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Unmasking Indian Secularism: Why We Need a New Hindu-Muslim Deal

Unmasking Indian Secularism: Why We Need a New Hindu-Muslim Deal

Hasan Suroor
266 295 (10% off)
ISBN 13
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9789355204066
Binding
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Softcover
Language
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English
Year
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2022
Was the rationale behind choosing secularism as a state policy correct? Was a western concept suited to a deeply religious Indian society Was secularism destined to fail? In a bold attempt to help break the impasse in Hindu–Muslim relation, this book brings a much-needed perspective to a polarized debate on conflicting notions of secularism. It calls for de-hyphenating the so-called ‘Muslim Question’ (place of Muslims in a Hindu-majority India) from the wider debate on secularism and advocates a new Hindu–Muslim deal based around the centuries-old common cultural heritage skirting religious differences. In a refreshing break from liberal orthodoxy, the book explores the idea of a secular Hindu state which will recognize Hinduism as the official religion but guarantee equal rights to all its citizens, irrespective of their faith: a version of Britain’s secular Christian state. An incisive analysis of why secularism failed and the rise of majoritarian Hindu nationalism, it underlines the urgent need for a new road map to restore communal harmony before it’s too late for course correction. About the Author Hasan Suroor is a well-known journalist and has written extensively on identity politics and Hindu–Muslim relations. He was a Press Fellow at Wolfson College, Cambridge University, studying the British experience of multiculturalism. His previous works include India’s Muslim Spring: Why Is Nobody Talking About It? Who Killed Liberal Islam and Making Sense of Modi’s India (ed).