COMMUNALISM
1. Context
Recently, the violence that erupted in Nuh in Haryana’s Mewat region during a procession led by the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad spread to neighbouring Gurgaon where some shops and a mosque were torched and the mosque naib imam killed, taking the death toll to five.
2. About communalism
- Communalism is a form of groupism that is based on religious or ethnic identity.
- It is characterized by intolerance and division between different groups.
- An example of communalism would be a situation where members of one religious community exhibit hostility or prejudice towards another religious community, based on their religious beliefs or identities.
- This can manifest in various forms, such as religiously motivated violence, discrimination, or the promotion of religious exclusivity. Some examples of communalism include:
- The partition of India in 1947, which was a result of communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
- The Gujarat riots in 2002, were a result of communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
- The Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013, were a result of communal violence between Hindus and Muslims.
3. Main Features of Communalism
Divisiveness: Communalism promotes divisions and tensions between different religious communities.
Identity-based Politics: It exploits religious identities to gain political mileage or create vote banks.
Prejudice and Stereotyping: Communalism fosters negative stereotypes and prejudices about other religious groups.
Propagation of Hatred: It encourages the spread of hate speech and animosity towards other communities.
Violence: In extreme cases, communalism can lead to communal violence and clashes.
4. Religious Communalism
- Communal violence refers to violent conflicts and clashes between different religious communities.
- It involves acts of aggression, rioting, destruction of property, and sometimes loss of life, driven by religious differences and animosity.
- The most common form of communalism is religious communalism.
- This is the belief that one's own religion is superior to other religions.
- It can lead to intolerance and violence against people of other religious faiths.
- Communalism and communal violence are interconnected in several ways.
- Communalism can create an atmosphere of intolerance and division that makes communal violence more likely.
- Communal violence, in turn, can reinforce communalist beliefs and further divide society.
- The rise of communalism in India can be traced back to the colonial period.
- The British Raj divided Indian society into religious communities for administration.
- This created a sense of separateness between different religious groups, which laid the foundation for communalism.
5. Main Causes of Communalism in India
Historical Grievances: Past conflicts and grievances between religious communities have left lingering tensions.
Political Exploitation: Some politicians use religious identity for their electoral gains, leading to communal polarization.
Socio-economic Factors: Unequal distribution of resources and opportunities can create competition and tension between communities.
Religious Fundamentalism: The rise of religious fundamentalism can fuel communalism.
Lack of Intercommunity Understanding: Lack of communication and understanding between communities can breed suspicion and hostility.
6. Significant Instances of Communalism in India
Communalism has been a major problem in India for centuries. Here are some of the most significant instances of communalism in India:
The Partition of India in 1947: The partition of India was a result of communal violence between Hindus and Muslims. Millions of people were killed or displaced in the violence, and the partition led to the creation of two separate countries, India and Pakistan.
The Babri Masjid demolition in 1992: The Babri Masjid demolition was the destruction of a 16th-century mosque in Ayodhya, by a Hindu mob in 1992. The demolition sparked widespread communal violence across India, leaving hundreds of people dead.
The Gujarat Riots in 2002: The Gujarat riots were a series of communal riots that took place in Gujarat, in 2002. The riots were triggered by the burning of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims in Godhra, Gujarat. Over 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the riots.
The Muzaffarnagar Riots in 2013: The Muzaffarnagar riots were a series of communal riots that took place in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, in 2013. The riots were triggered by a minor dispute between two groups of people, but they quickly escalated into violence. Over 60 people, mostly Muslims, were killed in the riots.
The Dadri lynching in 2015: The Dadri lynching was the killing of a Muslim man, Mohammad Akhlaq, by a mob in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, in 2015. Akhlaq was accused of storing beef in his house, which is considered taboo in Hindu culture. The lynching sparked outrage across India and highlighted the growing problem of communal violence in the country.
7. Difference between Communalism and Secularism
Communalism: It is the promotion of religious identities and divisions, leading to hostility and prejudice between religious communities.
Secularism: It advocates the separation of religion and state, treating all religions equally and ensuring religious freedom for all citizens without discrimination. It promotes harmony and tolerance among different religious groups.
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For Prelims: Communalism, Secularism, Riots, the partition of India, the Gujarat riots, the Babri Masjid demolition, Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, The Muzaffarnagar riots, religious communalism,
For Mains:
1. What are the main causes of communalism in India? Discuss the socio-economic factors and religious fundamentalism contributing to communal tensions in the Country. (250 Words)
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Previous Year Questions
1. The Deccan Riots Commission was concerned with: (UPSC CAPF 2014)
A. indebtedness of the peasant
B. lack of law and order in the Deccan
C. problems with the Ryotwari system
D. communal riots in the Deccan
Answer: A
2. Librehan Commission was appointed by the Union Government to enquire into: (Kerala SET 2017)
A. Indira Gandhi Assassination case
B. Babri Masjid Demolition case
C. Educational Reforms
D. Centre-State Relations
Answer: B
3. Who is the present President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad? (HSSC Police SI 2021)
A. Vishnu Sadashiv B. Kokje Alok Kumar C. Pravin Togadia D. None of them
Answer: D
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Source: The Indian Express
