Sripad Motiram explains how neoliberal reforms reshaped India’s economy—fueling rising wealth inequality, jobless growth, and urban divides. He explores how these changes intersect with the rise of Hindu nationalism since 2014, describing it as an elite backlash against earlier welfare policies.
Motiram also discusses his research on Indian cities, showing how mixed neighborhoods can reduce poverty and inequality—while segregation and exclusion driven by both neoliberalism and ethnic nationalism threaten development itself.
From agrarian reforms to urban inequality, from caste dynamics to Hindu nationalism, this interview offers a nuanced view of India’s economy and politics today.