Riot Politics: Hindu-Muslim Violence and the Indian State

Product Information

• Title: Riot Politics: Hindu-Muslim Violence and the Indian State
• Author: Ward Berenschot
• Language: English
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 252
• ISBN-13: 9780199068173 / 978-0199068173
• ISBN-10: 0199068178
• Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
• Publication Date: January 1, 2014

Overview

In Riot Politics, Ward Berenschot presents a groundbreaking study of Hindu-Muslim violence in India, examining how political actors exploit ethnic divisions to maintain power. The book provides a detailed investigation into the role of the Indian state, local politicians, and political parties in organizing and sustaining communal riots.

Drawing on extensive field research in Gujarat, Berenschot argues that riots are not spontaneous outbursts of violence but are politically orchestrated events. He demonstrates how politicians use ethnic tensions to mobilize votes, control local governance, and maintain dominance in specific regions.

This book provides crucial insights into the intersection of politics, identity, and violence, making it essential reading for scholars, policymakers, and anyone interested in Indian politics, communalism, and conflict studies.

Key Features

✅ In-Depth Field Research: Based on extensive interviews and case studies from Gujarat
✅ Political Analysis: Examines how politicians manipulate riots for electoral gains
✅ Impact of State Actors: Investigates the role of police, judiciary, and bureaucrats in ethnic violence
✅ Broader Implications: Connects communal violence to democratic processes and governance

Interesting Facts

The Politics Behind Riots

• Communal riots are often not spontaneous but strategically organized for political benefits.
• Patron-client networks play a crucial role in sustaining ethnic violence, linking local politicians to rioters.

State Involvement & Selective Law Enforcement

• Police response to riots is often biased, influenced by political pressures.
• Judicial systems and bureaucracy can either prevent or exacerbate violence depending on their alignment with ruling parties.

Comparative Insights

• The book compares India’s communal violence to other ethnically divided democracies, highlighting global patterns of political violence.

Publisher

Published by Oxford University Press (OUP), Riot Politics is a crucial academic contribution to the study of ethnic violence, governance, and the Indian democratic system.

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