Communalism explained-a graphic account

This book is a broad overview of the phenomenon of communalism and terrorism,
which has gripped the country and other parts of the World. It takes up the theme
in a question-answer format and is enriched by the graphics, which supplement the
text. The narrative begins with the demolition of Babri Mosque on 6th December
1992, goes on to the horrific violence, which followed the Babri demolition and tries
to understand the forces, which instigate and sustain this violence.
It goes on to the tragedy of Godhra train catching fire and the carnage unleashed
on that pretext. It gives the extracts from Citizens Tribunal, Bannerjee Commission
and the Tehelka expose on the carnage.
The next chapters take up the understanding of Indian society. The syncretic
traditions in the arena of religion, the mixed heritage in the area of literature, art,
culture and aspects of social life is outlined. The arrival British lays the foundation
of communal politics. The agenda of British colonialists and their manipulation of
the landlord sections and landlord-elites' ideology in the communal direction
leading to partition tragedy and the sowing the seeds of discord in Kashmir are
outlined.
The values emerging form freedom movement, the role of Gandhi in freedom
movement, the values of rising classes: Secular democracy in contrast to the
communal politics of declining sections of society is compared and contrasted. The
book also demolishes the misconceptions about minorities prevalent in the society,
like why temples were destroyed, why conversions took place, the truth behind
polygamy and more children, the nature of Christian missionary work, the truth
behind the politics of terror are outlined in a lucid manner. Finally the book
delineates the steps to strengthen secular and democratic values in the society.
This book is an attempt to present the issues at hand in a simple manner for the
average reader, students and youth. The question answer form delineates the
issues and prompts the reader to think about the topic. The graphic form makes it
easy for the reader to comprehend the issues in an easy form.
We wish to thank Nisha Agrawal, K. Kannan (Oxfam India) and Sunder Mohan
Murmu (World Comics India) for their valuable support, making it possible to bring
out the graphic form of the book. As we aim to increase the awareness about these
issues in the society this support will go a long way in helping us achieve our goal.