Book
Keeping the Peace:
Spatial Differences in Hindu-Muslim Violence in Gujarat in 2002.
(Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Peace can prevail amid the worst politically-orchestrated massacres and interethnic hostility. This core argument lies at the heart of my first book. Based on a five-year investigation of Hindu-Muslim violence in Gujarat (western India) in 2002, I explain the decisions of rioters, victims, and peacekeepers during violence and the nature of their relations, as neighbours, in its aftermath. Peaceful neighbourhoods contiguous with violent neighbourhoods are compared.
The novelty of the book lies in bridging the macro level of political motivation with the micro conditions for violence to actually happen.
Peace can prevail amid the worst politically-orchestrated massacres and interethnic hostility. This core argument lies at the heart of my first book. Based on a five-year investigation of Hindu-Muslim violence in Gujarat (western India) in 2002, I explain the decisions of rioters, victims, and peacekeepers during violence and the nature of their relations, as neighbours, in its aftermath. Peaceful neighbourhoods contiguous with violent neighbourhoods are compared.
The novelty of the book lies in bridging the macro level of political motivation with the micro conditions for violence to actually happen.
See Media Engagement for more coverage about my research
REVIEWS AND ENDORSEMENTS
“This is the best synthesis in the literature on mass violence anywhere… gives a ray of hope on what prevents massacres even where politics is at its worst” –Randall Collins, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania.
“This book is an important contribution to the understanding of violent conflict and prospects for abating it”— Donald L. Horowitz, James B. Duke Professor of Law and Political Science at Duke Law School and Duke University.
“Where does the logic of violence end? Everyone interested in formulating an answer would benefit from reading Dhattiwala’s analysis first”—Robert Braun, University of California-Berkeley, in the American Journal of Sociology.
“The analysis based on) an extraordinary dataset on killings and peace… adds significantly to a powerful and growing literature on ethnic violence in India”— Stuart Corbridge, Durham University, in Studies in Indian Politics.
“The book) provides the most nuanced analysis available of communal relations and violence in Gujarat”— Faisal Devji, Professor of Indian History, University of Oxford.
“Hindus and Muslims are often seen in Gujarat as ‘blood enemies’…even then, Dhattiwala demonstrates, some mixed neighbourhoods remained integrated and peaceful. For those who seek communal peace… she presents methods to be discovered and explored” – Howard Spodek, Professor of History and Geography, Temple University.
INTERVIEWS, BOOK REVIEWS AND EXCERPTS IN THE MEDIA
Indian Express
March 25, 2019
Interview: “Need to recognise that violence is not spontaneous but orchestrated”, says sociologist Dr Raheel Dhattiwala
Malayala Manorama
May 28, 2019
Book review: Chemistry and geography of Gujarat riots decoded
The Print
April 6, 2019
Book excerpt: Why many Muslims in Gujarat publicly supported Modi’s BJP after 2002
Scroll
April 12, 2019
Book excerpt: Why Muslims in Gujarat supported the BJP (even if it is not clear whether they voted for the party)
June 19, 2017
Interview: Gujarat Assembly polls 2017: How an apathetic Congress is driving Muslim voters towards the BJP
Soch
July 12, 2020
Interview: Muslim support to the BJP explained
7 May, 2020
Book excerpt: Ahmedabad has seen ~100 communal riots since 1947. Lucknow only 1. Why?
The Wire
15 December, 2019
Analysis based on book: Gujarat Riots Spontaneous Says Nanavati Panel, But Electoral Data Shows Method in Madness
May 29, 2019
Interview: Do communal conflicts bring political incentives?