Identity Politics and Insider vs. Outsider Debate in Mahesh Dattani’s Final Solutions

Abstract

Identity, as a term, looks so simple at first glance. Nevertheless, it has far-reaching roots contributing diversity of meaning given to numerous social, psychological, cultural and geopolitical factors that come into play invariably. The field of Cultural Studies has identity politics as one of its most eye catching and engaging ground of exploration with an array of meanings to proffer that are conflicting and comprehensive rendering one’s critical sensibilities a violent shake every now and then. Among a plethora of identity markers, Diasporic identity has recently invited a hefty amount of attention. Diaspora means mass migration from a layman’s understanding of the word. However, this dislocation is generally not voluntary in nature as suggested by mass exile of Jews from Israel in pre-Christian era. Going by the length and breadth of time, a huge chunk of Jewish population got murdered at the hands of state brutality and this carnage left an indelible imprint on public consciousness for ages to come. It kick started a fuming debate on cultural identity where hybridity emerged as new normal struggling for a recognition in water tight social and cultural compartments. India waded through troubling waters during partition when huge exodus happened across border and the paper at hand is a sincere attempt to gauge that dark experience. It movingly displays a disheartening picture of post partition dilemma. Mutual distrust was so deep-rooted that even people who migrated to the land of identical culture, caught up in confusion of that insider vs. outsider debate.