#8 Listening To Grasshoppers: Field Notes On Democracy

"Listening to Grasshoppers" is a disturbing yet thought provoking collection of essays written between 2001-2008, dissecting the condition of democracy in India. These essays debate on controversial issues such as the inter communal violence in Gujarat in 2002 and the role of state in it, procedural flaws in the trial and conviction of those accused in the 2001 Parliament attack, the Kashmir conflict and the displacement of indigenous communities due to mega-development projects. 

Author Arundhati Roy's critique hinges on the argument that economic reforms in India have come at the expense of the marginalized. She criticizes the disingenuous rhetoric of "progress" and "development" arguing that these terms have been redefined to justify policies that exacerbate inequality. 

Her essays paint a stark picture of India's powerful and unaccountable political elite, biased law enforcement, and deepening societal divisions. She condemns corporate India's greed and silence on human rights, the media's selective neglect of national crises, and the role of religious extremists, both Hindu and Muslim, in fostering intolerance. 

The title, "Listening to Grasshoppers, aptly emphasizes the importance of heeding often unheard and seemingly suppressed voices. The author urges us to pay attention to the concerns of the marginalized, as these voices offer crucial insights into the true state of democracy and society. The role of grasshoppers in the ecological balance parallels the potential harm of neglecting minority concerns to democracy. 

Overall, the book stands as a staunch critique of the systemic issues plaguing India. It challenges the nation and the state to live up to its democratic ideals and address the inequalities and injustices that the author believes are often overlooked in the pursuit of economic growth and global recognition.

 On a personal note, despite the potency of author's critique, the lack of concrete solutions offered and reliance on oversimplified, polemic and hyperbolic language may hinder its effectiveness. Her passionate opposition to economic liberalization, which many perceive as beneficial, risks marginalizing potential allies crucial for India's journey towards social, political, economic and legal justice.