Ria Chakrabarty
@riachia93.bsky.social
By day: directing policy at Hindus for Human Rights (@hfhr.bsky.social) and setting up Hindus for Human Rights Action (@hfhraction.bsky.social)
By night: writing about pop culture and politics at https://substack.com/@popculturegeopolitcs
By night: writing about pop culture and politics at https://substack.com/@popculturegeopolitcs
Pinned
Hearts, Minds, NRIs
Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge isn't actually about the Indian diaspora
open.substack.com
I’ve been writing a series about how to understand Indian identity via Shah Rukh Khan films. Here’s the first piece on Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge
open.substack.com/pub/popcultu...
open.substack.com/pub/popcultu...
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Ukrainians getting the Palestinian treatment
Been driving for a couple hours. Just got online. Lemme see if I understand. US has been pushing a Ukraine plan for a few days. After some pushback, US Secy of State reveals that in fact it's a Russian plan that was presented to the US. Helluva a misunderstanding.
November 23, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Ukrainians getting the Palestinian treatment
The most anti democratic governor in the country
NEW: After fighting to keep emails between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office and billionaire Elon Musk’s companies secret, officials have released nearly 1,400 pages of documents to The Texas Newsroom.
All but about 200 pages are blacked out.
All but about 200 pages are blacked out.
Gov. Greg Abbott Was Ordered to Release Some of His Emails With Elon Musk. Most Are Blacked Out.
Months after fighting to keep secret emails between Gov. Greg Abbott and Elon Musk, Texas officials released 1,400 pages of records. But they reveal little about the two men’s relationship or Musk’s influence over state government.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The most anti democratic governor in the country
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
God this is so utterly despicable. Trump is “he was no angel”- ing a journalist who was murdered and dismembered with a bone saw by agents of an authoritarian regime.
Trump suggests Khashoggi had it coming: "You're mentioning someone that was extremely controversial. A lot of people didn't like that gentleman that you're talking about. Whether you like him or didn't like him, things happen. But he knew nothing about it. You don't have to embarrass our guest."
November 19, 2025 at 1:24 AM
God this is so utterly despicable. Trump is “he was no angel”- ing a journalist who was murdered and dismembered with a bone saw by agents of an authoritarian regime.
CBP are genuinely the most evil group of people in American government.
This is bullshit! What are the charges?
📌 Border Patrol arrested two women for allegedly honking their car horn to alert others of the agents’ presence
📌 Border Patrol arrested two women for allegedly honking their car horn to alert others of the agents’ presence
November 18, 2025 at 12:54 PM
CBP are genuinely the most evil group of people in American government.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
NEW — Rashida Tlaib and 20 other members of Congress have introduced a resolution to officially recognize Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people.
It notes that between 10/23 and 11/25, the US sent $21,700,000,000 in military aid to Israel and authorized $30,000,000,000+ in new weapons deals.
It notes that between 10/23 and 11/25, the US sent $21,700,000,000 in military aid to Israel and authorized $30,000,000,000+ in new weapons deals.
November 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
NEW — Rashida Tlaib and 20 other members of Congress have introduced a resolution to officially recognize Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people.
It notes that between 10/23 and 11/25, the US sent $21,700,000,000 in military aid to Israel and authorized $30,000,000,000+ in new weapons deals.
It notes that between 10/23 and 11/25, the US sent $21,700,000,000 in military aid to Israel and authorized $30,000,000,000+ in new weapons deals.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Got an answer:
"Abdul opposes blank-check funding to any foreign military. When we act in accordance with the rules-based international order to enforce international law, Abdul supports targeted support for allies, such as in Ukraine."
"Abdul opposes blank-check funding to any foreign military. When we act in accordance with the rules-based international order to enforce international law, Abdul supports targeted support for allies, such as in Ukraine."
Okay what about weapons sales to India 👀👀👀
El-Sayed also said he opposes military assistance to Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as well as Israel
November 14, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Got an answer:
"Abdul opposes blank-check funding to any foreign military. When we act in accordance with the rules-based international order to enforce international law, Abdul supports targeted support for allies, such as in Ukraine."
"Abdul opposes blank-check funding to any foreign military. When we act in accordance with the rules-based international order to enforce international law, Abdul supports targeted support for allies, such as in Ukraine."
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Hey so “underage girls” are…children. The word you’re looking for is children. They’re not like, women-in-waiting or women-lite or whatever. They’re children. I think some of you are very uncomfortable with what that means for you but it is still true.
November 12, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Hey so “underage girls” are…children. The word you’re looking for is children. They’re not like, women-in-waiting or women-lite or whatever. They’re children. I think some of you are very uncomfortable with what that means for you but it is still true.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Sec. Rubio said, “…the national interests of our respective countries are aligned” before Central Asian leaders met with Trump at the White House. He was correct: Trump and Central Asian leaders are committing human rights abuses at home while pursuing billions in critical minerals deals abroad.
Trump hosts Central Asian leaders as US seeks to get around China on rare earth metals
President Donald Trump has hosted leaders from five Central Asian countries at the White House. Thursday's meeting focused on securing rare earth metals needed for high-tech devices.
apnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Sec. Rubio said, “…the national interests of our respective countries are aligned” before Central Asian leaders met with Trump at the White House. He was correct: Trump and Central Asian leaders are committing human rights abuses at home while pursuing billions in critical minerals deals abroad.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
“Why is the Trump administration refusing to be transparent about how much money it’s spending on this political stunt?” asked @warren.senate.gov. “People don’t need troops in their backyard — they need health care, housing, and cheaper groceries.”
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
Trump’s Military Occupations of U.S. Cities Cost $473 Million and Rising
Trump’s campaign to quell dissent by deploying the American military to U.S. cities comes at an immense price.
theintercept.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:12 PM
“Why is the Trump administration refusing to be transparent about how much money it’s spending on this political stunt?” asked @warren.senate.gov. “People don’t need troops in their backyard — they need health care, housing, and cheaper groceries.”
