The Identity Project: The Unmaking of a Democracy by Rahul Bhatia

A MONUMENTAL WORK OF NARRATIVE REPORTAGE THAT ILLUMINATES THE WAYS IN WHICH AN ENTIRE COUNTRY IS BEING REMADE.

Named a New York Times Notable Book of 2024 and hailed by James Crabtree as "the most important book on India for many years," The Identity Project is a harrowing, authoritative investigation into the transformation of modern India. Following the devastating 2020 Delhi riots, journalist Rahul Bhatia embarks on a six-year research journey to understand the roots of Hindu nationalism and the ideology that has silently reshaped the nation.

Tracing the movement from the 1800s to the modern era, Bhatia reveals how extreme ideologies influenced political strategy, the spread of misinformation, and the creation of the world’s largest biometric identification database. He skillfully connects these technological and political shifts to the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the National Register of Citizens, arguing that the state is fundamentally altering the "sacred compact" between citizens and the government.

Using an astonishing range of sources—including historical police reports, personal diaries, and hundreds of interviews—Bhatia crafts an indelible story of betrayal, abandonment, and the erosion of rights. This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the current political climate, the future of Indian democracy, and the forces shaping the identity of its citizens.