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{{Short description|Indian political scientist, author, and activist}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Achin Vanaik
| image = File:Achin_Vanaik.jpg
| birth_date = 1947
| birth_place = India
| education = [[University of Bristol]]
| occupation = Political scientist, author, activist
| notable_works = ''The Furies of Indian Communalism: Religion, Modernity and Secularization'' (1997)
| awards = Sean MacBride Peace Prize
}}

'''Achin Vanaik''' (born 1947) is an Indian political scientist, author, and activist.

== Early life and education ==
Vanaik was born in India in 1947.<ref name=":7" /> He lived in various places throughout his childhood including China, Ghana, and the United States because his father was a diplomat.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Philip |first=A.J. |date=2005-08-05 |title='Patka' unravelled |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050805/edit.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204205836/https://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050805/edit.htm |archive-date=2005-12-04 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=The Tribune}}</ref> In 1964, he moved to the United Kingdom to attend school in [[Suffolk]]. Bullied for wearing a [[Patka|turban]], he eventually stopped wearing one.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8" /> He worked at a [[Corona (beer)|Corona]] factory and the post office in Suffolk and later as a bus conductor in London.<ref name=":7" /> After completing a degree in economics and statistics at the [[University of Bristol]] in 1970,<ref name=":2" /> he briefly worked at an accounting firm but did not like it and found a job as a [[croupier]].

While living in the UK, Vanaik became involved in [[Left-wing politics|leftism]], including anti-colonial, anti-racist, and Black power politics, reading books by [[James Baldwin]], [[Stokely Carmichael]], [[Frantz Fanon]], and [[Aimé Césaire]]. According to Vanaik, most of his friends were [[West Indian]], and he did not know many white people.<ref name=":7" /> Between 1971 and 1974, he taught at the Free University of Black Studies, which provided political education to the immigrant community.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":7" /> Around the time of [[The Emergency (India)|the state of emergency]] instituted by Indira Gandhi, he returned to India, where he was involved in [[Trade union|labor organizing]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Pennybacker |first=Susan |date=2020-01-17 |title=“Fire by Night, Cloud by Day”: Exile and Refuge in Postwar London |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-british-studies/article/abs/fire-by-night-cloud-by-day-exile-and-refuge-in-postwar-london/155E7438DC6034786ABB07E348BF501E |journal=Journal of British Studies |language=en |volume=59 |issue=1 |pages=1–31 |doi=10.1017/jbr.2019.247 |issn=0021-9371}}</ref>

== Career ==
Vanaik served as an editor at ''[[The Times of India]]'' between 1978 and 1990. In 1996, Vanaik began his academic career as a visiting professor in Third World Studies at [[Jamia Millia Islamia|Jamia Milia Islamia University]]. In 2002, he began working at [[Delhi University]], eventually serving as the head of the Political Science Department and Dean of Social Sciences between 2007 and 2010. Since 1998, he has been a fellow of the [[Transnational Institute]] in Amsterdam.<ref name=":2" /> In addition to authoring multiple books, Vanaik has written for ''[[The Wire (India)|The Wire]]''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Achin Vanaik |url=https://thewire.in/author/achin-vanaik |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Wire}}</ref> and ''[[Jacobin (magazine)|Jacobin]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-12 |title=Achin Vanaik |url=https://jacobin.com/author/achin-vanaik |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Jacobin |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Nuclear disarmament ===
In response to [[Pokhran-II|Indian nuclear tests]], Vanaik, [[Praful Bidwai]], [[Laxminarayan Ramdas]], and others founded the Coalition for Nuclear Disarmament and Peace (CNDP) in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-07-08 |title=Praful Bidwai: Organic intellectual |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/obituary/organic-intellectual/article23592745.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://www.tni.org/en/article/organic-intellectual |archive-date=2015-07-10 |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-10-10 |title=US Lifts Ban on Nuclear Trade with India |url=http://www.democracynow.org/2008/10/10/us_lifts_ban_on_nuclear_trade |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Democracy Now! |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Haines |first=Monamie Bhadra |date=2020-12-04 |title=(Nation) building civic epistemologies around nuclear energy in India |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/23299460.2020.1771145 |journal=Journal of Responsible Innovation |volume=7 |issue=sup1 |pages=34–52 |doi=10.1080/23299460.2020.1771145 |issn=2329-9460}}</ref> Bidwai and Vanaik also wrote ''New Nukes: India, Pakistan, and Global Nuclear Disarmament'' (2000).<ref>Paul TV. [https://academic.oup.com/psq/article-abstract/116/4/644/6962695 New Nukes (Book)]. ''Political Science Quarterly (Academy of Political Science)''. 2001;116(4):644. doi:10.2307/798229</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Amitava |date=2001-04-05 |title=Bristling on the Subcontinent |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/bristling-subcontinent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922093659/https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/bristling-subcontinent/ |archive-date=2021-09-22 |access-date=2025-09-05 |work=Nation |language=en-US |issn=0027-8378}}</ref> That year, Bidwai and Vanaik were awarded the [[International Peace Bureau|Sean MacBride Peace Prize]] for their advocacy against nuclear weapons.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sarwar |first=Beena |title=Farewell, Praful Bidwai |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/personal-political/farewell-praful-bidwai/?source=app |access-date=2025-08-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Achin Vanaik Papers |url=https://archives.ashoka.edu.in/paper_details/208 |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=Archives of Contemporary India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Seán MacBride Peace Prize |url=https://ipb.org/sean-macbride-peace-prize/ |access-date=2025-08-20 |website=International Peace Bureau}}</ref> In 2015, Vanaik published ''After The Bomb'', a collection of essays criticizing the Indian nuclear program and proposing steps to limit nuclear weapons.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-24 |title=Book Review: After the Bomb – Reflections on India's Nuclear Journey |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/the-rogue-weapon/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027204543/https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/the-rogue-weapon/ |archive-date=2015-10-27 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kapoor |first=Harsh |date=2015-09-01 |title=Book Review: Achin Vanaik, After the Bomb: Reflections on India's Nuclear Journey |url=https://doi.org/10.1177/0049085715589494 |journal=Social Change |language=EN |volume=45 |issue=3 |pages=491–494 |doi=10.1177/0049085715589494 |issn=0049-0857}}</ref>