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
theintercept.com/2025/11/11/c...
Okay what about weapons sales to India 👀👀👀
El-Sayed also said he opposes military assistance to Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia as well as Israel
November 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Okay what about weapons sales to India 👀👀👀
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Modi's silence on Mamdani’s victory reveals what terrifies Hindutva supporters. Young, progressive, interfaith, anti-establishment and unafraid, Zohran represents everything whose existence the Hindu Right has spent decades trying to deny.
I write in The Caravan
caravanmagazine.in/politics/mod...
I write in The Caravan
caravanmagazine.in/politics/mod...
Narendra Modi's silence on Zohran Mamdani’s victory reveals what terrifies Hindutva supporters
Zohran Mamdani represents everything whose existence the Hindu Right has spent decades trying to deny.
caravanmagazine.in
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Modi's silence on Mamdani’s victory reveals what terrifies Hindutva supporters. Young, progressive, interfaith, anti-establishment and unafraid, Zohran represents everything whose existence the Hindu Right has spent decades trying to deny.
I write in The Caravan
caravanmagazine.in/politics/mod...
I write in The Caravan
caravanmagazine.in/politics/mod...
Some of the Al Sharaa discourse from progressives is getting Islamophobic.
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Some of the Al Sharaa discourse from progressives is getting Islamophobic.
Indians don’t need to imagine what INC would look like under a certain alternative scenario - they can look to the inept opposition party that is the Democratic Party
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Indians don’t need to imagine what INC would look like under a certain alternative scenario - they can look to the inept opposition party that is the Democratic Party
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
To repeat: I have studied a lot of cases of autocratization over the past 15 years. Wrote about them, taught about them, consulting about them.
I do not recall an opposition so apathetic, ignorant, and inept as the @democrats.org. They cling to their power, rather than fight for democracy. Shame.
I do not recall an opposition so apathetic, ignorant, and inept as the @democrats.org. They cling to their power, rather than fight for democracy. Shame.
March 13, 2025 at 11:22 PM
To repeat: I have studied a lot of cases of autocratization over the past 15 years. Wrote about them, taught about them, consulting about them.
I do not recall an opposition so apathetic, ignorant, and inept as the @democrats.org. They cling to their power, rather than fight for democracy. Shame.
I do not recall an opposition so apathetic, ignorant, and inept as the @democrats.org. They cling to their power, rather than fight for democracy. Shame.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Afternoon reports that some Democratic Senators may yield completely to Republican demands in return for the mere scheduling of a December vote to keep premiums affordable for those relying upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This would represent trading something for nothing.
November 9, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Afternoon reports that some Democratic Senators may yield completely to Republican demands in return for the mere scheduling of a December vote to keep premiums affordable for those relying upon the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This would represent trading something for nothing.
Making everyone “the next Zohran” is unfair to all the politicians involved and it’s also bad for democracy! No one should be treated like a savior and no one should be expected to save the rest of us.
November 9, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Making everyone “the next Zohran” is unfair to all the politicians involved and it’s also bad for democracy! No one should be treated like a savior and no one should be expected to save the rest of us.
I need progressive foreign policy people to continually ask Ro Khanna his views on Modi, democracy, and human rights in India before they continue fawning over him
November 9, 2025 at 4:12 AM
I need progressive foreign policy people to continually ask Ro Khanna his views on Modi, democracy, and human rights in India before they continue fawning over him
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
India proposes to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad
Just a pathetic, needy, egomaniacal cult leader
Sources: Trump wants D.C. stadium named for him
A senior White House source said there have been back-channel communications with a member of the Commanders ownership group, led by Josh Harris, to express Trump's desire to have the $3.7 billion dom...
www.espn.com
November 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
India proposes to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad
Quick, who’s the junior Senator of Texas and what did he do on the 16th anniversary of 9/11
James Talarico, a Texas Democrat running for U.S. Senate who has put his faith at the forefront of his campaign, follows several adult film performers, escorts and OnlyFans models on Instagram, according to an Axios review.
Faith-forward Texas Senate candidate follows porn actors, escorts online
James Talarico has become a sensation in Texas politics by talking about how his Christianity is the basis for his progressive politics.
www.axios.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Quick, who’s the junior Senator of Texas and what did he do on the 16th anniversary of 9/11
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
The message behind the government shutdown is loud and clear: Hunger is acceptable collateral damage in service of Trump’s agenda.
The President Is Perfectly Fine If You Starve
The message behind the government shutdown is loud and clear: Hunger is acceptable collateral damage in service of Trump’s agenda.
interc.pt
November 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The message behind the government shutdown is loud and clear: Hunger is acceptable collateral damage in service of Trump’s agenda.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
He said that the agents would throw food at them to eat. The agents threatened to withhold food for a week and to beat him up if he didn't sign deportation papers. He said he saw others refuse and get beaten/receive no food. He signed because he was afraid.
November 7, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Nuremburg trials is the moderate position
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
Her husband was at Broadview one month and she was never able to talk to him. Not until he was already in Mexico. He had been in Chicago for 20 years. Her husband shared that the numbers of people there were astounding. It just makes me think how many people that are not counted/just disappeared.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Her husband was at Broadview one month and she was never able to talk to him. Not until he was already in Mexico. He had been in Chicago for 20 years. Her husband shared that the numbers of people there were astounding. It just makes me think how many people that are not counted/just disappeared.
Reposted by Ria Chakrabarty
First we take Manhattan.
Then we take Madrid.
Then we take Madrid.
November 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM
First we take Manhattan.
Then we take Madrid.
Then we take Madrid.