Religious Politics in India - (1857-2008): Compiled and Edited by Pramod Shah

Thoughts on Religious Politics in India (1857-2008): Compiled and Edited by Pramod Shah; Pub. by Society for National Awareness, Tobacco House, 1 Old Court House Corner, Kolkata-700001. Rs. 500 each.

This three-volume publication, with a rather provocative title, is a chronological presentation of important writings, speeches, and documents throwing light essentially on how, over the past century and a half, the Hindu-Muslim relationship has shaped or influenced the course of India’s political history. The first volume covers the period 1857-1947, from the first freedom struggle to the attainment of Independence. The second deals with the ‘single party government’ phase (up to December 1, 1989) and the third covers the ‘coalition’ phase, till August 15, 2008. More than 250 pieces — reproductions of speeches, parliamentary debates, diaries, media interviews, personal diaries, news items and so on — attributed to eminent public figures (the whole range of them including statesmen, political thinkers, scientists, philosophers, saints, poets, social workers, and columnists) have found a place in this stupendous work. The compilation, described as a “labour of love” for the author, provides a wealth of material for researchers to explore further.