=== Hindu nationalism ===
In a 1994 paper, Vanaik argued that [[Hindutva]] is not [[Fascism|fascist]] and that labelling it as such could "disorient the organization of opposition". However, he stated that it has the potential for fascism.<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Reddy |first=Deepa |date=2011 |title=Capturing Hindutva: Rhetorics and Strategies |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1749-8171.2011.00289.x |journal=Religion Compass |language=en |volume=5 |issue=8 |pages=427–438 |doi=10.1111/j.1749-8171.2011.00289.x |issn=1749-8171}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Achin Vanaik |year=1994 |title=Situating Threat of Hindu Nationalism: Problems with Fascist Paradigm |journal=Economic and Political Weekly |volume=29 |pages=1729–1748 |jstor=4401457 |number=28}}</ref> [[Rustom Bharucha]] criticized his argument as underestimating the fascism present in Hindutva.<ref name=":5" /> Shortly before the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] (BJP) took power in the [[1998 Indian general election|1998 general election]], Vanaik published ''The Furies of Indian Communalism: Religion, Modernity and Secularization'' (1997).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ramana |first=M. V. |date=2017-08-24 |title=Worth reading in the Trump era: Nuclear nightmares, authoritarianism and climate change |url=http://theconversation.com/worth-reading-in-the-trump-era-nuclear-nightmares-authoritarianism-and-climate-change-83024 |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=The Conversation |language=en-US}}</ref> In this book, Vanaik details the rise of [[Hindu nationalism]] and proposes an alternative political movement that he says can gain power by bettering the lives of Indians.<ref>Rogall N. The Furies of Indian Communalism: Religion, Modernity and Secularization (Book). ''Contemporary Politics''. 1998;4(1):93. doi:10.1080/13569779808449952</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Prashad |first=Vijay |date=1999-05-01 |title=The Furies of Indian Communalism. Religion, Modernity and SecularizationLegacy of a Divided Nation: India's Muslims since IndependenceReligion, Federalism and the Struggle for Public Life: Cases from Germany, India and America |url=https://doi.org/10.2307/2659476 |journal=Journal of Asian Studies |volume=58 |issue=2 |pages=560–562 |doi=10.2307/2659476 |issn=0021-9118}}</ref> [[Vijay Prashad]] referred to the book as "compulsory reading for anyone interested in recent political developments in India."<ref name=":4" /> Ten years later, ''The Furies of Indian Communalism'' was expanded and re-published as ''The Rise of Hindu Authoritarianism: Secular Claims, Communal Realities''.<ref name=":3" /> In his 2020 book, ''Nationalist Dangers, Secular Failings: A Compass for an Indian Left'', Vanaik argues that the only way to reduce Hindutva's power is to create a "new, much more radical Left force".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Amol |date=2020-11-18 |title=The Rise of Hindu Nationalism and the Failures of the Indian Left |url=https://jacobin.com/2020/11/hindu-nationalism-indian-left-failures-political-strategy |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Jacobin |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== India-Israel relations ===
Vanaik has argued that [[India–Israel relations|India's relations with Israel]] has always been based on [[realpolitik]],<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moaswes |first=Abdulla |date=2024-06-26 |title=Global Hindutva and the Palestinian Cause |url=https://www.scienceopen.com/hosted-document?doi=10.13169/reorient.8.2.0239 |journal=ReOrient |language=en |volume=8 |pages=239–261 |doi=10.13169/reorient.8.2.0239 |issn=2055-5601}}</ref> noting that India purchased weapons from Israel in the 1960s despite its public pro-Palestine stance at the time.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Osuri |first=Goldie |date=2020-05-03 |title=Kashmir and Palestine: itineraries of (anti) colonial solidarity |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1070289X.2019.1675334 |journal=Identities |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=339–356 |doi=10.1080/1070289X.2019.1675334 |issn=1070-289X}}</ref><ref>Vanaik, Achin. 2014. “The Art of Accepting Fait Accompli”. In From India to Palestine: Essays in Solidarity, edited by G. Hariharan, 102-114. Delhi: Leftword.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vanaik |first=Achin |date=2025-07-10 |title=India, Israel, Palestine |url=https://www.tni.org/en/article/india-israel-palestine |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Transnational Institute |language=en}}</ref> Vanaik has also written about the BJP's strengthening of relations with Israel, arguing that Hindutva and [[Zionism]] are similar<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vanaik |first=Achin |date=2019-06-12 |title=As the Hindu Rashtra Project Rolls on, It's Time to Consider What the End Goal Is |url=https://thewire.in/politics/hindu-rashtra-project-end-goal |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vanaik |first=Achin |date=2022-11-28 |title=Does Modi's India Care About Palestine Any More? |url=https://thewire.in/diplomacy/narendra-modi-india-palestine |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=The Wire}}</ref><ref name=":6" /> and that BJP leaders admire Israel.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 November 2022 |title=Israeli officials scramble to avert diplomatic crisis in India over 'Kashmir Files' film |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israeli-jury-head-indian-film-festival-calls-modi-promoted-kashmir-files-propaganda |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref>

