The writing is evocative and the subject matter is ever-relevant. Bhatia deftly blends logos, ethos, and pathos into his exploration of religious propaganda role in the 'New India', using a mixture of sources and taking an anthropological stance in his approach to this matter.

This is an incredibly evocative book that traces the history, origins, and the "aftermath" of Hindutva. I say "aftermath" because the anchoring point for the book is the 2019 Delhi riots. The experiences of people associated with the riots serve as focal points to illustrate how bureaucracy, combined with ideology, can devastate lives- yet another chilling display of horror. The narrative also explores the concept and implementation of Aadhar, highlighting the criticisms and the horrifying ways it was weaponized by mandating it- essentially, the worst-case scenario according to critics play out. Watching these events unfold on the news and social media was disturbing enough, but seeing how these actions were part of a strategic, deliberate attempt left me both angry and terrified. One of the things I appreciated most was the blend of sources used—ranging from expected critics to unexpected primary sources (what a get!), which really elevated the depth of the analysis. Overall, I thought the book was exceptionally well-presented, even if the author occasionally leans a bit too much into editorializing for my taste. Still, a deeply impactful and thought-provoking read.

Rahul Bhatia takes the reader on a sweeping and authoritative dive into the dark recesses of recent Indian history. His book, *The New India*, is a damning indictment of the real and harmful effects religious propaganda can have on people who were simply born into the "wrong" religion. The writing is stark, matter-of-fact, and highly evocative. It is an essential, albeit somewhat depressing, read.