The Deoliwallahs

The True Story of the 1962 Chinese Indian Internment

The Deoliwallahs sheds light on a lesser-known chapter of Indian history—the internment of Chinese Indians following the 1962 Sino-Indian War. During the war, around 3,000 Indians of Chinese descent were detained in a camp in Deoli, Rajasthan, under suspicion of espionage. Many of these individuals had deep roots in India, with families that had lived there for generations. The book recounts their harrowing experiences, including abrupt arrests, harsh conditions in the camp, and the emotional toll of being ostracized by their own country.

Alternating between historical context and the personal stories of survivors, authors Joy Ma and Dilip D'Souza weave together a compelling and emotional account of a nearly forgotten community of people interned against their will. The book draws parallels with other instances of internment, such as the Japanese American experience during World War II, highlighting the universal themes of identity, citizenship, and the consequences of fear-driven policies.

A documentary, Voices of Deoli (2025), directed by Lulu Men with author Joy Ma serving as executive producer, along with Michael Cheng and Neela D'Souza, also shares the stories of survivors and, like the book, serves as a powerful reminder of the fragility of rights and the impact of prejudice.

Contributor: Shashi Tharoor (Foreword by)

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