English as Power & Class Gatekeeper in South Asia: A Conversation That Hits Home

In Episode 104 of Unraveled, Marvi Sirmed sits down with author and education expert Aamir Hasan to unpack one of South Asia’s most uncomfortable truths: English isn’t just a language—it is a gateway, a class barrier, and often the first test of whether society will take you seriously. His new book, The Identity Reconstruction of Subaltern English Learners, based on research across India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan, argues that millions of non-elite learners use English not only to access opportunity but to rebuild their identities, dignity, and self-worth. In this deeply personal and politically sharp conversation, we explore: 1. Why English has become a marker of class and credibility in South Asia 2. How “English anxiety” shapes our childhoods, careers, and confidence 3. Real stories of Subaltern learners transforming their lives through English 4. Whether English empowers the marginalized—or strengthens elites 5. The controversial idea: Has English become a basic human right in South Asia? 6. And the biggest question: Is English the problem, or is it our class system? This episode speaks to anyone who has ever been judged for their accent, educated identity, or background—and to anyone who has benefited from English without noticing the privilege it carries. If you care about class, justice, education, or identity in South Asia, this is a conversation you cannot miss. Book Discussed: The Identity Reconstruction of Subaltern English Learners Guest: Aamir Hasan, researcher, educator, and expert on linguistic inequity Host: Marvi Sirmed, journalist & anchor of Unraveled Watch, share, and join the conversation. Let’s finally talk about the class lines that shape us—and the language that often decides our fate.