Description

This book analyses the communal problem in India, on the basis of facts and events richly supported evidence drawn from impeccable sources. British colonialists in persuance of their politics of divide and rule, have promoted various false notions and stereotypes about the nature of religion, ancient and medieval history and concepts of nation and nationalism. The elite sections of both the communities comprising of zamindars, property holders, highly placed bureaucrats in order to sub-serve their own interests, have aided and abetted the imperialist’s strategy by fomenting communial ideology and forces. The book proves this by narrating various facts and events as well as putting to scrutiny policies, strategy and tactics adopted by British rulers, and responses of major political forces. The book smashes the myth that Hindu and Muslims are different communities culturally adverse to each other or each of them being homogeneous entities because of the common religious faith. It also by gives the whole account of event leading to partition of India and proves that it was not the common masses of either community which were responsible for the tragedy; but the partition was brought about by British rulers with the help of elitist forces, unscruplously using the religious identity for political advantage in the name of community.

The author has dealt with the major political events which have contributed to resurgence and growth of communalism in the post-independence period. Though some of his formulations are bound to be controversial, they do lay down the basis for reexamination of old political policies and search for new perspectives, and for a more meaningful dialogue amongst all those genuinely concerned with the future of our country and Indian sub-continent in the coming century.

Contents

Preface and Acknowledgements

Chapter I Our Tasks Ahead

Chapter II Of Religion and Religious Identity

Chapter III Economic Background of the Emergence

of Communalism

Chapter IV Social Background of the Emergence

of Communalism

Chapter V The Communal Triangle in India

Chapter VI Communal Distortion of Indian History

Chapter VII Nation, ‘Hindu Nation’ and the ‘Two-

Nation’ Theory

Chapter VIII Hindu-Muslim Communalism in the

Post-Independence Period

Chapter IX Culture, Cultural Identity and ‘Cultural

Nationalism’

Epilogue .

Bibliography