Building Strong Neighbourhoods Religion and Politics in Secular India

includes index and biblioraphy

INDIA AND INDIAN ETHOS India: Introductory Remarks Indian Ethos: Unity within Diversity , SECULAR VIS-A-VIS RELIGIOUS NATIONALISM India as a Secular State: Intent of its Founders Secularism Contested by Theocrats/Religionists TRACING THE ROOTS OF COMMUNALISM Foundations of Hindu Nationalism "Hindutva" Political and Communal Affiliates Building Strong Neighbourhoods MIX OF POLITICS AND RELIGION: FACTS OF COMMUNAL HISTORY Shah Bano`s Case Roop Kanwar`s Case Babri Masjid`s Case Nation-wide Anti-Christian campaign Swadesi Jargon "Vande Mataram" and "Saraswathi Vandana" "Thamizhthai Vazhthu" (Obeisance to Mother Tamil) Tampering with Special Minority Rights Hindutva Agenda in the Field of Education The Politics of Rewriting History in India Anti-Muslim Terrorism in Gujarat Islamic Fundamentalism and Terrorism in India Christian Aggressiveness APPROACHES TO THE CHALLENGES OF IDENTITY POLITICS AND COMMUNALISM CONSTITUTIONAL OR LEGAL MODEL Indian Constitution and Law Code on Freedom of Religion and Minority Rights Personal Laws vs. Uniform Civil Code Women, the prime victims of communal violence Use of Religion and Religious Identity for Political Discussion and Mobilization In the case of Babri Masjid In the case of anti-Christian Campaign In the case of Godhra incident In the case of Best Bakery Other issues involving Religion and Constitution/Law In the case of Cow Slaughter In die case of Temple Entry Act In die case of Minority Educational Institutions In the case of Religious and Charitable Endowments Act In die case of State Intervention and Religious Reforms In die case of Excommunication NEIBOURHOOD OR "COMMUNITY" MODEL The Biblical Understanding of Community Community as Understood by Indian Religious Ethos Promoting oneness-within-diversity Building Strong Neighbourhoods - A Collective Exercise