Lessons from Latin America for India's History Debates

The article discusses how history is used to justify political ideologies in India and Latin America.

In India, Hindutva politics often highlights the supposed barbarism of medieval rulers like Aurangzeb to promote a narrative of Hindu superiority.

Similarly, in Latin America, European colonisers used accounts of indigenous cruelty, like the Aztecs' human sacrifices, to justify their conquest.

The article contrasts this with the New and Post-New Left movements in Latin America, which use history to promote inclusive governance and participatory politics.

These movements emphasize indigenous rights and collective empowerment, showing that history can be used to build fairer societies rather than to exclude and oppress.

The author argues that India can learn from these examples to foster a more inclusive public imagination and strengthen democratic participation.