Dr. Sanjay Kumar, a 53-year-old pediatrician from the small town of Sitamarhi in Bihar, is more than just a medical professional. With an MBBS and MD in Pediatrics from Patna Medical College and further qualifications including MRCPCH I & II (UK), Dr. Kumar has established a solid foundation in medicine. Yet, beyond his clinical expertise lies a passionate historian and keen social commentator who seeks to challenge prevailing narratives about India’s socio-political fabric. His debut book, Khara Pani—literally meaning “brackish water” that is difficult to swallow—reflects this blend of academic discipline and unapologetic inquiry.
Dr. Kumar’s unique approach combines medical rigor with out-of-the-box perspectives on history and modern politics. What sets him apart is his ability to unravel contemporary socio-political issues by illuminating little-known or overlooked historical facts. Practicing medicine in Sitamarhi, he nurtured a deep passion for Indian history, inspired especially by the hardships faced by religious minorities today. These experiences and reflections culminated during the COVID-19 lockdown, when he found the time and impetus to finally put pen to paper on a project he had long conceived since his college days.
Khara Pani is not an ordinary political treatise. It boldly exposes uncomfortable truths, sparing no one—from revered leaders like Gandhi and his followers to communalists as well as socialists. Chapters are arranged in chronological order, focusing on events from the past decade that have profoundly unsettled India’s intellectual and cultural landscape, and threatened the secular fabric that the nation prides itself on. Of particular note is the critical examination of the Indian Constitution and its architect, which challenges both staunch Ambedkar supporters and constitutional admirers alike.
Further, Dr. Kumar dissects hypnotizing figures such as Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose with a critical lens that might be unsettling for his ardent followers. He also tackles the communal tensions exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, exposing how minorities were unfairly targeted without any rhyme or reason. One of the book’s most provocative chapters probes who the real oppressors in Hindu-Muslim dynamics have been, and resurrects controversial historical figures like Aurangzeb to scrutinize their legacy meticulously. This analysis offers “litres of brackish water” to hard-core communalists, and even socialists masquerading as secularists feel the sting of his critique.
Dr. Kumar invites readers, especially those seeking to understand history beyond the sanitized versions often taught in government textbooks, to immerse themselves in Khara Pani and taste these challenging “brackish waters.” For those who want to delve deep into history with discerning without reading a text book of history, the book promises to be an enlightening journey.
Beyond Khara Pani, Dr. Kumar plans to explore the marginalization of religious minorities and socially fringe populations further, through Hindi stories. His ambition is to raise awareness and empathy by portraying neglected voices from Indian society.
In a time when history and politics are frequently contested terrains, Dr. Sanjay Kumar offers a refreshing, critical voice—one rooted in rigorous thought and personal commitment—reminding us that understanding the past honestly is vital to addressing present-day challenges.
The book is now available on Amazon https://www.amazon.in/dp/9367831935
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