This book addresses the burning issue in the country. Why did the torching of 58 kar sevaks in the Sabarmati Express take place? What was it that sparked it off? People all over the world are shocked and horrified that a country renowned for its broad humanism has fallen so low. Why is it that Hindus and Muslims who have lived together for more than a thousand years in peace, have now begun to hate one another?

Dr. Rafiq Zakaria has had a distinguished career in fields as varied as law, education, jounalism, politics and islamic studies. He is Chancellor's gold medallist of the Bombay University and Ph.D with distinction fron London University. He was called to the Bar from Lincolns Inn. From his student days he was active in the freedom struggle, both at home and abroad. After a succesful legal career her served as a cabinet minister in Maharashtra for fifteen years. In 1978 he became deputy leader of the ruling Congress Party in Parliament.

He has held important assignments including that of Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Muslim world in 1984. He has thrice represented India at the U.N. in 1965, 1990 and 1996. Dr. Zakaria is a scholar of international repute. He has authored more then fifteen books, including 'A Study of Nehru'. His rejoinder to Salman Rushdie, entitled 'Muhammad and the Quran', published by Penguin International has become a world classic. His other books deal with Indian politics and the history and the jurisprudence of Islam. He has also authored two novels - one historical and the other political. Two of his books 'Price of Partition and Gandhi' and the 'Break-up of India', received rave reviews. His monumental work 'Discovery of God' has brought him the highest laurels from all over the world. An eminent educationist, he has founded a dozen educational institutions of higher learning in Mumbai and Aurangabad. He has chaired several important Government of India committees and has been a member of the National Integration Council. He has been passionately involved in the promotion of Hindu-Muslim unity and has delivered prestigious memorial lectures at various universities.