When Barack Obama says minorities are oppressed in India, millions share it approvingly — but what is the real nature of this narrative? This talk dissects the manufactured “image” of India as corrupt, oppressed, and backward — arguing these are civilizational accusations, not accounts of individual bribery.The speaker, a scholar-teacher, challenges the audience to see Western and Indian media portrayals of India not as isolated critiques but as a structured image-building exercise rooted in centuries of colonial framing. The talk calls for Indians to develop the intellectual tools to recognize and dismantle these narratives from within.

About the Speakers:
Dr. Dunkin Jalki is a researcher and academic with a PhD from CSCS (Manipal University), India. He has held postdoctoral and teaching positions at the University of Pardubice (Czech Republic) and fellowships at institutions including Kuvempu University, VSK University, the University of Ghent, and the British Library. Currently at SDM-CIRHS, his research spans the idea of a ‘progressive Lingayat community,’ Shaivism, caste, adhyatma, comparative cultures, and Indo-European relations. His work explores how inherited self-images—shaped by colonial perceptions—continue to influence Indian society and identity.

Rahul Dewan is a tech and social entrepreneur, angel investor, and open-source software evangelist. He is the founder of Srijan Technologies, an *18-year-old web content management company, and Sarayu Trust, which operates non-formal schools and various Dharmic/Indic initiatives. A writer, blogger, social activist, and Sadhaka, Rahul has dedicated his life to the cause of Bhartiya cultural revival. Through his venture, Sangam Talks, he works to reclaim India’s cultural heritage. He has actively participated in discussions on the identity, rights, and role of minorities in India, stressing the importance of self-reflection within the community.