Religious diversity, Communalism and Religious fundamentalism

Diversity in India

(Religious diversity, Communalism and Religious Fundamentalism)

"Religion means realisation, nothing else"

Swami Vivekananda

"Religion is the opium of masses"

Karl Marx

Status of Religious diversity in India 

1. Inter-Religious diversity
• Hinduism
• Jainism
• Sikhism
• Buddhism
• Islam
• Christianity
• Zoroastrianism, etc
2. Intra-Religious diversity
• Sects
• Cults

Issues with respect to Religious diversity 

1. Communalism
• Concept
• Manifestation
• Types
• Evolution
2. Religious Fundamentalism
• Concept
• Factors responsible

Sect - Sects are the offshoots from the existing religion due to difference in the interpretation of the core ideology.

Example -

• Hinduism - Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, etc
• Buddhism - Mahayana, Hinayana, Vajrayana, etc

Sects are very rigid and any kind of deviation is not possiable/accommodated.

Cult - It is the cultural innovation and is not very rigid.

Communalism - 

Communalism is defined as an ideology according to which society is divided into religious communities having different secular (socio-political and economical) interests.

Communalism can also be said as the "Political trade in religion" (i.e., Majahab ki siyasi dukandari - मज़हब की सियासी दुकानदारी).

A man of religion is not communal but a man who practice politics by linking it with religion is communal.

For example - 

• Ram Rajya - An ideal state is not communalism but
• Ram Rajya - when seen synonymous with the rule of lord Rama (Hindu) is an example of communalism.

Religiousness vs Communalism 

Religiousness means having faith in the religion, practicing the religious rituals and culture. However, communalism is political trade in religion.

Manifestation 

1. Mild communalism - People belonging to same religion has same secular interest.
2. Moderate communalism - People belonging to different religions has different secular interest.
3. Extreme communalism - When interest of one religious community is at the cost of other

When the secular interests of people belonging to same community are similar, it is referred as Mild Communalism.

When people belonging to different communities have different interests, it is referred as Moderate Communalism.

However, when people belonging to different communities have mutually hostile interest, it is referred as Extreme Communalism.

Extreme Communalism is based on 'Zero Sum Theory' or 'Constant view of power Approach'. It assumes the powers/interests in a society is constant and if someone is gaining power that means that some other is losing power.

Various different types of Communalism 

1. Assimilationist
2. Welfarist
3. Retreatist
4. Retaliatory
5. Separatist
6. Secessionist

Assimilationist Communalism - When the large religious community tries to assimilate the smaller one such that latter's culture get subdued (lost).

For example - Hindu code bill which is also applicable to Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism as well. G.S. Ghurye's policy of assimilation with respect to tribes is also an example of assimilationist.

Welfarist Communalism - Working for the welfare of your own religious community by establishing hostels, providing scholarships, employment opportunity, etc.

It includes not causing harm to other community but promoting the welfare of members of his own community only.

For example - Jain Scholarship, Jeeto institute which provides UPSC coaching to Jain children at a very subsidized cost, etc.

Retreatist Communalism - (Retreat means pulling backward) It includes forbidding/refusing the members of their own religious community to participate in the political affairs.

For example - Members of Bahai community are forbidden to participate in the political process, since it is based on ideology of unity of god, religion, mankind, etc. (it is referred as Bahaism)

Retaliatory Communalism - When communities believe that they have mutually hostile interest and tend to have violent tendencies towards each other.

For example - Hindu vs Muslim in India, Anti-Sikh riots in 1984 (Hindu vs Sikhs), etc.

Separatist Communalism - Demanding autonomous state based on religious criteria with in the Indian union. 

For example - Demand for Punjabi Suba.

Secessionist Communalism - Demanding autonomous state based on religious criteria by seceding from Indian union.

For example - Demand of Khalistan.

The first three type is not a threat to national integration whereas the last three are a clear threat to the national integration.

Evolution of Communalism in India 

Reasons for the Communalism to exist in India -

1. Aspirations and interests of middle class in a social situation which did not offer them adequate opportunities created grounds for communal politics.
2. The irony in Indian context was that socio-economic reality was such that religious distinctions was co-including with the class distinction.
• For example - Hindu landlords were pitted against Muslim peasants (in Eastern Bengal) whereas the opposite happened in Western Bengal.
3. The power of struggle between the upper strata also manufacture communalism.
4. Divide and rule policy of the British - to counter the growing national movement, communalism became the main prop (tool) of colonialism.
• For example - Tolerance towards communal press, separate electorate, acceptance of communal leaders as the main spoke person of their community, etc. 
5. The failure of national leadership to unify different sections of the society and was restricted to the policy of negotiation with leaders of different religious organisations.
6. There was an implicit acceptance that they only share economic and political interest however they are socially and culturally different.
7. Hindu touch was given to the nationalist agenda.
• For example - Ganesh Festival, Shiva ji Festival, etc was used to mobalise masses.
8. Considering Ancient History of India as glorious Hindu rule whereas Medieval Indian History as Muslim rule.
9. Over emphasizing ancient Indian culture and undermining medieval Indian culture has led to the resentment among the educated Muslims and led to their alienation.

