Author: Rudolf C Heredia
Edward Mathias/
Publisher: Indian Social Institute
Year: 1995
Language: English
Pages: 247
ISBN/UPC (if available): N/A
Description
The contributions in this volume represent a secular-liberal perspective, and while there is room for differing points of view, any national consensus on this complex subject must draw its inspiration from the principles and ideals of our Constitution.
Secularism is a difficult and complex subject, particularly in a country as culturally diverse and multi-religious as India. With the rise of religious fundamentalism and cultural nationalism in the country, the debate on secularism has become an overheated confrontation of contradictory points of view. Gandhian tolerance and Nehruvian rationalism, which were once the basis of our social consensus, are now contested and even rejected outright by some sections of our society. The cynical calculations of electoral politics have manipulated religious sentiment to the point of frenzy and despair, as epitomized in the Mandir-Masjid controversy.
The contributions in this volume represent a secular-liberal perspective as articulated in our Constitution. Within such a discourse there is room for differing points of view. However, any national consensus on this complex subject must draw its inspiration from the principles and ideals of our Constitution.
The Presentations in this volume do not intend to close the discussion on secularism. Rather we hope to open it to a collective search to strengthen the processes of secularization in our society, since we believe this is be progressive liberation as well.
Contents
Preface
Introduction
General Perspectives and Particular Studies: An Overview
PART I : GENERAL PERSPECTIVES
Secularism and Secularization: Nation Building in a Multi-Religious Society
Secularism in India -- Theory and Practice
The Struggle for the Redefinition of Secularism in India: Some Preliminary Reflection
Secularism Versus Pseudo-Secularism: An Indian Debate
Communalism and the Conceptualization of ‘Hindu Rashtra’
Religious Conflicts and Changes in Indian Political Culture
A Socio-Political Analysis of the Post-Ayodhya Situation in India
PART II: PARTICULAR STUDIES
Secularism in a Federal Context: Regional Formations and Communal Forces
Collective Identity and Secularism: Discourse of the Dravidian Movement in Tamil Nadu
Redefining the Agenda of the Women’s Movement within a Secular Framework
The Church and Politics in Goa: Utilitarian Calculus of Ethical Imperative
The Riots and the Perception of the People: Notes from the Field
Conclusion
Secularism and Human Liberation: A Workpaper
Index