Contesting Identities in Pakistan : Region, Religion and the Nation-State/Surendra Nath Kaushik. Reprint. Jaipur, Pointer, 2006, x,189 p., ISBN 81-7132-444-4.

    Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Nation, region and religion in Pakistan: an overview. 3. Religion as national identity: fragile foundations. 4. Four-nation theory: refutation of the two-nations doctrine. 5. The regional challenge: Punjab vs. Other provinces. 6. The sub-national upsurge: "Jiye Sindh" and "Muhajir Qaumi" movements. 7. Fundamentalist politics of Jamaat-i-Islami. 8. Discriminatory politics against Ahmadiyas. 9. The Shia-Sunni sectarian divide. 10. Summation. Bibliography. Index.

    "As the two-nation theory culminated in the creation of Pakistan, the same also became the ideology of the State for the purpose of legitimising political authority. However, religion-based national identity could not cement the diverse socio-cultural entities of Pakistan. The myth of cohesive Islamic nationhood was exploded with the creation of Bangladesh in 1971. Although, Pakistan has managed to survive as a nation-state, aspiring multiple identities continue to pose threats to its mono-religious national identity. In the face of contesting multiple identities, the domination of Punjab and Punjabis still remains a defining core, along with the Islamic identity.

    The present study explores, analyses and estimates this on-going process of interface of rival ethno-sectarian, linguistic and regional identities and Pakistan as a Nation-State." (jacket)

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