The politics of Indian secularism
Article Abstract:
Majoritarianism, the authorized nationalist variety of Indian secularism, serves to strengthen the democratic and representative credentials of India's political system while serving ruling caste and class interests. The Indian version of secularism is based on a communally compartmentalized vision of India, where various communities enjoying equal status cooperate, but where, in reality, the Hindus as a majority enjoy a special status. It has been found that various Indian communities can cooperate only when working for social change and that cooperation in other circumstances is difficult.
Publication Name: Modern Asian Studies
Subject: Regional focus/area studies
ISSN: 0026-749X
Year: 1992
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Whither Indian secularism?
Article Abstract:
Secularism in India faces a problematic future. The common Western view of secularism as little more than anti-religious feeling does not apply in India where the sacred-secular dichotomy is not generally accepted. This may explain why secularism, though written into the Constitution at the instigation of Jawaharlal Nehru, appears to be threatened by Hindu-Muslim and Hindu-Sikh conflicts. Re-evaluation of the state's role in Indian society, clarification of the meaning of secularism in the Constitution and educational reform are needed to prevent the dissolution of India.
Publication Name: Modern Asian Studies
Subject: Regional focus/area studies
ISSN: 0026-749X
Year: 1993
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Generational changes in the leadership of the Ahl-e Sunnat movement in North India during the twentieth century
Article Abstract:
The Ahl-e Sunnat branch of the Sunni Muslims in Northern India was defined by scholarly achievement during the early twentieth century but later began to practice a combination of scholarly work and community service. The two strands in the tradition were best represented by the scholar Ahmad Riza Khan, who founded the branch, and his son, Mustafa Riza Khan, who traveled widely, served the poor and treated Hindus with respect.
Publication Name: Modern Asian Studies
Subject: Regional focus/area studies
ISSN: 0026-749X
Year: 1998
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