Indian women are being told nationalism will empower them. It’s a trick | Pragya Agarwal

Far-right Hindu nationalists are giving women prominence to mobilise others, but regressive patriarchal systems are embedded in their ideology

It all started in the family WhatsApp group. A member of my extended family posted photos and videos of fireworks with the caption a very good day" and many smiley emojis. When I asked, what are we celebrating?" she replied, the temple in Ayodhya". It quickly escalated into a heated discussion about the decision to build a Hindu temple in place of a mosque that was razed to the ground, and the rise of far-right ideology.

As someone who left India 20 years ago for the UK, I am often seen as an outsider" who cannot really understand Indian politics. If I comment on the political climate I'm accused of being brainwashed by the foreign media and discriminating against India. But I see the country of my birth changing and it upsets me hugely.