The Silent Minority: Autism, Moral Truth, and the Politics of Being Heard in Contemporary India

Abstract

Autistic individuals remain largely absent from mainstream philosophical, religious, and political debates in India, despite the fact that their lived experiences directly engage questions of truth, power, dignity, and social responsibility. Discussions of autism in the Indian context are mostly confined to medical or welfare frameworks, leaving little room for philosophical or political reflection. This paper argues that autism should be understood not merely as a clinical category but as a philosophical and political lens that exposes the moral contradictions of contemporary Indian society.

By placing autistic modes of communication and perception in connection with classical Indian ideas of satya, modern structures of normalcy and authority, religious practices of belonging, and the digitally saturated culture of Indian youth, this study challenges dominant assumptions about normality, communication, and inclusion. It highlights how autistic clarity and resistance to social performance unsettle a society that publicly values truth yet often prioritizes comfort and conformity over ethical consistency.

In an era marked by political polarization, curated identities, and sensory overload, autistic experiences invite a rethinking of what it means to speak honestly, listen ethically, and participate meaningfully in community life. The paper ultimately argues that engaging seriously with autistic perspectives is an ethical necessity, with important implications for how truth, inclusion, and moral responsibility are understood in contemporary India.