SECTARIANISM, POLITICS AND DEVELOPMENT

This compilation of eleven essays by academics, social workers and human rights activists examines the impact of sectarianism on politics and development with a focus on Gujarat. The politics in the name of religion has been a major phenomenon in India in general and in Gujarat in particular. This sectarian politics has had great impact on various aspects of civic and political life in the state. The essays present a backdrop of political developments in the state during the last five decades. The dynamics of social classes has seen a major transition during these decades and the emerging upper caste/affluent sections have dominated the lower caste/deprived sections of society through various social-economic mechanisms. These new dominant castes have assumed the role of subjugating the weaker sections of society by resorting to politics in the name of religion. This politics has affected the lives of Dalits, Adivasis and other marginalized sections by further marginalizing them in the process of development. It has also affected the ecology of the state very adversely. The impact of violence on the lives of women, particularly minority women, is also examined. The human rights of the large sections have been pushed back and the process of marginalization and resultant insecurity of minorities has intensified. In this scenario, the process of rehabilitation and reconciliation has also been examined. The essays are in-depth studies and also cover the pattern of land acquisition and agrarian struggles in the state.