Towards Understanding Communalism (2 Volumes Set)

This Volume Is An Effort To Understand And Counter Communalism And Communal Violence In India. The Phenomenon Has Been Understood In The Context Of Specificities Of Historical Experience And The Nature Of Social, Economic, Political, Cultural And Religious Reformations. It Has Contributions Of Scholars And Experts Subscribing To Competing Theoretical Frameworks Of Knowledge. It Has Pooled Specialist Knowledge On The Subject And Also Consequences Of Growing Communalism For Secularism And Democracy. An Important Area Which Has Been Covered In This Volume Is Relate To The Weakening Of Secular Strands In The Functioning Of Polity. The Increasing Use Of Communalism As A Political Weapon With Dangerous Implications For Indian State And Society Have Been Analysed. Is It Possible To Have Democracy In A Situation Where Communalism Is Becoming A Pervasive Reality? The Answer To This Question Is Resounding No And The Contributors Have Explained, Why. The Venture Has Also Raised A Fundamental Question, Why And How Religion Becomes Basis Of Communal Mobilizations? Further The Demand For A Separate Nation Having Its Basis In Communalism Has Been Critically Examined. The Mere Fact, This Demand Has Been Articulated On The Basis Of Communalism, Does Not Establish The Truth Of That Ideology Or Politics. The Need To Look At The Historical Role Of Culture, Religion, Language In The Formation Of Breaking Up Of Identities Has Been Reinforced. The Need To Reflect The Federal Character Of Indian Social Reality Into Operative Politics, Revival Of Democratic Institutions And Secular Norms Has Been Stressed.