Synopsis In recent years there have been references of the need to separate religion from politics. The issue has received attention by intellectuals and activists. It is important to be clear about what is intended when sensible and patriotic people talk of keeping religion and politics separate. The objective should be to prevent communalism from entering politics. The following collection of articles, papers and comments are intended to provide students as well as academics, sociologists as well as analysts, incisive insights into the form and content of the conflict that stems from the meeting of tradition, modernity and the caste system.