Indian Controversies: Essays on Religion in Politics [Paperback]

Arun Shourie (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1993

With reference to the Indian scene.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Arun Shourie is one of India's best known commentators on current and political affairs. He has been an economist with the World Bank, a consultant to the Planning Commission and Editor of The Indian Express. His writings have gained him a vast following across the country, as well as several national and international awards. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 540 pages
• Publisher: South Asia Books (August 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8190019929
• ISBN-13: 978-8190019927
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,206,129 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellently researched and Persuasively Written, July 13, 2000

By 

Abhinav Agarwal (Bangalore, India) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Indian Controversies: Essays on Religion in Politics (Paperback)

This is considered a celebrated work of Arun Shourie, and is a collection of essays and articles he wrote over the years, on topics ranging from the Ayodhya dispute, Salman Rushdie, Shah Bano controversy, etc.. The writings on the Babri Masjid proved to be prophetic, and articulate very cogently the reasons and frustrations that led to the mosque's destruction. Personally, I found the best chapter to be the one on Muslim personal law, titled 'Your Wives Are your Fields...'. This chapter outlines the present status of the Muslim Personal Law in India, the outlook the courts have taken and the absence of any leeway that courts are supposed to have in interpreting it, and the reasons behind such a mindset. Arun Shourie then proceeds to explain in detail why such positions are not justified or sustainable. This particular chapter is a must read. A must read book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars insightful, March 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Indian Controversies: Essays on Religion in Politics (Paperback)

The author's views on the babri mosque dispute proved to be prophetic. "will the mosque stand?" he asks, and replies that not unless Indian politics, discourse and judicial dilly-dallying change. I recommend this book to all those intrested in understanding the politics of identity obtaining in contemporary India. Though most of the essays in the book seem to have been written almost a decade ago, they are as relevant today as they were first written.

4 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good, August 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Indian Controversies: Essays on Religion in Politics (Paperback)

An important book by India's greatest living journalist.