Religion and politics in South Asia Introduction: Three arguments about religion politics nexus Ali Riaz The strategic use of Islam in Afghan politics Abdulkader Sinno The politics of islamization in Bangladesh Ali Riaz Religion politics and violence in India Amalendu Misra Nepal : from Hindu monarchy to secular democracy Subho Basu Pakistan : a state for the Muslims or an Islamic state Farhat Haq Politicization of Buddhism and electoral politics in Sri Lanka A.R.M. Imtiyaz