COMMUNALISM

Communalism is the belief that because people follow a particular religion, they share common social, political, and economic interests. This leads to the creation of separate groups that often view each other with suspicion, resulting in conflict between different communities.

Characteristics of Communalism

1. Social:

• Cultural Exclusion: Communalism asserts that communities or religions have fundamentally different interests and ambitions.
  • Example: Exclusion of certain groups like Muslims in the Middle East.
• Social Exclusion: Followers of different religions cannot belong to the same social group. This creates boundaries between communities.
• Differential Interests: Even if followers of different religions have some common interests, they are seen as superficial. The focus is on the differences that lead to conflict.
• Unequal Status: Communalism posits that people of different religions cannot coexist as equals in a single nation. One group must dominate the other.
  • Example: The fear of Islamization of India or the fear of creating a Hindu Rashtra.
• Mutual Suspicion: Different communities or religions view each other with suspicion and mistrust.
• Conflicts: Areas with communal populations often have high rates of conflict, as different groups are antagonistic toward each other.
• Cultural Appropriation: One community or religion tries to dominate or assert itself over others.
  • Example: Mob lynching in the name of cow vigilantism.
• Homogenous Interests: It assumes that all members of a community have the same interests, which are entirely different from those of other communities.

2. Individual:

• Intolerance: Individuals are intolerant towards those with different religious beliefs or those who belong to different sects.
• Discrimination: People are discriminated against based on their religion or cultural affiliation in public and social spaces.
• Violence or Hatred: Communalism can result in hate speech or physical violence against members of other communities.

Communalism in India

Before Independence:

• Ancient India: An example of communalism in ancient India is provided, where Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty ordered the execution of around 18,000 followers of the Ajivika sect after complaints by a Buddhist devotee.

• Delhi Sultanate: The arrival of Islam in India during the Delhi Sultanate saw instances of violence, including Mahmud Ghazni’s destruction of Hindu temples and Mahmud of Ghor’s attacks on Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists.
• Mughal India: Aurangzeb’s reversal of Akbar’s policy of religious toleration led to the weakening of Mughal authority and several conflicts across different regions of India.
• Portuguese Goa: The first act of the Portuguese inquisitors was forbidding Hindus from practicing their religion publicly, including banning Hindu rituals and marriages. Hindus were also forced out of the state.

British India:

• Parsi-Muslim Riots 1851: The first major riot due to a blurred depiction of Prophet Muhammad in a Parsi newspaper, sparking violence.
• Divide and Rule: The British adopted the “Divide and Rule” policy, favoring one community over another, which contributed to communal tensions.
• War of 1857: The revolt was seen as involving British attempts to convert Hindus and Muslims to Christianity, which fueled communal tensions.
• Cow Protection Riots 1893: Cow-protecting Hindus attacked Muslims. British officials estimated seven Muslims were killed, while locals claimed 200 lives were lost.
• Partition of Bengal 1905: The partition, perceived as favoring Muslims, led to Hindu protests. The British decision to support the partition further angered Hindus against Muslims.
• Formation of Muslim League 1906: The growing communalism led to the creation of the All-India Muslim League, initially aimed at representing the interests of educated Muslims.
• Two-Nation Theory: The belief that Hindus and Muslims could not coexist in the same country led to the call for the creation of Pakistan, a separate Muslim state.

Post-Independence:

• Partition of India: The 1947 Partition led to the migration of Hindus and Muslims between India and Pakistan, causing widespread violence and massacres.
• Jabalpur Riots 1961: The first major riot post-Partition took place in Jabalpur due to economic competition between a Hindu and a Muslim bidi manufacturer.
• East Bengal Refugees: Refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) led to riots in the eastern parts of India, particularly in 1964, 1965, and 1967.
• Ahmedabad 1969: The Jan Sangh passed a resolution emphasizing Indianization of Muslims, which contributed to tensions in opposition to Indira Gandhi’s leftward politics.
• Nellie Massacre 1983: The massacre was linked to the decision to give voting rights to immigrants from Bangladesh.
• Sikh Riots 1984: After Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s assassination, riots broke out between Hindus and Sikhs, lasting 15 days, primarily in Delhi and northern India.

