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Frantz Fanon at 100: the teachings of the 20th century thinker and psychiatrist remain chillingly contemporary

Frantz Fanon at 100: the teachings of the 20th century thinker and psychiatrist remain chillingly contemporary

The Hindu4 days ago
As we mark the centenary of his birth, Frantz Fanon's voice resonates with a more urgent clarity than ever before — within universities, on streets, and within the innermost consciousness of those compelled to defy the enduring legacies of empire.
A French-trained psychiatrist of Martinican origin, Fanon [1925-1961] later became an Algerian revolutionary, standing as one of the most influential and contested intellectuals of the post-World War era. While he was often caricatured, as a mere 'apostle of violence', in the words of Edward Said, a closer reading of his work reveals a rigorous and nuanced humanist, deeply committed to confronting injustice.
Traumas of colonisation
For me, Fanon has never been simply an author to teach; he is a thinker whose work unremittingly demands engagement, offering a framework through which to confront the complexities of our world. My introduction to the spirit behind his book, The Wretched of the Earth (1963), came not from a formal academic curriculum, but from the profound moral unrest and social upheavals that surrounded me. In those moments, traditional classrooms seemed to perpetuate silence and complicity, failing to provide a language to effectively address the structural violence and systemic discriminations that existed beyond their walls. It was Fanon, the intransigent revolutionary idealist, who gave me and my generation a vocabulary for that dissonance.
Later, as I began teaching postcolonial cultural theory, The Wretched and his earlier book, Black Skins, White Masks,transcended their role as mere texts, instead serving as a catalyst to unsettle the sterile academic environment and confront the harsh realities of colonial distress, while simultaneously igniting deep undying hope.
His work in Algeria powerfully exposed the psychological and political violence of French colonial rule, a dual perspective of a psychiatrist tending to the psychic traumas inflicted by colonisation, and a revolutionary theorist unflinchingly diagnosing the structural afflictions of empire and 'the systematic negation of the other'.
Challenging power structures
For students in India, Palestine, Africa, and beyond, his ideas, therefore, do not remain mere abstractions. In recent years, many across the world see in his writings a mirror to their own condition of militarised occupation, psychic ordeal, and a yearning for self-expression. In classroom conversations about Gaza, Fanon's examination of the coloniser's violence and the colonised's rage feels chillingly contemporary, when confronted by the vexing question: why, if people of Gaza are dying in such horrific numbers, does Israel persist in its relentless bombardment?
As Fanon would have answered, colonial violence is rarely about territorial control; it is theatrical, a grotesque display of supremacy, a ritualised annihilation feeding on breaking the human spirit. Similarly, the immigrant detention system in the United States is precisely based on Fanon's view of colonialism as a system of compartmentalisation, of dividing, isolating, and controlling bodies based on race, geography, and power.
This is why Fanon cannot be treated as a mere historical figure, frozen in 1961, the year he died. His centenary is not a commemoration but a confrontation at a time when the right-wing assault on universities intensifies, as dissent stands criminalised and academic freedom widely curtailed. Fanon offers not comfort but clarity, with a reminder that the university itself is a site of contestation where knowledge and power intersect and where dominant narratives reinforce existing power structures. However, universities also offer a platform for resistance, critique and transformation. His famous dictum that 'Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it' is a challenge that we must pass on to our students.
The questions remain
Understandably, Fanon's insistence on agency resonates powerfully with Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed (1968), another formative text in the intellectual journey of many radical activists. Like Fanon, Freire had emphasised that liberation is not a gift bestowed from above but a mutual process of becoming, through what he called conscientização, the practice of dialogue, critical consciousness, and praxis. Under their influence, the classroom ceased to be a sterile, apolitical space and revealed itself as a site of struggle where dominant ideologies nudge each other and where students do not remain passive recipients but turn into insurgent co-authors of knowledge and their own histories.
Fanon, as we all know, wrote in a time of war, exile, and revolutionary ferment. We, too, live in a time of mass displacement, resurgent fascism, and intellectual repression. His questions remain ours, challenging us to think critically about power, identity and freedom, encouraging us to strive for a world where individuals and communities can flourish without the shackles of oppression. His contemporary relevance is both clear and compelling.
The writer taught postcolonial cultural theory at Panjab University.
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Thailand-Cambodia Clashes Over 1,100-Yr-Old Lord Shiva Temple? Lesser-Known Truths About Dispute
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Thailand-Cambodia Clashes Over 1,100-Yr-Old Lord Shiva Temple? Lesser-Known Truths About Dispute

