Secularism and Ayodhya Politics in India

Contents: Preface. Abbreviations. 1. What is secularism? 2. Distortions in secularism. 3. A case of Ayodhya. 4. Ayodhya: Archeological and legal dimensions. 5. Political parties and Indian secularism. 6. Politico-religious organisations. 7. Re-defining secularism: resolving Ayodhya. Appendix. Select bibliography. Index.

"This book analyses and examines the concept of secularism that has always remained at the center of political debate of the nation to an extent of marginalizing the forces of social justice and has been the decision-maker of national agenda. It has always opened up new horizons of ideological debates. It can be an absolutely practical creed that reduces the potential for social friction, and, at the same time, converge into a reactionary movement leading to the transformation of the liberal, tolerant and patriot Hindu society into a monolithic centralized religious group. However, its distinctiveness lies in the fact that all sides swear by it, all treating it as true and authentic in their own relegated spheres of thought and action." (jacket)