-Friday World – March 18, 2026
On 9 March 2026 in New Delhi, during a discussion on her new book Mother Mary Comes to Me, Booker Prize-winning author Arundhati Roy stunned the audience by standing up and delivering an unscripted, powerful condemnation of the US-Israel military strikes on Iran. She declared clearly and without hesitation: "I stand unequivocally with Iran." The statement came amid escalating war in the region and immediately went viral across global media.
→ Full Context of Her Words Roy began by linking her remarks to the candid and impolite spirit of her book: "In the spirit of candour and impoliteness of *Mother Mary Comes to Me, I want to say that the United States and Israel have launched an unprovoked and illegal attack on Iran. This is merely an extension of the ongoing genocide in Gaza. But Iran is not Gaza. The theatre of this war can swallow the entire world. We stand on the brink of nuclear annihilation and global economic collapse."
→ Direct Attack on Regime Change Logic She continued sharply: "The regimes that need to be changed are the United States, Israel, and our own government – and they must be changed by their own people, not by any lying, greedy, bomb-dropping imperial power. Iran is standing up to them, while India cowers in fear. I feel ashamed of my government’s gutlessness and spinelessness."
Criticism of India's Foreign Policy Roy did not hold back on India's official stance: "Our Prime Minister travels to Israel and embraces Netanyahu just days before the strikes. We sign grovelling trade deals with America that sell out our farmers and textile workers. Is this our dignity? Why is our government so weak in front of the United States that it cannot even condemn these attacks on Iran?"
Is This Her Own Voice or External Pressure?Arundhati Roy's position aligns perfectly with her long-standing worldview. For decades she has openly criticised American imperialism, Israeli policies in Palestine, and what she sees as India's submissive foreign policy. She previously called Israel's actions in Gaza a "genocide," wrote extensively against capitalism and empire in essays like *Capitalism: A Ghost Story*, and consistently supported causes ranging from Kashmir to farmers' protests.
Evidence of Independent Stance There is no indication that this statement was forced or scripted by any authority. It appeared spontaneous, delivered at the end of a book event, and received a standing ovation from the audience. Multiple reports describe it as her "personal stand," unplanned and unprompted. Roy has a long history of speaking out even when it invited sedition cases, Naxalite-sympathiser allegations, and widespread controversy – yet she has never backed down.
India's Official Position & the Controversy It Sparked The Indian government issued only a mild call for "peace and dialogue" without condemning the US-Israel strikes. India maintains deep strategic ties with the US (QUAD, Indo-Pacific framework) and Israel (defence purchases), while still importing oil from Iran. Roy labelled this balancing act "devoid of sovereignty and courage," accusing New Delhi of prioritising Western alliances over moral independence.
Global Stakes & Roy's Warning The Iran conflict has already driven oil prices sky-high, with the threat of a complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz looming. Roy warned: "The country that dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki is now preparing to bomb one of the world's oldest civilisations. This war can go nuclear – and the entire planet will pay the price."
Roy's Legacy: Controversial Yet Fearless Arundhati Roy became the youngest Booker winner in 1997 with *The God of Small Things*. Over the years her political writings and activism have made her one of India's most polarising intellectuals – loved as a voice of truth by supporters, criticised as "anti-India" by detractors. Yet she remains uncompromising. Her Iran statement has been widely covered by Zeteo, The Wire, MR Online, Dawn, and international outlets, sparking fresh global debate.
Conclusion – A Voice That Refuses to Be Silenced This declaration was not the result of pressure – it is Arundhati Roy's own fearless, consistent voice. She stands with the people of Iran, calls for dignity from her own government, and reminds the world that silence in the face of empire is complicity. In an era of nuclear brinkmanship and great-power rivalry, such independent voices remain essential.
Sajjadali Nayani ✍
Friday World – March 18, 2026
