Communal violence is increasingly becoming the bane of the Indian society. Before the colonial era, there was only occasional ethnic strife, but since the British rule, it started to become a regular phenomenon. Looking at history through the prism of the ruler's religion, the communal historiography introduced by the British was the solid base of the emergence of the narratives which formed the ground for the emergence of the communal streams, both Muslim and Hindu. These streams devised their own mechanisms to create a 'social common sense' and mechanisms to instigate violence in the communities based on religion. While this phenomenon has seen an exponential rise during the last three decades, scholars, journalists, and activist researchers have seriously tried to understand the newer mechanisms employed to communalise the majority and the newer ways of initiating violence.

A dogged journalist, Kunal Purohit, in his remarkable and path-breaking book, 'H-Pop,' brings to our notice how popular culture is being shaped by pop songs which are spreading hatred against the heroes of National movements like Gandhi, Nehru in particular, and against the Muslims. He warns us that Hindutva pop stars are adding intense hatred, particularly in the North Indian scenario.

On the back of this book comes another important book, 'Weaponization of Hindu Festivals' by Irfan Engineer and Neha Dabhade (Pharos Media). These activist researchers are part of the Center for Study of Society and Secularism, founded by legendary Asghar Ali Engineer. This centre has constantly been monitoring and studying the nature and intensity of communal violence. In the wake of violence being orchestrated around Hindu festivals, particularly Ram Navami, the author duo has focused on the mechanism as to how festival celebrations have been made intimidatory and aggressive to the Muslim community, mostly leading to violence and polarisation.

For centuries, Hindu festivals and celebrations have assumed a culturally integrating factor. The most significant evidence is that most Hindu festivals were celebrated not only in Mughal Courts but also jointly with Muslims. I recall the Ram Navami procession in my childhood as a time to be joyous and go around the city in a festive mood.

This book is based on the in-depth inquiry into the violence instigated by the religious processions as a part of celebrations of festivals, Ram Navami in particular, in the years 2022-23. It seriously analyses the incidents following the inquiry by the teams in which they participated. The violence covered in the book relates to Howrah and Hoogly (2023), Sambahji Nagar (2023), Vadodara (2023), Bihar Sharif and Sasaram 2023, Khargone (2022), Himmat Nagar and Khambat (2022) and Lohardaga (2022).

This book is relevant as its observations can greatly help prevent violence by ensuring that the pattern that is coming into being should be prevented to maintain peace among communities. Irfan Engineer, in the introduction, points out, "Even a small Group of Hindu nationalists masquerading as 'religious procession' could insist on passing through minority inhabited area and provoke some youth using political and abusive slogans and playing violent songs and music, hoping that a reaction, a stone would be thrown at them. The state would do the rest by arresting a large number of members of a minority and demolishing their homes and properties within days without any judicial procedure."

What needs to be understood for prevention is that most of the time, these processions, which are well-armed, deliberately decide to pass through Muslim-majority areas with loud music and provocative and abusive slogans. It has become a pattern that someone will climb over the mosque and replace the green flag with a saffron flag, and the crowds down below dance and give a big applause. This phenomenon has seen a boost, particularly after 2014, with the BJP government coming to power at the centre. The Khargone incident is very revealing in this regard. A minister of the MP Government said stones were thrown on the procession, which has come from Muslim Households, so these households are to be turned into stones. Now, these hooligans and organisers of such programs feel that 'it is their government' as the popular phrase says, "sainya bhaye kotwal to dar kahe ka (what do you fear when your husband is the chief police officer)?"

In addition to Ram Navami, other local religious yatras (processions), Ganga aarti (prayer for river Ganges), Satsangs (religious meeting), and other religious programs are being started with similar goals. Kanwar Yatras (pilgrimage to collect and offer water from the Ganges to shrines and temples dedicated to Shiva) are prime examples of events where participants frequently become aggressive. To add salt to the injury, the UP and Uttarakhand Governments issued the order that all stalls and eateries on the path of Yatra should write the name of the owner on the boards so that the Kanwariyas (the participants in the pilgrimage) can avoid those owned by Muslims. Fortunately, the Supreme Court has stayed this order.

Such violence is intensifying the prevailing fears amongst the Muslim community. It deepens the polarisation and increases the atmosphere of fear. The festivals, times to enjoy and celebrate, are being used to instil fear and violence. The book is very relevant as it calls upon the state to take measures by anticipating the moves of communal organisations planning such processions. Carrying arms and the use of loud music with songs abusive to minority communities have to be stopped by the administration. This is very much within the law, as we have laws to punish those spreading hatred, and "DJs" (north-Indianised usage for music played on loudspeakers) can be prohibited. The state's role in preventing this ghastly rise of denigrating religious festivals is crucial.

A proper inquiry and suitable punishment of culprits are a must, in addition to compensating the victims. Finally, we must start community programs for unity and amity through cultural programs and the popularisation of films and videos promoting harmony. In the foreword, Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, emphasises that we need to reach the messages of Mahatma Gandhi repeatedly to bring sanity to our society. This is so pertinent and crucial in present times.