The
Bharatiya Janata Party rode to power as the proponent of Hindutva
but shelved its agenda under coalition compulsions. Now, the
Ayodhya issue has driven a deep wedge between the party and
its NDA allies. The BJP, by trying to distance itself from its
core constituency, may have been able to stave off the current
crisis, but its longevity is in doubt.
Though the Supreme Court's clear negation of the
VHP's Ayodhya agenda for March 15 bailed out the Government,
the aftermath found both political opponents and religio-social
allies criticising Vajpayee.
As a week-long celebration of regional
music brought out the many rich traditions of the North-east,
it also drew attention to a deep sense social and cultural alienation.
India Today's S. Kalidas reports. Exchanging
Notes
COVER STORY: MANDIR-MASJID DISPUTE
COVER STORY: ESSAY
Can India Resolve Ayodhya?
Faith Accompli
Till decisive political
will is in place, the Babri Masjid standoff will continue.
The ongoing passion play of religion cannot be explained
by oriental stereotypes alone.
STATES: GUJARAT
VIEWPOINT: ASHUTOSH
VARSHNEY
Frozen Pain
Lumpen Logistics
There are no signs of healing for the ravaged Muslim community
despite the state Government’s assurances on rehabilitation.
Communal riots are highly localised and the most susceptible
cities need watching. A viewpoint on the issue.
Economy
Under Siege Battered business sentiments suffer another blow of uncertainty
and chaos.
OTHER STORIES
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The Conclave concludes
on a high note. Al Gore, Stanley Fischer and other world leaders
listen and our heard. Catch up on the highlights. Take
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THE NEWSPAPERTODAY
BUSINESS: DELISTING
MNCS Capital Flight
NEIGHBOURS: PAKISTAN
Musharraf’s Crucial Test
A growing number of multinational companies are
moving out of the Indian stock markets. Since 1999, 31 companies
have applied for delisting.
The Pakistani President’s
next agenda is to manipulate the levers to instal a civilian
government that would execute his diktats while being acceptable
to all parties.
DEVELOPMENT: EMPOWERMENT
The Road to Hope
SOCIETY AND TRENDS:
NEO-SUFISM
Mystic Goes pop
Women in some of Orissa’s most impoverished villages are
forging their identity and their future with the state’s micro
credit schemes.
Packaged Sufism sells. The recent Jahan-e-Khusrau was yet
another instance of this fad. Many have hitched a free ride
on the fast-selling Sufi bandwagon.
THE ARTS: ANTIQUES
Coming of Age
OFFTRACK: KOLKATA,
WEST BENGAL Exit Tan Dynasty
Kolkata’s best kept secret is finally being revealed.
For the insular Hakkas, the court order to shift their tanneries
is bad news.
COLUMNS
FIFTH COLUMN: TAVLEEN SINGH
Fundamental Failure
KAUTILYA: JAIRAM RAMESH New Haven To Haven
The Goverment must realise that Hindu and Muslim fanaticism
feed on each other.
The only economist to have a tax named after him passes away.
SPORTSWATCH
Second Swerve
Paes and Bhupathi part ways again. There may not be a comeback
this time.
NEWSNOTES
BODYLINE By Ravi Shankar
VOICES
"Most of the time India is the world's largest secular democracy;
and if, once in a while, it lets off a little crazy religious
steam, we must not let that distort the picture."
Salman Rushdie, author, on the violence
in Gujarat.
Do you think there is too much religion in Indian politics?
CURRENT ISSUE MARCH 25, 2002
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