Preah Vihear temple is located between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Sisaket province in a mountainous area claimed by both countries. The 800 kilometres (roughly) border between Thailand and Cambodia has long been a source of tension and rivalry. Once again, violence has erupted, and at least 15 people, most of them civilians, have been killed as clashes continue. In response to the renewed conflict, Thailand has reportedly evacuated over 1,00,000 people from four provinces near the border. With both sides blaming each other, this isn't the first time tensions have escalated in the region. Among the areas of contention is the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple. What Is The Bone Of Contention? Preah Vihear temple is a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, perched atop the Dangrek mountain range along the Thailand-Cambodia border. The temple lies between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Sisaket province in a mountainous area claimed by both countries. The issue goes back to a 1907 map drawn during the French colonial rule of Cambodia. Cambodia uses this map to assert its claim over the temple and its surrounding areas. But Thailand says the map is unclear and was never officially accepted. In 1962, Cambodia took the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled in its favour. The court declared that the temple was located within Cambodian territory. But Thailand argued that the area surrounding the temple, about 4.6 square kilometres, remained unsettled. In 2008, Cambodia successfully got the Preah Vihear temple listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a move that angered Thailand and reignited tensions. Deadly clashes occurred in 2011, which killed at least 15 people and displaced thousands. The conflict was again brought before the ICJ, which in 2013 reaffirmed Cambodia's sovereignty, not just over the temple itself but also over the surrounding land. The court also proposed the creation of a demilitarised zone around the site to prevent further violence. However, according to the Associated Press, that decision was never implemented. Thailand later rejected the court's jurisdiction, and the dispute remains unresolved. Who Built The Temple And Its India Connection The Preah Vihear Temple traces its origins to the 9th century AD though the main structure seen today was largely built in the 11th century during the peak of the Khmer Empire. According to History Site, construction was initiated under King Suryavarman I (1002–1050) and later expanded by King Suryavarman II (1113–1150). Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is a standout example of classical Khmer architecture. The main shrine, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, is constructed from sandstone and houses a shivalinga along with libraries, as per The Indian Express. The larger complex also includes Prasat Ta Muen, a Mahayana Buddhist site built to offer refuge to travellers, and Prasat Ta Muen Tot, a hospital shrine serving the local community. In 2018, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cambodia to assist in the restoration and preservation of an ancient Lord Shiva temple, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Claims Of National Pride And Politics By Both Countries The Preah Vihear temple is very important to both Cambodia and Thailand. For Cambodia, it is a symbol of its rich history and Khmer culture. It is seen as one of the most spiritually important places in the country. For Thailand, the issue is about more than just land. Many nationalist groups believe the area near the temple belongs to Thailand. They feel that giving it up would be a loss of Thai territory and pride. One major problem is the unclear border. 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News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: July 25, 2025, 12:43 IST News viral Thailand-Cambodia Clashes Over 1,100-Yr-Old Lord Shiva Temple? Lesser-Known Truths About Dispute Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Message to Pak? Navy Day to be celebrated in Arabian Sea this year
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British F-35's Recovery Reminds Of Daring Rescue Of Mirage 2000 Jet From Mauritius
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New Delhi: The evacuation of a stranded British F-35B jet from Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday rekindled memories of a similar problem the Indian Air Force faced two decades ago - one of its Mirage-2000 jets was badly damaged and stuck in Mauritius for 22 days before a risky and audacious operation succeeded in flying it back to India. Incidentally, it also landed in Thiruvananthapuram. The little known mission to bring back the plane will go down in India's aviation history as one of the most celebrated demonstrations of piloting skills, courage and technical ingenuity of IAF engineers who made the aircraft airworthy in a short time after it had suffered extensive damage because of a belly landing in Mauritius. It also put the spotlight on the grit and planning skill of the pilot, Sqn Ldr Jaspreet Singh, who braved dangerous weather and conducted three mid-air refuellings to bring back the repaired Mirage. 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The 2126 nautical mile (nearly 4000 kilometer) flight to India was initially planned for October 20, but severe weather in the second half of the route, ruled out air-to-air refueling. "The inclement weather ensured that one Mirage 2000, one IL-78, one IL-76, and more than 50 IAF personnel were now stranded with the possibility that the wait could go on for weeks," said Jaspreet. However, on the morning of October 25, satellite pictures revealed that the first 1000 nautical miles (NM) of the flight route from Mauritius to TVM was clear, allowing three air to air refuelling. With the window of opportunity closing, Air Headquarters signed off for the ferry flight to take off on October 26, 2004. Jaspreet and the fighter took off at 7.55 am from a wet runway with very little fuel so as not to over stress the airframe. He entered the clouds almost immediately. But he had to ensure the first refuelling 11 minutes after take-off. There was zero margin for error. None was made. The Mirage refuelled in time and climbed safely to 25,000 feet. A second refuelling was also done successfully. Since refuelling was not possible in the final leg because of bad weather, the team came up with a plan: Jaspreet would top up fuel from the IL-78 while still 1100 NM short of Thiruvananthapuram and climb to a level above 40,000 feet to fly unaided the rest of the way. Flying at a higher altitude and optimum speed, the Mirage would consume less fuel. But it also meant flying the last 2 hours at 43,000 feet at 0.92 mach speed (or 0.92 per cent of the speed of sound). This was well beyond what the aircraft had been flight tested for. If the calculations were wrong or if a malfunction resulted in higher fuel consumption, the Mirage would have been in trouble. Explaining the feat, an expert said the single engine, single pilot Mirage jet undertook the transoceanic flight with no alternative airfields to land (in case of an emergency), travelling alone in a radar-less airspace with no direct radio contact with ground control and with bad weather which would have prevented any search and rescue operation over the ocean in case of an ejection. Along the way things were not smooth for Jaspreet. One of its radio sets failed, the fuel gauges gave incorrect indications and the oxygen almost finished in the cockpit. Yet the Mirage landed safely at Thiruvananthapuram at 2.50 pm. The next day, Jaspreet flew the Mirage to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited airfield in Bengaluru where it was fully repaired and returned to operational service almost four months later. Jaspreet was conferred the 'Vayu Sena' (Gallantry) medal by the President of India for his sincerity, exceptional courage and professionalism beyond the call of duty. "The ferry of Mirage-2000 across a stretch of 2126 nautical miles was one of the most challenging, daring and risky peacetime operations ever undertaken by a fighter aircraft in the history of the IAF," Singh's citation reads. Documenting the mission, an internal note of the IAF said: "Given the situation, not too many air forces in the world would have been bold enough to attempt this ferry. The IAF needs to be proud of this mission and the professionalism and courage shown by its personnel." PTI MPB VJ DV DV

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