Deindividuation and Deracination
Not sure how many of us can see this-- but from what I can understand about social dynamics in India, the picture is not reassuring at all. In fact, almost on a daily basis, I struggle not to panic about what is happening, and to think calmly about what can we do to counter this. I still have no answer about the latter, but here is what I learned about the former. Indian society today is a deadly combination of deindividuation and deracination . Deindividuation refers to cultural invalidation of individual agency. The irony of this is that, our cultural roots are deeply anchored in the importance of individual self expression. Enlightenment is seen as self awareness, and our texts recommend several pathways (called margas ) for self realisation. Yet, over the centuries, we have turned 180 degrees in this regard, and have made passive compliance and obedience to the collective will, as virtues. It is not uncommon to see people proudly exclaiming that they are going to "...