At the beginning of the [[Gaza war]], Vanaik gave a lecture at [[O. P. Jindal Global University|OP Jindal Global University]], in which he compared [[Hindutva]] to [[Zionism]] and called Hindutva "anti-Muslim". Additionally, he critiqued how the label terrorism is applied and stated that suicide bombers are more interested in dying than killing.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Afterwards, the university registrar condemned his comments about Hindutva and suicide bombers, while the Israeli ambassador condemned his comments about Israel.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> [[IIT Bombay|IIT-Bombay]] cancelled a lecture he was scheduled to give.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-10 |title=Freefall In India's Academic Freedom Ranking Is Reflected In Cancelled Lectures At IIT Bombay & Elsewhere |url=https://article-14.com/post/freefall-in-india-s-academic-freedom-ranking-is-reflected-in-cancelled-lectures-at-iit-bombay-elsewhere-670749ce2fd0f |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Article 14}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian universities build closer ties with Israeli colleges and arms firms despite Gaza war |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/war-on-gaza-india-universities-build-closer-ties-israel-colleges |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref> Vanaik reaffirmed his statements but clarified that he does not support terrorism.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-11-20 |title=Stand by my remarks, says scholar after row over his Israel-Palestine lecture at Jindal university |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1059326/stand-by-my-remarks-says-scholar-after-row-over-his-israel-palestine-lecture-at-jindal-university |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Scroll.in |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Porecha |first=Maitri |date=2023-11-19 |title=Scholar stands by his lecture at O.P. Jindal University, regrets its misinterpretation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/scholar-stands-by-his-lecture-at-op-jindal-university-regrets-its-misinterpretation/article67551383.ece |access-date=2025-08-22 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Bose |first=Abhish K. |date=2024-06-30 |title=The Menace of Hindutva |url=https://againstthecurrent.org/atc231/the-menace-of-hindutva/ |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Against the Current |language=en-US}}</ref> A statement denouncing the Israeli embassy's "interference with academic freedom on Indian campuses" was signed by 470 Indian academics.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-08 |title=Indian academics protest Israeli interference on campus |url=https://arab.news/cydzj |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Over 400 Signatories Express Outrage Over Silencing of Talks on Palestine on Indian Campuses |url=https://thewire.in/rights/over-400-signatories-express-outrage-over-silencing-of-talks-on-palestine-on-indian-campuses |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=The Wire |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nevatia |first=Shreevatsa |date=2023-12-14 |title=Why Zionism rules the hearts of Hindutva acolytes |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/politics/why-zionism-rules-the-hearts-of-hindutva-acolytes/article67637346.ece |access-date=2025-09-05 |website=Frontline |language=en}}</ref>

== Books ==

* ''The Furies of Indian Communalism: Religion, Modernity and Secularization'' (Verso, 1997)
* ''New Nukes: India, Pakistan, and Global Nuclear Disarmament'', with Praful Bidwai. ''(Olive Branch Press, 2000)''
* ''After The Bomb: Post-Pokharan II Essays'' (Orient Black Swan, 2015)
* ''The Rise of Hindu Authoritarianism: Secular Claims, Communal Realities'' (Verso, 2017)
* ''Nationalist Dangers, Secular Failings: A Compass for an Indian Left'' (Aakar Books, 2020)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-10 |title=Achin Vanaik |url=https://www.tni.org/en/profile/achin-vanaik |access-date=2025-08-22 |website=Transnational Institute |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
<references />
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vanaik, Achin}}
[[Category:Indian academics]]
[[Category:Indian political scientists]]
[[Category:1947 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Indian anti–nuclear weapons activists]]
[[Category:Indian opinion journalists]]
[[Category:Alumni of the University of Bristol]]

Achin Vanaik - Revision history

ChaseBruns at 05:25, 27 March 2026