Page 72 - EW July 2021 final

Books

expresses interest in a muscular nationalism that and is a salutary reminder lies at the heart of Sah-
hypothetical overturning has emerged in countries of threats, internal and gal’s latest novel. While
of the traditional virtues which have been hitherto external, that beset us. The Sahgal’s legacy or idea
of altruism and tolerance acknowledged as among characters seem to belong of India is of Nehruvian
to replace them with a Ni- the most liberal, progres- to an earlier, gentler time, cosmopolitanism and
etzschean (and dystopic) sive and secular democra- till they are brought face to liberalism, it’s a reminder
view of history. Having cies. When we read Mira- face with escalating hatred that there are those whose
endorsed eugenic experi- jkar’s words and witness and tension captured in idea of nationalism is
ments and the somewhat enactment of Prabhakar’s the metaphoric title of the steeped in blood, guts and
Darwinian perspective of worst fears and fantasies, book, which faintly echoes gore. In short, who are the
ancient Spartans more as a we realise that at stake is Shakespeare’s King Lear: inheritors of the nation
hypothesis than anything not just liberal and pro- “Like flies to wanton boys/ state — proponents of civic
else, Prabhakar realises gressive political values, Are we to the gods/They nationalism or primordial
that his book runs the risk but our own humanity. kill us for their sport.” As nationalists?
of being appropriated by That, and a belief in core social polarization and In The Fate of But-
a ruthless, authoritar- life-affirming values of division escalates into terflies, we are presented
ian regime to provide a freedom, mutual tolerance hatred, violence spreads with ample evidence of
theoretical bulwark and and harmony, values that its tentacles and strength- Sahgal’s feistiness and
justification for taking emanate from our belief ens its grip, even as the political courage. She has
extreme measures. in a common humanity we spiralling and incremental never hesitated to tell it
Coming at a time when share with our brethren. maelstrom creates an at- like it is, and has once
right-wing populism is Sahgal’s style and per- mosphere where foment- again demonstrated that
ruling the roost, Butter- spective may be criticised ing hate and fear is the she is not afraid to speak
flies is a timely reminder as being elite cosmopoli- order of the day. truth to power.
of what is at stake in tan, but the book makes Whose India is it MEENAKSHI MALHOTRA
the relentless pursuit of a strong plea for sanity, anyway is a question that (The Book Review)

72 EDUCATIONWORLD JULY 2021