Author: Arun Shourie
Publisher: HarperCollins
Year: 1998
Language: English
Pages: 376
ISBN/UPC (if available): 8172232586
Description
Indian secularism consists of branding others communal. Instead this book deals with specifics: what ought to be done in regard to Articles of the Constitution which deal with freedom of religion - Articles 25 or 26, for instance; in regard to Articles 29 and 30 which deal with the question of minority institutions; in regard to Article 44 which directs the State to ensure a Common Civil Code for all citizens throughout the country etc.
In this book, the author argues that a Secular Agenda is contingent on three things: purging public discourse of double standards, and grounding it in facts; reviving the national spirit; and getting the best into public life - persons of integrity and competence, persons who are dedicated to the country. For that reason not only are the first and last parts of the book devoted to these matters, they are the themes that permeate the entire book.
Contents
Introduction
OUR NATION ?
CHAPTER I
"But we aren't even one nation"
CHAPTER II
Yes, India is different
CHAPTER III
Not just Macaulay's offspring
CHAPTER IV
An example of the consequences
CHAPTER V
Will amnesia build a nation ?
CHAPTER VI
Nationalism : Things to do
MATTERS OF RELIGION
CHAPTER VII
Getting down to specifics
CHAPTER VIII
What are "matters of religion"?
CHAPTER IX
The real character of institution
THE SHARIAT AND THE COMMON CIVIL CODE
CHAPTER X
Sacrosanct ?Since when ?
CHAPTER XI
Why was the Bill necessary at all ?
CHAPTER XII
But What is the "Shariat' ?
CHAPTER XIII
What was the hullabaloo about ?
CHAPTER XIV
Bound by a thing of this sort ?
CHAPTER XV
How is religion endangered ?
CHAPTER XVI
Common Civil Code : The Founding Fathers' Intent
CHAPTER XVII
Common Civil Code : The way ahead
KYA " VOH GHISTE GHISTE GHIS JAAYEGI" ?
CHAPTER XVIII
Voh " ghiste ghiste ghis jaayegi"
CHAPTER XIX
Article 370: Behind the Curtain
CHAPTER XX
A device that undermines itself
CHAPTER XXI
Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
CHAPTER XXII
A Vital reform
CHAPTER XXIII
No time to relent
A COUNTRY OF A WASTE-PAPER BASKET ?
CHAPTER XXIV
A Country or a Waste-paper basket ?
CHAPTER XXV
A telling contrast
CHAPTER XXVI
How countries kill themselves
CHAPTER XXVII
Entangling them
CHAPTER XXVIII
A Note, bests a Note, begets aà
CHAPTER XXIX
"We beg of the Prime Ministerà"
CHAPTER XXX
"Not able to sort of count them"
CHAPTER XXXI
The real problem, the real solution
Appendix I : Problem of Infiltration from Bangladesh
Appendix II : Migration : Secularism vs. Fundamentalism
HINDU-MUSLIM RELATIONS
CHAPTER XXXII
The journey of a thousand miles
CHAPTER XXXIII
Vital distinctions
CHAPTER XXXIV
Is 'A Grand Reconciliation' what we need ?
THE SECULARISTS' DISCOURSE
CHAPTER XXXV
The Poor chaps !
CHAPTER XXXVI
From Aliens to the Alienated
CHAPTER XXXVII
Read before you quote
Index