<<The>> truths and lies of nationalism as narrated by Charvak

Written in the voice of the mythical atheist, naysayer, and general all-purpose heretic of Indian philosophy, The Truths and Lies of Nationalism as Narrated by Charvak presents a completely new way of telling the history of Indian nationalism. Severely criticizing the doctrines of both Hindu nationalism and pluralist secularism, it examines the ongoing debates over Indian civilization and recounts in detail how the present borders of India were defined by British colonial policy, the partition of 1947, and the integration of the princely states and the French and Portuguese territories. The emphasis is not so much on the state machinery inherited from colonial times but on the moral foundation of a new republic based on the solidarity of different but equal formations of the people. After a trenchant critique of the present-day conflicts over religion, caste, class, gender, language, and region in India, the book proposes a new politics of revitalized federalism. Intended for a general readership, and eschewing academic jargon, this book will be of interest to anyone concerned about the future of India.ISBN : 9781438487779 Contents Editor’s Preface Introduction: Charvak Speaks 1 All Nations are Modern An Ancient People? An Ancient Hindu Nation? The Evidence from Genetic Science 2 All National Borders are Accidental The Chinese Border in the East The Chinese Border in the West Nepal, Bhutan, and Sikkim The Hill States of the Northeast The Punjab Border The Bengal Border Plebiscites Enclaves Islands in the Sea The Andaman and Nicobar Islands French and Portuguese Territories 3 Princes Have No Place in a Republic The Princely States on the Eve of Independence Unions of States States in the New Constitutional Order A Little State Called Junagadh Hyderabad The Kashmir Tangle 4 India is Not a Hindu Rashtra Hindutva and Hindu Rashtra The Hindu in History Defining the Hindu Defining Hindutva Hindutva and Citizenship The Hindu Rashtra 5 India is Not a Pluralist Secular Democracy Pluralist Religious Society The Philosophy of Pluralism Pluralism in History The Rise of Communalism The Rise of Secularism The Troubles of Secularism The Decline of Secularism The Fall of Secularism 6 India is a People’s Federation A Federation in Crisis Language and Nationalism In Praise of the Motherland Celebrating Fatherland Language as Mother The Ignored Northeast A Just Federation of Peoples 7 People’s Alliances Strengthen the Nation Educating the Nation The Citizen as an Obedient Subject The Persistence of Caste What About Language Disputes? The Oppression of Women 8 The Nation Belongs to the Entire People The Changing Middle Class Changes in Political Power All-India Power Groups Regional Power Groups Relations Between the All-India and Regional Levels Centralisation of Power The Problem with Centralised Power More Power to the States A National People’s Federation What You Can Do Index Rejects Hindu nationalism and pluralist secularism in favor of a revitalized politics of Indian federalism