Harsita AgrawalAIR 163 · CSE 2024 · 194 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a definition
Communalism refers to the degree of mistrust, dislike and perception of threat between different religious groups in Indian society.
Rise of communalism as a consequence of colonial rule
Body · points
Colonial policy of divide and rule Vishal Arora studies how differential benefits given by Britishers to different religions led to development of communalism.
Result of socio-religious reform movements which spread values of Hindu Chauvinism, cultural superiority. Eg- Shuddhi campaign of Arya Samaj.
Result of freedom struggle Bipin Chandra analyses how Swadeshi movement's focus on Hindu gods, image of Bharat Mata, created alienation among Muslims.
Colonial definition of history - colonial scholars like Metcalfe, Munro, Henry Maine divided Indian history into ancient/Hindu role and medieval/muslim rule, creating divisions in society.
Other factors for rise of communalism in post-independent India.
Incomplete modernisation and secularisation is leading to communalism, according to T.K. Oommen.
Globalisation → increasing contact between religions → increasing threat to religious identity → communalism, as explained by Samuel Huntington's Clash of Civilisations.
Secularism is creating threat to cultural distinctiveness, manifesting as communalism → Ashish Nandy.
Close · a way forward
Therefore, measures such as cross-cultural contacts are needed to fight communalism in present times.