Roll of Honour

ABOUT THIS BOOK

1984. Operation Blue Star has just ended and the Indian Army is arresting and
killing innocent Sikhs. Appu is back at military school in Jassabad, Punjab, for his
final year. He looks forward to three things: being class in-charge, passing out, and
securing a place in the National Defence Academy.
Then ex-student Balraj, now a Khalistani militant on the run, takes refuge on campus
and the violence outside comes to school. Some of the seniors decide to help Balraj,
the decision splits the school along sectarian lines, and students are forced to take
sides. There is rampant bullying—sodomy being the preferred tool of domination—
and long-time friends find themselves on opposing sides. As the situation spirals out
of control, Appu, who wants nothing more than to live his dreams, is forced to make
the impossible choice between community and nation.
Gritty, honest and tautly paced, Roll of Honour is a frank examination of the
consequences of misplaced honour, allegiance and integrity.
Praise for the author’s previous novel, Sepia Leaves, also published by Rupa:
‘Sepia Leaves is indeed remarkable. Rarely does one come across something as good
as this.’ —The Hindu
‘[Sepia Leaves] is unique in Indian writing.’ —The Week
KEY SELLING POINTS
• Reveals the dark side of bullying in terrifying detail.
• Set in the days of the Khalistan movement, this densely plot novel explores
the impact of religious separatism on young minds.
• A powerful meditation on the nature of power and repression, integrity
and honour.
• Gritty, honest and tautly paced.
• Written in an unassuming and clear style that reads very smoothly.