Fieldwork Entanglements in Today's India

This roundtable invites scholars to reflect on ethnographic research in India as it relates to India's current political climate and nationalist narratives about Indian history and religion. Our first participant reflects on queer belonging by asking how “transgressive” researchers might confront risks of reprisal. Focusing on narratives of trauma and belonging among new generations of Indian Muslims, our second participant discusses how ethnographic devices such as reflexivity become especially fraught in the current political climate. As a scholar considering Hinduism and politics, our third participant outlines difficulties in the research process – from research visa applications to overcoming skepticism from fieldwork participants. Our fourth contributor considers the ethical implications of ethnography when one's work depends on fostering relationships with pro-Hindutva religious leaders. Finally, our fifth participant looks at how their research on the management of Hindu temples in Himachal Pradesh connects to complex and contested relationships between regional and national politics.