the political identity of India shifted significantly after 1992 (dastardly demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya) when the atmosphere of hatred began to heat up. Earlier, people did not express their hatred so openly, but now it has come to the forefront,” he notes.
The author cites the influence of prominent figures and movements that have contributed to this shift. He believes that “India is being Nazified,” a term he uses to describe the alarming trend of fascist ideologies infiltrating the political discourse. “Many researchers are saying that I have tried to show in this book how hatred has spread, how lies have taken root, and how this has gradually turned India towards Nazism over the past ten years,” he explains.
In an exclusive interview with Clarion India, Mannan elaborates on the motivation behind writing A Nation in Descent. “I came up with the idea of writing this book because I witnessed the insanity of people and realised there was no need to remain silent; it needed to be documented,” he states. He acknowledges the apprehension that many writers feel today, revealing, “It seems that everyone in the country is afraid. Even writers are threatened with potential repercussions for their words.”
Reflecting on the writing process, Mannan discloses that it took him nearly five years to complete the book, a testament to his commitment to thorough research and factual accuracy. He laments the broader socio-economic realities facing India, highlighting the pervasive lack of job opportunities and attention given to critical issues. “There is no job in India. There are no opportunities, but no attention is being paid to it,” he states.
Mannan’s book goes beyond political analysis to address the economic realities affecting Indian citizens. Across 13 chapters, he traces the nation’s economic trajectory from the communal politics of the 1990s to the current climate marked by rising inequality and poverty. Despite the Modi government’s assertions of India becoming a US$3 trillion economy by 2019-20, Mannan underscores a sobering reality: “Economic inequality is rising.” He refers to India’s rank of 94th among 107 countries for hunger management, illustrating the disconnect between governmental claims of progress and the experiences of many citizens.
The COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated these challenges, resulting in unprecedented unemployment levels and escalating hardships for vulnerable populations. Mannan’s exploration of these issues underscores the importance of addressing the socio-economic divides that fuel discontent.
Throughout A Nation in Descent, Mannan amplifies the perspectives of various scholars and commentators who share his concerns about the current political climate. BS Raghavan, a retired bureaucrat, characterises the situation as “repulsive,” while Abhinav Prakash Singh frames the rise of Hindutva as an anti-imperialist construct with severe implications for democratic principles. Historian Rajmohan Gandhi warns that the foundations of India’s democracy are under siege, emphasising the urgency of acknowledging these voices in the broader dialogue on the nation’s trajectory.