Contents: Preface. Introduction. 1. Looking back: 20-century Indian society. 2. Pluralism, democracy and conflict in India. 3. Challenges of citizenship: education in the Indian Republic. 4. Race, religion and caste: situating the Dalits. 5. The coming crisis of India: Portent from Gujarat. 6. Indianisation of the Church and its implications. 7. Reorganisation of Indian states: the incomplete agenda. 8. Sources of internal threats to India's security. 9. Restructuring Indian federalism: autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir. 10. State and social movements in Northeast India. 11. Unfinished tasks: challenges ahead. 12. Towards the future: Indian society, nation-state and civilisation. Appendix. References. Indian society is often described as one with ‘unity in diversity’ and as a composite culture. Since independence, India has also been termed ‘democratic’ and ‘secular’. However, the discernible cracks that have appeared in recent years in these conceptualisations have led to contentious debates about the very nature of Indian society. Focusing on different facets of this exacerbating crisis, this book analyses the various issues confronting India’s society and polity today which can assume crisis proportions if not tackled judiciously and expeditiously.