There are several important themes that define India???s contemporary politics. The essays in this book focus on some of the critical developments and the ways in which long-standing structures of society and the working of democracy have reconfigured Indian political society. Many chapters examine important aspects of democratic politics after Jawaharlal Nehru. Many look at the debates over secularism, representation, redistribution, social justice and caste, class and gender and the changing nature of the State in the wake of globalization and liberalization. Besides, they explore the politics and policy of group differentiated rights, regional politics, caste assertion, minority rights and women???s rights and how these endeavours have impacted the pursuit of equality in India.