Voices of Dissent – An Essay

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Disagreement is an intrinsic part of life, yet in contemporary India, any form of protest is often labeled as anti-Indian, with claims that dissent is a Western import. In her insightful historical essay, Romila Thapar argues that dissent has deep roots in the subcontinent, evolving over centuries. She examines nonviolent dissent across pivotal moments in India’s history, starting from Vedic times and moving through the second to first millennium BCE, highlighting the emergence of the Shramanas—Jainas, Buddhists, and Ajivikas. Thapar also discusses the perspectives of Bhakti sants from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, culminating in a significant moment of dissent: Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha, which played a crucial role in establishing a free and democratic India. She contextualizes recent peaceful protests against a controversial citizenship law, emphasizing that contemporary dissent must challenge injustice and advocate for democratic rights to foster societal change. Written by a prominent public intellectual, this essay is essential for those interested in India’s rich history and its future trajectory.