Even in the post-independence period, government failed to come to the terms with the communalism due to the following factors - 

1. Lack of cultural integration
2. Lack of socio-economic opportunities
3. Disparities among the different religious communities
4. Perceived or real deprivation
5. Political manipulation which has led to persistence of communalism in India

PYQ 

Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation. discuss.

Answer 

• Introduction: Definition of Communalism
• Linking Para: Evolution of Communalism in India
• Body:
• Power struggle between Have's and Have not's
• Relative deprivation → Middle class, Jobs were not created enough, Glorification of ancient Indian culture and undermining of medieval Indian history, etc which led to the the feeling of relative deprivation among muslim intellectuals class.
• Hindu colour given to Nationalist movement
• Conclusion: How till date Communalism is not being dealt by the government and it has emerged as the biggest threat to national unity and integrity.
• Way forward/Suggestions

Religious Fundamentalism -

It is a violent offshoot of communalism by which Self-styled true believers of religion, try to arrest the erosion of religious identity.

It is based on the rationale that due to modernisation and secularisation, the world around has changed so much that it is acting as a threat to their ability to protect and preserve their tradition.

Forces of change 

1. Modernisation → Progressive transformation
2. Secularisation → differentiation, privatisation & decline of social significance of religion

Earlier, Political, Social and Economical aspects are driven by Religion but now Religion is confined to cultural space only → Which led to differentiation

Privatisation of religion → Religion is practiced privately, there would not be any public expression of religious sentiments.

Differentiation + Privatisation of religion → decline of social significance of religion

Secularism vs Secularisation 

Secularism → (which is mentioned in Constitution of India) is a political concept whereas Secularisation → is a Social concept.

Conditions for Religious Fundamentalism

Modernisation & Secularisation are the necessary condition for religious fundamentalism but they might not always result into fundamentalism.

However, if modernity spread in rue sense, then the problem of fundamentalism can actually be curtailed. Currently, most of the societies are in transition where modernity has not penetrated every group. It is the mistaken modernity which results in Fundamentalism.

 

Sufficient condition for religious fundamentalism -

1. Ideological cohesion
2. Supply of potential recruits
3. Charismatic leadership
4. Technology and Communication (eg. Social media)
5. Secular education

Question 

Why Hindu fundamentalism is not emerging?

Answer 

Due to the lack of ideological cohesion (Hindus are divided in many sects - Vaishnav, Shivaism, Shaktism, etc)

But the issue of 'Ram Mandir' → ideological cohesion among Hindus which results in Hindu Fundamentalism.

Relatively deprived population → easy to mobilise on the issue of religion (as religion is the opium of masses) → potential recruits (as in case of Jammu & Kashmir).

Charismatic leadership → blind followers

 

Technology & Communication → Faster dissemination of news/ideas/rumours

Secular education → Rationality + Exposure to modern values → questioning regressive practices → challenged the hegemony of orthodox section → fundamentalism

Questions for practice 

Discuss the factors responsible for the growth of Communalism in India

"Modernity is breeding religious fundamentalism". Critically analyse the statement in the context of Indian society.

• Modernity → one condition not the only sufficient condition
• Modernity → changed the world, people thought that it is very difficult to protect and preserve the fundamentals of their religion → may resort to violent means to protect it → Fundamentalism
• However, modernity affects every religion not a single religion but the fundamentalism is not seen in every religion. Give reason why?
• Mistaken modernity

Way forward/Suggestions 

Steps to be taken to contain religious fundamentalism/Communal violence.

Long Term steps - 

1. Value based education without any ideological colouration.
2. De-Communalisation at all the levels of governance.
3. Eradicate problems of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment.
4. Vicarious re-enforcement.
5. Highlighting common values of all the religion.
6. Communal press needs to be banned.
7. Police reform (as recommended by Ranganath Mishra Committee).
8. Confidence building among minorities.

Short term steps -

1. Active participation of administration, NGOs, civil societies, etc to initiate dialogue between different religious communities to drive away mistrust.
2. Ban on social media (as a temporary measure in affected areas).
3. Restrained and responsible journalism.
4. Address the issue of fake news.
5. Use of various cultural platform (media, cinema theatre, etc) to promote harmony among different religions.
6. Peace committee can be established.
7. Strict enforcement of laws to cripple the capacities of these communal organisations which disrupts law and order.
8. Extremist communal outfits should be immediately targeted and their capacity to disrupt law and order should be crippled.

Question for practice 

Differentiate between religiousness and communalism. By giving one example show how the former transformed into latter in the post independence period.

Previous Article - Linguistic diversity 

Next Article - Regional diversity

Notes on other subjects 

Ancient History

Medieval History

Modern History

Art & Culture

Polity

Geography

International Relations

Society

Optional Subject 

Public Administration

Note - This is my Vision IAS Notes (Vision IAS Class Notes) and Ashutosh Pandey Sir's Public Administration Class notes. I've also added some of the information on my own. 

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