Communalism gains strength from economic deprivation, and thrives in Environments of social exclusion, creating fertile ground for discontent and division. Comment.

Communalism refers to the serve of antagonism towards the religious communities and strong attachment to one's own religious community.

[Boxed] Communalism - Gains strength from economic deprivation.

1. Economic deprivation leads to unequal labour force participation with high unemployment among a community.

2. This supplies the required man power for propagation of communal motives.

3. It creates a sense of jealousy towards relatively developed community.

[eg] British rule in 19th century kept Muslims economically deprived → Led to demand for separate electorate → Used as a tool for divide & rule.

[Boxed] Communalism thrives in environment of social exclusion.

1. Social exclusion leads to faultlines within various communities.

2. Creates a sense of enmity → efforts to the demand more control over social resources.

[eg] During freedom struggle, Tilak and extremist focused on Hindu symbols like Ganesh chaturthi, Shivaji etc → that excluded Muslims from freedom struggle → led to communalinsm.

[Boxed] Communalism → [Ground for discontent & division]

1. Creates communal conflict → Recognition of the view that two communities can not live together, as their command interest are all different.

[eg] India's division on religious line.

2. Lead to communal riots.

[eg] Muzaffar nagar riots, North-east Delhi riots.

3. Communalism gets converted to regionalism with secessionism.

[eg] Khalistan insurgency.

4. It keeps a society divided - providing opportunity for external interference.

[eg] Pakistan's rule in Kashmir and Khalistan movement.

Way forward - Monitoring of social media [Awareness] Counter-radicalism programmes regarding various religions & their belief system.

Communalism is the greatest threat to a multi-religious society like India. Therefore, it must be tackled through multi-stakeholder approach.

— Prajnanandan Giri · AIR 24