Was the rationale behind choosing secularism\n as a state policy correct?\n \n Was a western concept suited to a deeply religious Indian society\n \n Was secularism destined to fail?\n \n In a bold attempt to help break the impasse in Hindu–Muslim relation, this\n book brings a much-needed perspective to a polarized debate on conflicting\n notions of secularism. It calls for de-hyphenating the so-called ‘Muslim\n Question’ (place of Muslims in a Hindu-majority India) from the wider debate\n on secularism and advocates a new Hindu–Muslim deal based around the\n centuries-old common cultural heritage skirting religious differences.\n \n In a refreshing break from liberal orthodoxy, the book explores the idea of\n a secular Hindu state which will recognize Hinduism as the official religion\n but guarantee equal rights to all its citizens, irrespective of their faith:\n a version of Britain’s secular Christian state.\n \n An incisive analysis of why secularism failed and the rise of majoritarian\n Hindu nationalism, it underlines the urgent need for a new road map to\n restore communal harmony before it’s too late for course correction.