Prakash Books - Now It’s Come to Distances : Notes on Shaheen Bagh and Coronavirus, Association and Isolation

Overview

Now It’s Come to Distances is a reflective work by philosopher Soumyabrata Choudhury that interweaves two pivotal moments in contemporary Indian history—the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Written in the form of notes and reflections, Choudhury examines the larger political, social, and philosophical implications of these events, exploring the tensions between isolation and association, public citizenship, and private survival during times of crisis.

Key Themes

• Citizenship and Exclusion: The book revisits the Shaheen Bagh protests, where marginalized groups, particularly Muslim women, questioned the definitions of citizenship and belonging in India. Choudhury probes the deeper implications of who gets to belong and how power structures enforce exclusion.
• Isolation vs. Association: The pandemic enforced physical isolation, but Choudhury examines whether social distancing has philosophical and political consequences beyond mere physical separation. He draws parallels between the imposed isolation of the pandemic and the alienation of communities like those represented at Shaheen Bagh.
• Politics of the ‘New Normal’: Choudhury critiques the notion of the "new normal" brought by the pandemic, questioning whether this normalization distances us from vital encounters with politics, art, and human connection.
• Ethics of Care and Neglect: The stark divide between those who could afford to isolate and those abandoned to survive on the streets during the lockdown poses questions about structural inequalities and societal responsibility.
• Art, Love, and Resistance: Despite the grimness of political and social isolation, the author also explores how encounters with art, love, and collective resistance can offer spaces of hope and immortality in an otherwise fractured society.

Writing Style

Choudhury’s writing is philosophical and abstract, blending dense theoretical analysis with personal reflections and observations. His work is aimed at readers with an interest in political philosophy, especially in the context of social movements and state power. The diary format provides a sense of immediacy, as if the reader is experiencing these events in real-time alongside the author.

Conclusion

Now It’s Come to Distances is a thought-provoking meditation on two significant crises in recent Indian history—one that questioned the right to belong and the other that demanded isolation. Choudhury’s reflections challenge the reader to think critically about the meaning of citizenship, isolation, and the intersections of politics and personal life. This book is ideal for those looking to engage deeply with the socio-political transformations in India and the philosophical implications of life in a world reshaped by both protest and pandemic.