Emergence of Communalism in India
"Nationalism can't exist together with Communalism"
Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru
Communalism -
Communalism in broader sense means a strong attachment to one's own Community (Religion, Caste, Ethnicity, etc)
Communalism in India
In India, Communism as a political philosophy has its roots in the cultural and religious diversity of India.
It has been used as a political propaganda to create differences, tension among people and to divide people on the basis of ascriptive criteria.
It may lead to community hatred and violence (communal riots).
Development of Communalism in India
The development of Communalism in India took place in three different phases.
- First phase (Liberal Communalism)
- Second phase (Liberal Moderate Communalism)
- Third phase (Extreme Communalism)
Liberal Phase of Communalism
- Liberal Communalism - It is the belief that people who follow same religion have common secular interest, i.e., they shared common political, economical and social cultural interest.
- It is the foundation of communal ideology on the basis of which socio-political communities on the basis of religion is created.
- For example - Hindu Mahasabha, All India Muslim League, etc.
Liberal Moderate Phase of Communalism
- It rests on a notion that in a multi-religious society like India, the social, political, economic and cultural interests of the follower of one religion (community) are dis-similar and divergent from the interest of the followers of the other religion (community).
Extreme Phase of the Communalism or Fascistic Communalism
- This stage is reached when the followers of different religion or community are seen to be mutually incompatible, antagonistic and hostile.
- Thus, the communalist assert that Hindus and Muslims can't have common secular interests and their secular interests are bound to oppose each other.
Therefore, in India Communalism is basically above all an ideology on the basis of which communal politics is based.
Most of the communalists before 1937 like Hindu Mahasabha, Muslim League, Ali brothers, Jinnah, Madan Mohan Malviya, Lala Lajpat Rai, etc. functioned within the liberal-moderate communal framework.
Extreme Communalism is based on fear and hatred and has a tendency to use violence of language, deed or behaviour and enmity against political opponent.
This form of communalism was seen in India in later half of the freedom movement in the form of number of communal riots. The partition of India on communal line is also a result of extreme communalism.
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| Communal riots |
Summary
- Liberal Communalism - People of same community have same interests.
- Liberal Moderate Communalism - Interests of one community is dissimilar and divergent from other.
- Extreme Communalism - Interests of one community is not only dissimilar but also antagonistic and mutually incompatible and hostile to the interests of other community.
Causes of emergence of Communalism in India
- Britishers policy of 'Divide and Rule'.
- Hindu and Muslim revivalist movements.
- Communal and distorted view of Indian History taught in schools and colleges (like glorious ancient history of India, medieval muslim invadors, etc)
- Separatist and isolationist politics.
- Rise of Communal and fundamentalist political parties.
Note - I have taken some reference from Drishti IAS Article Click here to read more
To know more about Communalism and Religious Fundamentalism, Click here to read
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