Hindu–Muslim Brotherhood

Abstract

The rise of Hindu nationalism in India in recent decades has stimulated a body of academic interest emphasising the irreconcilable differences between Hindus and Muslims on the subcontinent. This article shifts the focus on Hindu–Muslim relations away from conflict to that of everyday peace, where peace is perceived as an active process towards the non-violent resolution of communal conflict. The terrorist attacks in Varanasi, north India, in March 2006 created an atmosphere of anticipated communal tension. Despite expectations that communal violence would result, peace was maintained in the city. This article draws on ethnographic research conducted in Varanasi during April and May 2006 to explore the role of the ‘state’, ‘civil society’ and ‘agency’, and examines the mechanisms that enabled communal peace to prevail in light of existing theoretical literature on communal violence. These findings confirm the centrality of ‘civil society’ in minimising the potential for communal violence, but most importantly emphasise the vital role of human agency in understanding the processes by which peace is maintained.