The basis of Indian polity, even if in the process we have to question some of our very cherished beliefs. India today is going through a period of tremendous turbulence. The old consensus has broken down, the momentum of the freedom movement has petered out and a new equilibrium has not yet been reached. There is a complex set of political, economic, social and psychological factors with some very disturbing manifestations.

The growth of violence in our society is most unfortunate, whether it is individual crime or collective acts of violence, terrorism or violence of that nature. Religious and caste factors are assuming menacing proportion. Instead of becoming great healing, soothing and uplifting thoughts which the great religions of the world should be, they are still a divisive factor. Assassinations have played havoc with our leadership; they have changed the face of Indian politics.

Indian democracy is a tremendous experiment -the growth of political awareness in India has been fantastic. It is also quite significant that Indian women have played a remarkable role in the freedom movement. All this is certainly true.