Question

What is meant by communalism, in the Indian context?

Answer 1

India is a diverse nation with a pluralistic society. It harbors people of different faiths and religion. The secular form of the Country makes the coexistence of different religions. Communalism means when people or community of one religion or followers of one religion go against the people or community of another religion which causes tension, riots, clashed and destruction to prove the superiority of one over other. Indian Politics is influenced by factors such as caste, religion, and region. The parties are formed on this basis. The political leaders of these parties incite violence for their personal and political gains. It is used as a weapon to divide people in the name of religion to achieve Political ends. In British India, with the arrival of Modern Politics, these tactics were played by Britishers to divide people by appeasing Muslims. Now it is persisting because of vote banks. The country has seen a number of clashes, riots, and communal conflicts. The emergence of extreme communalism is marked by the influence of Politics in religion.