The Assassin's Song by G. V. Vassanji

This is a novel mainly to explain the happenings in the Gujaratafter the Godhra incident. But the story is something like an epic narration. A Sufi visits and welcomed in the then Hindu raj ofGujarat. The only knowledge about the Sufi is that he came as a refugee from the northwest and not a Hindu. Though there were controversies, the Sufi was able to convince the king of his sincerity, compassion and tolerance. When the Sufi was no more his remains were interned in a place which became a place of worship and solace to many devotees of all faiths. The place was under the keep of a family the head of which was again a revered one. There were communal riots even when the Sufi was alive. The present protagonist was not a willing heir to the family shrine. He defies his family to go abroad and study abroad in US. At some time, the communal passion comes on top and vitiates the peaceful atmosphere in the mixed community.

The poison of communal feelings created an identity crisis among the followers of the Sufi. Who are they Hindus or Muslims? Politics come in front and influence the choice.