Indian muslims since independence
- New Delhi Vikas Pub. 1995
- 246p.
Indian Muslims constitute the largest minority in India, and they comprise a major chunk of world's Muslim population. Indeed they constitute more than the entire Arab population put together. The Muslim question in modern India is historically, politically and emotionally charged. It acutely calls for a dispassionate academic analysis. Particularly in light of the rise of ethno- religious consciousness in the closing decade of the twentieth century. Unlike other books written on the topic by one academic for another academic, this book while densely documented and thoroughly researched, is meant not only for academics but also for the general public. It avoids esoteric terminology and jargon familiar enly to a handful of university teachers. The result is a clear, concise account of the experiences of Muslims in India since 1947. After an introduction of the subject- matter of the book, major issues concerning Indian Muslims are dealt, which are the sense of Muslim insecurity characterised by communal violence, the participation and share of Muslims in the national economy, the question of Muslim lag in modern education, the role of Urdu in the Muslim identity, Hindu majority views, attitudes and demands on the Muslims, and finally the political experience of the Muslim minority in the democratic politics. An appendix describes inilestones in the Muslim experience after independence.