Holy Warriors: A Journey Into The Heart Of Indian Fundamentalism

Description

Home to all the major religions, India is also, inevitably, host to virtually every type of religious fanatic. No other nation has witnessed as much proselytization or heard as many war cries in the name of God as India. For centuries, Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and Muslims have waged bloody wars, sought violent conversion and declared jihad against their enemies, as their religions have been hijacked by the forces of fundamentalism. In Holy Warriors, Edna Fernandes travels to the country's recent and past theatres of religious extremism - from Kashmir to Gujarat, Punjab to Goa - to meet the generals and foot soldiers of communal wars who assert their faith in rhetoric and rage. Theirs are stories of bigotry and bloodshed, insecurity and despair, but Fernandes listens with understanding, tolerance and a deft sense of humour, and paints a uniquely vivid and clear-sighted picture of a country divided by dogma.

EDNA FERNANDES is a British-Indian journalist who has worked for many of the leading international news organizations from AP-Dow Jones and Reuters in London to the FT in New Delhi. Her articles have been reproduced in the Wall Street Journal and International Herald Tribune. She is now at work on her second book for Portobello, The Last Jews of Kerala.

'The reportage is even-handed and responsible and even delightfully witty. Fernandes's asides are precise and wicked. Above all, she offers a valuable reminder of the dark side of the economic miracle that is modern India.' Naseem Khan, Guardian 'As fair and objective an assessment of the perils that lie ahead for India as any that I have ever read. It is a must-read for all of those who wish the country to prosper as a secular democracy. A powerful book.' Khushwant Singh 'This impressively researched and lucidly written book travels quickly beyond many banalities about India today. Anyone interested in exploring the complex appeal of religious extremism in half-modern societies should read it.' PANKAJ MISHRA