Communalism

Communalism is literally understood as the product the societal state, where groups are sorted according to their desires, want to develop its ideology.link https://www.slideshare.net/brursociology/communalism-118635710

1. Communalism Communalism, as we understand it in our country is blind loyalty to one’s own religious group. It is described as a tool to mobilize people for or against by raising an appeal on communal lines. Communalism is associated with religious fundamentalism and dogmatism. Ram Ahuja says “Communalism is an ideology which states that society is divided into religious communities whose interests differ and are, at times, even opposed to each other”. Abdul Ahmed says “Communalism is a social phenomenon characterized by the religion of two communities, often leading to acrimony, tension and even rioting between them”. Prabha Dixit says “Communalism is a political doctrine which makes use of religious and cultural difference to achieve political ends”.

2. Communalism is an ideological concept; It has a broader base which encompasses social, economic and political aspects for its manifestation It causes rivalry, violence and tension among masses It strikes at the roots of democracy, secularism and national integration.

3. Emergence of communalism Minorities fails to be intermingled in the national mainstream. Most of them do not participate in the secular nationalistic politics and insist on maintaining for separate identity of their religion. They fail to generate the appropriate national ethos. The orthodox members of minorities feel that they have a distinct entity with their own cultural pattern, personal law and thought. Such feelings prevented them from accepting the concept of secularism and religious tolerance. i.e. The British rule which produced the divide and rule policy, separate people on the basis of religion strengthen the basis of communalism in India. There is no cultural similarities between majority and minority communities in India which is a powerful factor in fostering amicable relation. The social institutions, practices of both group are so divergent that they think themselves to be two distinct communities. One of the major psychological factor which play important role in the development of communalism is that Hindus think that Muslims are fundamentalist and not patriotic. On the other hand, Muslims feel that they are being treated as second rate citizens in India.

4. Causes of communalism: Religion-based politics religion-dominated political organizations canvassing in elections based on religious considerations political justification of communal violence and hated speech of political leaders are important cause of communalism Some foreign countries try to destabilize our country by setting one community against the other through their agents Alien invasions

5. Causes of communalism: damage to religious institution old temple and mosque conflict Suppression by other religious ruler are also a factor for rise in communalism Communal violence is a mass mobilization of one religion people against other religion people. The movement are unpredictable, uncheckable and carry an emotional fury Communal riot are more politically motivated Communal riots seems to be more common in northern India than in southern India Out of major 58 riots in India only 13 were in south and east India Most communal riots take place on the occasion of festivals.

6. Probable recommendations Political parties which thrive on religious loyalties should be banned by the government Feelings of nationalism should be inculcated in the mind of people by reminding them about the glorious moments of history where Hindu, Muslim & Sikh were combined to safeguard the interest of country Value-oriented education should be emphasized in school and colleges. Effort should be made through mass media for changing the attitude of people toward other communities. Youth organization and other types of associations should be formed in every locality to give opportunity to people of different communities to come closer and know each other Inter-religion marriages should be appreciated which will lesser the social distance among the members of different religious groups.