Civil Society in Malerkotla, Punjab: Fostering Resilience through Religion by Karenjot Bhangoo Randhawa explores the direct role that religion plays in conflict and peace that has often been difficult to isolate. This study extends previous work on peace and conflict resolution by looking at a town which has witnessed many outbreaks of violence in the past but still holds peace as the norm.
The former princely state of Malerkotla, Punjab is a place where riots did not occur during Partition. In this unique Muslim majority town, there are four distinct religious groups that live in close proximity to each other. Yet, the overall pattern of peaceful plurality in the town has resulted in the transcendence of violence even when the threat looms close by. The unique case of Malerkotla, Punjab provides an opportunity to look more closely and critically at Sikhs and their relationship with Muslims in India.
As a case study, this work captures the overall pattern of Sikh-Muslim interaction in a town that can transcend conflict and make peace the norm. Randhawa uncovers how religious associations, expressions and activities have helped to build social capital and stabilize peace. This book also emphasizes interreligious understanding, cross-cultural awareness, and conflict transformation, and discusses how interfaith communities can work together to bridge understanding in order to prevent violence.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Identifying Peacebuilding at Work: Notes on Methodology
The need for Sikh-Muslim Analysis
Methodological Challenges
Outline of the Book
Chapter 1: Evolution of Theories: Conflict and Peace
Religion and Conflict
Peacebuilding at the State and Community Level
Chapter 2: Civil Society
The Role of Religion
Group Identity and Space Sharing
Narratives in Religious Communities
Rationale for Case Study in an Ethnographic Tradition
Researchable Questions
Content Analysis
Ethnographic Methods
In-depth Interviewing
Chapter 3: Sikhism and Islam: A Historical Look at Religious Constructions of Peace and Conflict
Tensions in History: Sikhs and Muslims
Islam and nonviolence in the Punjab
Partition
Partition's effect on Malerkotla
Chapter 4: Perspectives from Malerkotla
Religion and History
Religious Historical Narratives
Understanding Others Religious Teachings and Practices
Religious Exchange
Ideas of Peace and Conflict Informed by Sacred Text/Teachings/Similarity in Content
Conflict Incidences
Engagement in Peacebuilding Activities
Analysis of Findings
Chapter 5: Civil Society Linkages
Negotiating the Collective Memory: Narratives of Past and Present
Inclusive Political Processes
Economic Life and Interreligious Relations
Civil Society
Education
Social Relations
Conflict Resolution Systems
Media
Conclusion
