Conflict, Terror & Violence in Indian Society & Polity

Contemporary society in India believes in the positive, virtuous concepts of satya, dharma, shanti, prema, and ahims, and yet the country is facing tremendous critical challenges from terror and violence. Tensions and frustrations arise with increasing ferocity, in forms that negate a civilized and peaceful existence. There are growing divisive forces, narrow parochialism, separatist tendencies, along with linguistic, regional, and communal forces that are threatening the unity of the nation. This book analyzes the undercurrents and external forces responsible for this critical situation. Since independence, India has witnessed several violent upheavals and armed uprisings, particularly in the North-Eastern region, and later, in Punjab. The growth of cross border violence/terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as the rise and growth of the Naxalities movement in several states of India, are pointers to agrarian unrest that has turned violent, accepting the leadership of those wedded to the cult of violence. The book focuses on the growing public concern about this issue and the ways to minimize the threat to internal security from violent attacks, as well as a way to achieve a zero-tolerance level towards such strikes. [Subject: India Studies, Sociology, Security Studies, Politics]