COMMUNALISM (INDIA)

Communalism is an ideology which states that society is divided into religious communities whose interests differ. Communalism makes a person feel antagonism towards another community. Communalism arises out of religious fundamentalism.

Communalist is a person 'who is essentially interested in 'using' and 'exploiting' religion for some personal or private, or for political, electoral purpose with the sole objective of gaining power, position, status, influence, wealth and cheap popularity'.

The two forms of Communalism in India are:

a) Communal Tension  - Communalism assumes the form of  'communal tension' when the religious sentiments and feelings of other religious community are grieviously hurt, on petty issues such as playing of loud music near a religious centre.

b) Communal Politics - The concept of communal politics involves the active use of religion as the sole basis for the new political process, grounded in popular participation, undertake by communal or religious political parties and organisations, which claim to be the representative of their co religionists.

Communal politics is opposed to secular and national politics. 

Some examples of communal violence in India

1947 – Partition of India – which led to hatred, violence, rape and bloodshed. The large number of refugees both in India and Pakistan were a result of communal hatred and these displaced people had to struggle to survive. There as a huge problem of rehabilitation of refugees.

1984 – Anti Sikh Riots – The appeal for separate state of ‘Khalistan’, Operation Blue Star and the assassination of the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, by her Sikh bodyguard, led to communal violence among Hindus and Sikhs. However, Hindus and Sikhs now have cordial relations.

1989 – Ethnic Cleansing of Kashmiri Hindu Pundits – Extremist terrorism in Kashmir led to the Kashmiri pundits fleeing from Kashmir and taking refuge in their own country.

1992 – Babri Masjid Demolition, Ayodhya – This incident saw destruction across the country. Mumbai was subjected to a communal holocaust. The issue is still in court. This was followed by the Mumbai blasts.

2002 – Godhra – The Sabarmati Express with karsevaks returning from Ayodhya was set fire to. This was followed by the Gujarat riots where Hindus massacred the Muslims.

2002 – Akshardham – Attack by two terrorists from Lashkar-e-Toiba

2012 – Assam Communal violence – clashes between tribal population and Bangladeshi immigrants led to riots between Bodos and Bengali speaking Muslims.

2013 – Muzaffarnagar Violence – Ethnic clashes between Jats and Muslims have said to have occurred after a facebook post and due to the eve teasing case in Shamli.

CAUSES OF COMMUNALISM

Past History – The partition is still a bone of contention among the two communities.

Vote bank politics – votes go to leaders who belong to the same community

Presence of communal parties - who reflect communal ideologies.

Majority religious community dominance – Certain leaders promote religious ideologies to gain followers

Poverty – and unemployment lead to backwardness and illiteracy leading to a narrow mindset and does not encourage forward thinking.

Isolation of minority communities – leads to communal tensions in society

Cross border factors – lead to insecurities and communal tension

Religious conversion – every Indian has the right to follow the religion of his/her choice.

Failure of government – to take necessary action in times of communal clashes causing further hatred and destruction of innocent lives as well as public property.

Bias Media – may support a particular community and its cause leading to unnecessary misunderstandings

Psychological causes – Mindsets of individuals and their prejudiced beliefs can lead to communalism.

EFFECTS Or CONSEQUENCES

Communalism leads to intolerance and violence

Flow of the country’s resources lead to unproductive activities instead of productive ones

Damage to innocent lives and public property

Foreign investors do not want to risk their funds which leads to loss to the country’s economy

Disruption of law and order due to riots and anti-social activities

Problem of refugees and their rehabilitation cripples the nation.

MEASURES TO RESOLVE COMMUNALISM

While it is important to encourage a feeling of nationalism, this must be done by safeguarding all 

citizens irrespective of religious background.

Communal political parties must be stopped from promoting a communal agenda which will destroy 

the unity of the nation.

Mass media must be used to promote peace and equality and not inter religious conflict.

There must be religious tolerance among people.

There is a need for people to change their mindsets and to learn to live in peace, brotherhood and harmony.

The election commission must ban all political parties that promote a communal agenda.

Laws and a just judiciary are important when making decisions on communal issues and ensuring justice for all citizens.

Education, economic development and employment opportunities will reduce poverty and in turn improve the mindset of the people.

Communalism is a psychological disorder and the youth and children must be made aware of the negative impact of this stigma.

ADDITIONAL INFO

6 Dimensions of Communalism (as given by T. K. Ooman)

The Assimilationist Dimension - Small religious groups which prefer to get assimilated, integrated with a bigger group. E.g. Jains are called Hindus

The Welfarist Communalism - When a particular community tries to pool in resources for the welfare of ones community members. The welfare - in the field of education, health, cultural growth, etc. For e.g. Jain Hospital, Minority Colleges etc

Retreatist Communalism - When small communities choose to keep away from politics and choose to retain its original identity. e.g. Parsi Community

Retaliatory Dimension - When one community attempts to harm another community. This is views as the most destructive form of communalism. Most of the communal riots are associated with teh retaliatory form of communalism.

Separatist Dimension - stands for a community wanting to maintain its cultural identity and demanding ones separate territorial identity in order to retain its separate existence. e.g. Jharkhand

Secessionist Dimension - When a community demands not just a separate territorial identity but also asks for a separate political identity. e.g. Khalistan. It is the most harmful dimension to the unity and welfare of the nation. It does not imply merely the creation of a new state. It also implies a direct threat to the unitary democratic set up.