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COMMUNAL RAGE IN SECULAR INDIA
The book is about the attack and arson in the Sabarmati Express at Godhra.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 20, 2021
Communal Rage in Secular India is a revelatory piece by Zakaria.
The book came after the genocide of Muslims in Gujarat, India in 2002 in response to the killing of Kar Sevaks in Godhara, Gujarat. It has elaborately highlighted both, the theories that formed part of the post-genocide dialectic that ensued the massacre, media coverage, and how it was painted with communal colours.
The later chapters discuss the misconceptions, which readers would appreciate and would relate their ignorance towards, that dominate the minds of the non-Muslims about Islam as a religion. The apt meaning of many terminologies viz. fatwa, jihad, jizya, and the like which have so far clouded the judgments of many have come out totally differently, substantiated with the relevant verses in the Islamic texts. Moreover, the misapprehension about preaching of non-violence in Islam, how it actually originated and reached its grossest distortion presently, makes it an intriguing read.
Zakaria has concluded the essays with lesson cum advice about what Muslims should do to counter the hatred towards them. While some very interesting suggestions have been put in place like asking the Muslims to be part of one nation and contributing as much to it as the non-Muslims do, it could seem a tad unjust to expect an oppressed populace to eat the humble pie and move forward because they are a minority.
Zakaria's book makes a perfect and must-read. It not only uproots the delusions about Muslims and tenets of Islam, like polygamy, non-violence, abstinence from birth control measures but also gives a way forward with some very concrete and relevant suggestions.
The book came after the genocide of Muslims in Gujarat, India in 2002 in response to the killing of Kar Sevaks in Godhara, Gujarat. It has elaborately highlighted both, the theories that formed part of the post-genocide dialectic that ensued the massacre, media coverage, and how it was painted with communal colours.
The later chapters discuss the misconceptions, which readers would appreciate and would relate their ignorance towards, that dominate the minds of the non-Muslims about Islam as a religion. The apt meaning of many terminologies viz. fatwa, jihad, jizya, and the like which have so far clouded the judgments of many have come out totally differently, substantiated with the relevant verses in the Islamic texts. Moreover, the misapprehension about preaching of non-violence in Islam, how it actually originated and reached its grossest distortion presently, makes it an intriguing read.
Zakaria has concluded the essays with lesson cum advice about what Muslims should do to counter the hatred towards them. While some very interesting suggestions have been put in place like asking the Muslims to be part of one nation and contributing as much to it as the non-Muslims do, it could seem a tad unjust to expect an oppressed populace to eat the humble pie and move forward because they are a minority.
Zakaria's book makes a perfect and must-read. It not only uproots the delusions about Muslims and tenets of Islam, like polygamy, non-violence, abstinence from birth control measures but also gives a way forward with some very concrete and relevant suggestions.
November 29, 2019
Rafiq Zakaria has done a service to the spectacular people of India. It categorically asserts the perennial heritage of Indian culture--its diversity and heterogeneity, its broadness and holistic vision, its unity in diversity. Yes there are graphic descriptions and reports of notorious and systematic Gujrat 2002 carnage that can be compared to the butchery of Bosnian Muslims by Slobodan Milošević. Readers will be saddened by the printed words of mutilation, rape, arson, killing, etc.
The celebrated scholar has elucidated worrisome issues which whet the escalation communal tension very judiciously and disinterestedly. Nowhere can one find a partisan outlook. He is so upset with this terrible carnage that he confesses his inability to write the book. But its need he feels, and that's way the book comes to us.
Moreover, the book through survey of various liberal literary and historical luminaries hammers on the strength and unity of India, and that will not be possible putting a huge chunk of minority into a ghetto. It is a cry from a cerebral leader of common sense and pragmatism to see the ways where the Indians can meet and exchange ideas and make an inroad to the world with its inherent pride and spirit.
Today this book and its like are saving our grace by its counter narrative where extremism has no place.
The celebrated scholar has elucidated worrisome issues which whet the escalation communal tension very judiciously and disinterestedly. Nowhere can one find a partisan outlook. He is so upset with this terrible carnage that he confesses his inability to write the book. But its need he feels, and that's way the book comes to us.
Moreover, the book through survey of various liberal literary and historical luminaries hammers on the strength and unity of India, and that will not be possible putting a huge chunk of minority into a ghetto. It is a cry from a cerebral leader of common sense and pragmatism to see the ways where the Indians can meet and exchange ideas and make an inroad to the world with its inherent pride and spirit.
Today this book and its like are saving our grace by its counter narrative where extremism has no place.
June 17, 2024
This is an uncomfortable and disheartening read!
This book not only speaks about Godhra, the riot and massacre that followed primarily in the state of Gujarat in 2002 but also gives you an account of the reactions that followed, the sentiment of the country. It also covers topics about the history of India through its rulers, misconceptions about Islam etc.
My key takeaway from this book is that while we read, see and live through episodes of communal rage, the foundation on which this country is made is secular. Centuries of history tell more tales of harmony, respect and mutual coexistence than discord within various religious groups and communities.
In my opinion, as humans we often see things filtered through not only our experiences but the shared experiences of our ancestors and communities. And while it would be unfair to not speak and document the injustices or atrocities that may have occurred it is also paramount to be objective and not let those experiences fog our lenses with judgement, prejudice, hate and revenge. We need to question ourselves that are we avenging brutality with violence and if that is the case is there an end to this?
This book not only speaks about Godhra, the riot and massacre that followed primarily in the state of Gujarat in 2002 but also gives you an account of the reactions that followed, the sentiment of the country. It also covers topics about the history of India through its rulers, misconceptions about Islam etc.
My key takeaway from this book is that while we read, see and live through episodes of communal rage, the foundation on which this country is made is secular. Centuries of history tell more tales of harmony, respect and mutual coexistence than discord within various religious groups and communities.
In my opinion, as humans we often see things filtered through not only our experiences but the shared experiences of our ancestors and communities. And while it would be unfair to not speak and document the injustices or atrocities that may have occurred it is also paramount to be objective and not let those experiences fog our lenses with judgement, prejudice, hate and revenge. We need to question ourselves that are we avenging brutality with violence and if that is the case is there an end to this?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews