Ten years of Communalism Combat spans a difficult and painful period of Indian history. During this period, the journal has served us well with its insight, depth and analysis on the issue of communalism, caste and gender.

As a parliamentarian, I have found the pages of CC invaluable in enhancing the quality of debates within the upper house of the Indian legislature, the Rajya Sabha.

The related activities of the group, led by its editors, have also left their indelible impact on political and public discourse in the country.

I can recall several occasions, specifically, the attacks on the Christian minority all over the country, the background of preventive detention laws in the context of TADA and now the re-imposition of POTA, the de-construction and analysis of the narrow vision that dictates India’s current education policy backed by this group’s pioneering work on Indian social studies and history textbooks, the fundamental issue of caste and how this was and is marginalised in progressive Indian discourse especially related to the UN Conference Against Racism at Durban, and finally, the yeoman service rendered by CC before, during and after the Gujarat carnage, when I have been served well by the quality of journalism that embodies this publication.

The work by CC, contained in the ‘Gujarat – Genocide 2002’ issue, cannot be over-stated. That issue of the journal became the most comprehensive source of reference for most members of parliament, particularly myself, in both the Houses. When I debated on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, it was the only time in my term of six years that my voice was attempted to be drowned in the cacophony that followed – proof enough that the facts were too explosive for the government to dismiss. To be able to put together such quality output, faced always as CC has been by a crunch on resources, is a commendable comment on the persistence and commitment of the team.

Last but far from least, CC, Sabrang and Khoj have stood for the voice of sanity and reason, always taking on communalism of the majority and the minority with equal passion and commitment. Its path-breaking issue on Gujarat in 1998, ‘Welcome to Hindu Rashtra’ was followed by its exposure of what the destructive politics of the Taliban meant for the people of Afghanistan, especially Afghani women. Similarly, I have been privileged to be part of CC’s successful effort to co-host Bangladeshi writer, Taslima Nasreen in Mumbai in the year 2000.

I wish this journal and its committed team courage and strength and join fervently with them in their hope for a return to a peaceful and humane India and South Asia.