Notable Incidents of Communalism

1. Babri Masjid Demolition 1992: The demolition of Babri Masjid by right-wing groups triggered widespread communal violence across India, including major cities like Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, and Delhi.
2. Gujarat 2002 Riots: Hindu-Muslim riots were ignited after a train carrying Hindu pilgrims was burned in Godhra. This led to massive violence and loss of lives.
3. Mob Lynchings: Since 2014, numerous cases of mob lynchings have occurred in India, often related to cow vigilante violence targeting Muslims and Dalits. Notable cases include:
   • 2015 Dadri lynching
   • 2016 Jharkhand mob lynching
4. Delhi Riots 2020: The capital witnessed its first major communal violence between Hindus and Muslims since 1984. The riots resulted in 53 deaths and widespread destruction in North-East Delhi.

Types of Communalism (T.K. Oommen’s Framework)

1. Assimilationist Communalism: A larger religious group tries to assimilate smaller ones, leading to the subduing of the latter’s culture.
   • Example: The Hindu Code Bill applies to Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains, considering them part of the Hindu fold.
2. Welfarist Communalism: Focuses on the welfare of one’s own community by establishing hostels, scholarships, and employment opportunities.
3. Retreatist Communalism: Involves retreating from political participation due to religious beliefs, as seen with the Baha’i community which refrains from political processes.
4. Retaliatory Communalism: Manifests in hostile interests between communities, often resulting in communal violence.
5. Separatist Communalism: Demands autonomy based on religion within the Indian union.
   • Example: The demand for a separate Punjab state.
6. Secessionist Communalism: Seeks the creation of a separate nation based on religion.
   • Example: Khalistan and Azad Kashmir movements.

Causes of Communalism

• Historical Causes:
  • British Divide and Rule Policy: The British deliberately fostered divisions among communities, especially Hindus and Muslims, which worsened communal tensions.
  • Legacy of the Past: Communal politics, based on the “Two Nation” theory proposed by Jinnah, led to the partition of India and continues to play a role in modern communal conflicts.
• Political Causes:
  • Polarisation: Communalism polarizes politics, with electoral campaigns often involving hate speech and religious or sectarian appeals.
  • Electoral Politics: Political parties often polarize voters along religious or caste lines during elections, leading to divisions and tensions in society.
  • Political Violence: Hate speech can escalate into violent riots, impacting not only political groups but also the general public.
    1. Example: The 2002 Gujarat riots, which were triggered by the Godhra train incident, is a notable case.
  • Vote Bank Politics: Appeasement of certain religious communities for electoral gains often leads to establishing “vote banks.”

• Example: The use of the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) reservation is cited as an example of vote bank politics.

• Social Consequences: 
  • Ghettoisation: Communalism fosters the formation of segregated urban areas where communities live in isolation from each other.
  • Violence: It often results in violent outbreaks that lead to the destruction of life and property.
  • Discrimination: Communal tensions can result in discrimination in public spaces, employment, and housing based on religion.
  • Mutual Hatred: Communalism breeds hatred and suspicion, causing long-term social division and discord.
  • Poverty Progression: Marginalized groups suffer economic isolation, reducing their opportunities and reinforcing poverty.
  • Militancy: Persistent communalism can give rise to militant and separatist tendencies, particularly among marginalized communities.
  • Targeting Interfaith Couples: Honour killings and lynching of interfaith couples, stemming from communal tensions, are a disturbing consequence.
    • Example: Honour killings like the Panipat case of Komal and Neeraj, and the Hadiya case, where interfaith marriages were violently opposed.
• Economic Consequences:

• Investor Sentiment: High levels of communal tension discourage foreign investment, as investors avoid countries where instability risks their capital.
• Reduces Economic Growth: Communalism stifles economic growth by creating an atmosphere of intolerance and violence, which disrupts the flow of goods and capital.
• Loss of Human Capital: Discrimination in the workplace due to communal biases can lead to the loss of skilled human capital, reducing a country’s economic potential.
• Backwardness: Nations with strong communal ideologies often face backwardness in economic development, as the costs of conflict are high.
  • Example: African nations with high levels of tribal and communal warfare.
• International Image: Communal violence tarnishes a country’s image as a democracy and can provoke international actions against it.
• Diplomatic Relations: Bilateral relations with other nations can be affected, particularly if those nations have populations of the discriminated community.

Is Secularism an Antidote to Communalism?

