Riot politics : Hindu-Muslim violence and the Indian state /

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction : riot networks in Ahmedabad -- Explaining India's Hindu-Muslim violence -- The coming of the chamchas and the politicization of Gujarat's neighbourhoods -- Changing patronage channels and the rise of Hindu-nationalism in Gujarat -- The everyday mediation of a municipal councillor -- Neighbourhood workers and the politics of exchanging favours -- Moneypower and musclepower : on the nexus between politicians, state officials and goondas -- Political mediation and the politics of identity -- The infrastructure for violence : rioting as maintaining relations -- Conclusion : political mediation, communal violence and the state.

"This is a study of communal violence in India that looks at a range of actors, including criminals, politicians, local leaders, police officers and Hindu-nationalist activists. It is an ethnography revealing the links between violence and political mediation."--Publisher's description.