Are Secularism and Communalsim different? Why do CPI and CPI-M support Secularism and oppose Communalism eventhough both seem the same, that is, both try to abolish the difference in religions?

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Solution

The ideologies of Secularism and Communalism are different.

Secularism as an ideology implies that state does not establish any religion as a state religion.The state does not favour any particular religion, nor it promotes any particular religion . It also guarantees right to freedom of religion to all. Everybody is allowed freely profess, propagate preach religion of his/her choice.

Communalism is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. All the followers of one religion belong to one community and their basic interests are the same. It is interpreted negatively when a group following a particular religion sees its interest as mutually hostile , incompatible and antagonistic with that of another religious group.This leads to communal tensions and riots.

It is because of this both CPI and CPI-M support the policy of Secularism which is based on the idea of "Equal respect for all religions" and oppose communalism which is divisive ideology and seeks to create tensions and rift in the society.

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Similar questions

Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.

Western Secularism	Indian Secularism
Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs	State supported religious reforms allowed
Equality between different religious groups is a key concern	Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised
Attention to minority rights	Less attention to community based rights
Individual and his rights at the centre	Rights of both individual and religious community protected.

S1: There is difference between Gandhiji's concept of secularism and that of Nehru's.

P : Nehru's idea of secularism was equal indifference to all religions and bothering about none of them.

Q : According to Gandhiji, all religions are equally true and each scripture is worthy of respect.

R : Such secularism which means the rejection of all religions is contrary to our culture and tradition.

S : In Gandhiji's view, secularism stands for equal respect for all religions.

S6: Instead of doing any good, such secularism can do harm instead of good.
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Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.

(a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.

(b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.

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