Since its independence, India has periodically witnessed large-scale violence sparked by underlying tensions between sections of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities.

The sepoys were local soldiers, the majority Hindu or Muslim, that were recruited into the Company's army.

The overwhelming majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities reside in complete harmony and social concord.

But all agree that it stakes the rights of Kashmir's Muslims against India's majority Hindus.

Pakistan, which is majority Muslim, and India, which is majority Hindu, have fought two wars over Kashmir.

In either case, the people here say it is a war that stakes the rights of Kashmir's Muslems against India's majority Hindus.

Sikhs, a religious minority in India, charge that they are the victims of discrimination by the majority Hindus.

The secessionists argue that Sikhs suffer discrimination under India's majority Hindus.

Indeed, so many scarce jobs are reserved by the Government under the strict minority quota system, that the majority Hindus feel discriminated against.

Obviously, there are radical Hindu groups, who represent neither the majority Hindus nor official policy.