The Two-Front War: External Hate, Internal Sabotage
BasKaro's mission to combat escalating Indophobia is waged on two critical fronts, a reality we cannot afford to ignore. Externally, the battle is clear and visible: we confront overt racism in daily life, systemic discrimination in institutions, and the relentless normalization of anti-Indian hate in media and online spaces. This external war requires a vigilant, unified defense and a proactive strategy to counter false narratives and hold platforms accountable for the prejudice they amplify.
However, an equally insidious, and arguably more complex, battle must be fought within our own global Indian community. This is the internal war against what we term the "Sepoy & Racist Dynamic". It's a debilitating pattern where certain actions, behaviors, and statements from within our community can inadvertently, or sometimes, troublingly, deliberately, validate and empower external racists. This internal sabotage weakens our resolve, undermines our credibility, and makes the external fight exponentially more difficult to win.
Modern Sepoyism: The Specter of Mental Colonization
While the historical sepoy directly served colonial masters, today's modern sepoy grapples with a form of mental colonization. This phenomenon, particularly evident in digital spaces, describes individuals who publicly criticize or disparage their own nation, traditions, and people, often adopting a perceived "Western" or "global" viewpoint in an attempt to gain validation.
This behavior arises from a deep sense of insecurity or a strong desire to be accepted by non-Indian groups. It can also stem from the mistaken idea that putting down one's own heritage will lead to personal progress. Ultimately, this tendency directly hinders the development of genuine self-respect and collective pride within the community.
Parallels with Traditional Sepoyism
Internalized Othering
Both stem from an internalized inferiority and adopting the colonizer's gaze, aligning critiques with historical Western views of India.
Serving an External Narrative
Historical sepoys served British political goals. Digital sepoyism serves external detractors by reinforcing negative stereotypes.
Perceived Superiority
Just as some aligned with the 'superior' British, digital sepoyism implies a belief in the superiority of Western systems and values.
Alienation from Identity
Both forms involve a degree of alienation from one's own heritage, creating a detachment from the community's lived realities.
Key Differences in the Digital Age
Medium and Scale
Traditional sepoyism was a physical act. Modern sepoyism is a digital phenomenon with widespread, instant dissemination online.
Nature of Action
Historical sepoys directly upheld colonial power. Digital sepoyism is an indirect act of shaping discourse and narratives.
Motivation
Historical motives often included pay or security. Today's are more complex, from misguided critique to performative validation-seeking.
Accountability
Historical sepoys had a clear hierarchy. The internet's anonymity and distance often create a void of accountability for one's words.
The Psychological Scars of Colonization
Modern digital sepoyism is a profound and lingering consequence of the colonial experience, reflecting an unresolved identity crisis. It's a symptom of a psychological wound inflicted when Indians were taught to see themselves through the eyes of their colonizers, manifesting in four key ways:
Persistent "Colonial Mentality"
The subconscious belief that 'Indian' is inherently backward while 'Western' is the benchmark for modernity, leading to biased self-critique.
Validation-Seeking Behavior
The compulsive need for approval from the West, where publicly criticizing one's own culture is seen as a sign of being 'enlightened' or 'rational'.
Performative Detachment
Using criticism as a performance to appear 'objective' and distinguish oneself from the 'unenlightened masses,' mirroring colonial-era elitism.
"Nobody Hates Indians More Than Indians Themselves!"
This repulsive statement, often gleefully parroted by racists, finds its most potent ammunition in the actions of the modern sepoy. It’s the "pick-me" Indian amplifying anti-Indian tropes online for fleeting external approval; the individual publicly ridicуling Indian customs to appear "assimilated"; the public figure who downplays or denies legitimate instances of Indophobia to curry favor with a non-Indian audience.
Each such act is a stab in the back of our collective struggle, providing racists with the "proof" they seek: that their prejudice is somehow justified because "even Indians agree."
A Colossal Obstruction to Collective Impact
This dynamic creates a colossal obstruction to achieving meaningful Collective Impact. How can we effectively fight global Indophobia when segments of our own community are, in effect, siding with or enabling the aggressors? It’s akin to trying to extinguish a raging inferno while some among us are simultaneously fanning the flames or puncturing the water hoses. The battle becomes exponentially harder, our credibility is undermined, and our resolve is tested from within. We become, as the Manifesto starkly puts it, engaged in fighting "the entire world + half of our own people!"
