Communalism In Modern India

With special reference to India.

Modern Indian studies have recently become a site for new, creative, and thought-provoking debates extending over a broad canvas of crucial issues. As a result of socio-political transformations, certain concepts—such as ahimsa, caste, darshan, and race—have taken on different meanings. Bringing together ideas, issues, and debates salient to modern Indian studies, this volume charts the social, cultural, political, and economic processes at work in the Indian subcontinent. Authored by internationally recognized experts, this volume comprises over one hundred individual entries on concepts central to their respective fields of specialization, highlighting crucial issues and debates in a lucid and concise manner. Each concept is accompanied by a critical analysis of its trajectory and a succinct discussion of its significance in the academic arena as well as in the public sphere. Enhancing the shared framework of understanding about the Indian subcontinent, Key Concepts in Modern Indian Studies will provide the reader with insights into vital debates about the region, underscoring the compelling issues emanating from colonialism and postcolonialism.

This book explores the ascent and trajectory of communal ideology in pre-Partition Bengal-from the famine of 1943 to the Noakhali riots of 1946-47. The first major work to analyse communalism as an ideology located in a concrete historical plane, this book argues that the period after 1943 witnessed a clash between nationalism and communalism, where communal ideologies embarked on a new phase, determined to replace nationalism. Among the distinguishing features of this important study are that it: - Critically evaluates the historiography of communalism in India - Relates the occurrence of the Bengal famine of 1943 to the agendas and activities of the major political parties of that region-the Muslim League, the Hindu Mahasabha, the Congress and the Communist Party of India - Examines in detail the Calcutta riots of 1946 and the role of both the colonial authorities and the Premier of the province, H S Suhrawardy, in the violence - Presents an entirely fresh perspective on the reasons behind the Noakhali riots with the help of an array of new sources, both primary and secondary - Analyses Gandhi`s visit to Noakhali, presenting him as resolute and prepared to embark on an ideological fight against communalism.

What do we mean when we say India is a secular country? How is secularism defined and to what extent are secular tenets reflected in our public and private life? Are there hidden communal agendas that are innate to the socio-cultural ethos of India, and can these ýcommunal elementsý as they are so often referred to indeed undermine the integrity of the country? These are questions that must concern every educated and intelligent citizen as India makes its way into the new millennium. In a year that has seen the gruesome murder of the missionary Graham Staines, the resignation of the foreign-born president of the Congress from her post following protests about her un-Indianness, and the fall of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government at the Centre by a single vote, it has become more necessary than ever to take a hard look at the ýunity in diversityý that India as a nation-state is supposed to represent, and to identify the strands of communalism that run through our socio-political fabric. In this remarkable and timely book edited by K.N. Panikkar who provides an illuminating introduction on the subject, six commentators on contemporary India reveal the stark truth about the communal, sectarian and segregationist tendencies that have always lurked behind our secular facade. While Romila Thaparýs essay provides a historical overview of communalism in India, Rajeev Dhavan pinpoints the legal underpinnings of the secular identity that is propounded in Indiaýs Constitution. Sumit Sarkar looks closely at the vexed issue of conversions which is at the centre of current debates on communalism. Jayati Ghosh, on the other hand, studies the destructive effects of communal agendas on the liberalized economy. Tanika Sarkarýs essay straddles the twin issues of gender and communalism to show how all marginalized sections are rendered equally vulnerable by the spread of communalism. Finally, Siddharth Vardarajan looks at the interesting relationship between communal thought and its representations in the media and popular culture. Thought provoking and incisive, The Concerned Indianýs Guide to Communalism urges us to question where we stand with regard to communalism at the close of the millennium, and challenges us to fashion a truly secular identity for ourselves in the twenty-first century.

Revised version of papers presented at a seminar organised by All India Radio in October 1968.

Seminar papers.

Transcript of lectures organized by the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development, Chandigarh; chiefly in the context of India of the eighties.