In Favour:

• Principled Distance: Indian secularism maintains a principled distance from religious affairs in politics, ensuring state decisions are unaffected by religion.
• Mutual Respect: Secularism fosters respect and trust among all communities.
• Institutional Parity: All communities are treated equally, without mistrust or discrimination in state and public institutions.
• Non-Religious Politics: Secularism ensures that politics focuses on public welfare rather than religious dominance.
• Democratic: Secularism makes society more democratic and open to diverse cultures and opinions.
• Freedom of Religion: Secularism guarantees the right to practice any religion or choose no religion, without interference.
• Rule of Law: Secularism ensures that the rule of law prevails over religious morality or customs that conflict with legal norms.

Against:

• Social Isolation: Secularism may drive religion out of public life, leading to spiritual distress for some people.
• Conflict: Extreme secularism can cause conflict when people feel their religious sentiments are being repressed.
  • Example: French secularism prohibiting Muslim women from wearing the hijab in public spaces.
• Minority Appeasement: Secularism can be seen as appeasing minority religions by restricting the majority’s religious practices.
• Corrosion of Values: Secularism may erode traditional religious values, replacing them with legal or moral codes that some may view as inferior. 

Measures to Control/Eradicate Communalism

1. Social: Measures: 

• Reforms in Education: School curriculums should teach tolerance and mutual respect for all communities to foster communal harmony.
• Public Awareness: Awareness campaigns can target areas affected by communal violence and help educate the public about the dangers of communalism.
  • Example: Media, movies, and cultural platforms can promote messages of peace and harmony to mitigate communal violence.

• Civil Society Groups: The government can encourage NGOs and civil society to run projects aimed at building communal awareness and promoting communal harmony.
• National Festivals: National festivals should be widely observed by all communities to foster mutual contact and reduce communal tensions.
• Past Heritage: Promoting a shared national heritage where all communities are united in safeguarding the nation’s interests can inspire communal harmony.
• Vasudeva Kutumbakam: The ancient Indian principle of “the world being one large family” should be emulated to foster unity.

2. Political Measures:

• Regulating Communal Parties: Abolishing political parties based on religion can reduce political polarisation along religious lines.
• Better Monitoring: Social media should be actively monitored to prevent the spread of violent or divisive content.
• Criminal Justice System: A proper compensation scheme should be uniformly applied to all victims of communal violence.
• Law and Order: The police must be sensitised and proactive in ensuring unbiased action during communal events.
• Legislation: A legislation like the Communal Violence (Prevention, Control and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill, 2005 must be enacted soon to curb communal violence.
• Electoral: Strict actions, including punishment for hate speech or calls to violence during elections, should be taken to prevent future communal conflicts.
• Increased Representation: Increasing representation of minorities in law enforcement and training them on human rights can help reduce communal bias.
• Political Distancing: Politicians should adopt a secular approach and distance themselves from promoting religion or sectarian beliefs to reduce communalism.

Government Measures to Control and Eradicate Communalism in India

• Nanavati-Mehta Commission: Set up in 2002 by the Gujarat government to investigate the Gujarat violence.
• Sachar Committee (2005): Recommended setting up an Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC) to redress grievances related to religious, caste, and gender discrimination.
• Ranganath Misra Commission: Suggested reserving 10% of government jobs for Muslims and 5% for other minorities.
• National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): The NHRC works to safeguard victims’ rights but its recommendations are advisory and not legally binding, limiting its impact.
• Need to Define Indian Law Regarding Communal Violence: Communal violence is defined as any act of violence, whether spontaneous or planned, that results in injury or harm to a person or property. This includes violence based on a person’s membership in a religious or linguistic minority, Scheduled Castes, or Scheduled Tribes, as per Article 366 of the Constitution of India.
• Need for a Clear Policy on Victim Rehabilitation: India currently lacks a clear legal policy for the relief and rehabilitation of victims of communal violence. While provisions exist under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) to punish perpetrators, there are no specific regulations ensuring the security of witnesses or accountability for public servants.
• Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence Bill, 2011: This bill, which lapsed in parliament, aimed to establish a national authority to ensure communal harmony, justice, and reparations. It also sought to safeguard minority communities. The bill had been recommended by both the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Misra Commission.
• Requirement for Well-Trained Rapid Action Force: India needs specialized battalions of the Rapid Action Force (RAF), a wing of the CRPF, to deal with riots, crowd control, rescue, and relief operations.

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