Write an essay on the Communalism in Indian Politics.

Ans.

Introduction:

The Constitution declares India to be a secular state, yet religion plays a distinct role in Indian politics. We have been able to establish a secular state, but not a secular society. Due to religious diversity, various kinds of tensions arise in society, and politicians also play an important role in exacerbating these elements for their own interests. This fulfills their selfish motives. Many scholars like B.G. Kher had expressed the hope that "the old differences between Hindus and Muslims will never arise again once religion separates from politics."

But the events that have occurred in the states of Gujarat, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh in the last 55 years are strong evidence that communal animosity still exists, which flares up from minor incidents and shakes the politics and administration of India.  

Meaning of Communalism:

Communalism includes all those feelings and activities that emphasize the interests of a particular religious or linguistic group, prioritize those interests above national interests, and promote separatist feelings in that group or encourage it. The Parsis, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians have their own organizations along with working for the interests of their members, but such organizations would not generally be called communal because they are not driven by separatism. In contrast, organizations like the Muslim League, and Hindu Mahasabha would be called communal because they prioritize the rights and interests of religious or linguistic groups over national interests. 

In the words of Vincent Smith, "A communal individual or group is one who considers each religious or linguistic group as a distinct social and political unit, whose interests are separate from and even opposed to those of other groups. The ideology of such individuals or groups is called communalism or sectarianism."

In general, the perspective of a communalist is anti-social. It can be called anti-social because in order to fulfill the narrow interests of their own group, they have no hesitation in ignoring the interests of other groups and the entire country. The aim of communal organizations is to exert pressure on the rulers to gain more power, prestige, and political rights for their members.

The Rise of Communalism in Indian Politics:

There have always been disputes in the name of religion throughout human history. From a religious point of view, India has been particularly ill-fated. During the freedom struggle, the British took advantage of religious divisions to maintain their rule. One reason for communal sentiments getting a political form during British rule was the establishment of representative or elected institutions here. The British understood representation to mean the representation of different groups, classes, interests, regions, institutions, and communities. They understood the problem of many groups and castes in India as their natural sense of identity and mutual animosity between each other and believed that the solution was to provide separate representation to different religious groups. After independence, the total number of communal incidents in the country in the last 55 years is around 500 today. 

According to a 1980-81 report of the Communal Unity Cell of the Ministry of Home Affairs, communal violence incidents up to 1977 accounted for 11.6% of the total violent incidents in the country. In 1982 this percentage increased to 17.6% and after 1982 there was an increase of 50%. In 1961, in terms of communal tensions, 61 districts in the country were identified as troubled by the police. By 1990 this number had increased to 100. Another 88 districts are considered prone to erupt at any time, of which 36 are just in Uttar Pradesh.

In 1987, Meerut city witnessed terrible communal riots in which 300 people lost their lives. In the 12 major riots in the Meerut district after independence, 1500 people died. In the last decade, 5500 people have lost their lives, and property worth 1000 crores has been destroyed in Uttar Pradesh due to riots. Gujarat has also become sensitive to communal violence. In May 1987, many areas of Old Delhi saw communal violent incidents forcing the administration to impose a curfew. On January 5, 1993, Mumbai was caught up in widespread communal violence. More than 600 people lost their lives and more than 1500 were injured in this bout of violence. 50,000 people became homeless and 2.5 million people fell victim to starvation. 

According to Home Ministry documents, "No single issue has damaged the mutual goodwill between the Hindu and Muslim communities as much as the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute has." It further states that "the growing tendency to wear the cloak of communalism has created a big hurdle in the process of normalizing inter-community relations."

The Development of Communal Politics in India:

Before the arrival of the British, power in India was in the hands of Hindu and Muslim rulers and nawabs. The East India Company feared them. As a result, they tried to gain the help and sympathy of the Hindus. After the Battle of Plassey when power started coming into the hands of the Company, it started the policy of step-motherly treatment of Muslims and encouraging Hindus in jobs by ignoring Muslims. The discontent of Muslims was expressed in the form of the 'Wahabi Movement'. 

After the 1857 revolt, they adopted the policy of suppressing and subjugating Muslims, considering it a Muslim rebellion through which an attempt was made to establish Mughal rule. As a result, they adopted a shrewd policy of friendship towards Muslims to please them and gain their loyalty. In 1905, Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal. The partition of Bengal was the result of the sinister 'Divide and Rule' policy.

In 1906, the 'All India Muslim League' was formed in Dhaka to protect the political and other rights of Indian Muslims. In 1908, the League demanded greater representation than their population share. In the 1909 Morley-Minto Reforms, separate electorates on a communal basis were incorporated.

In 1919, not only were separate electorates maintained for Muslims, but they were also adopted for Sikhs, Europeans, and Anglo-Indians. After 1928, Jinnah became the villain of communal politics. The Government of India Act of 1935 expanded the system of communal electorates. In 1940, Jinnah propounded the 'Two Nation Theory' and ultimately the partition took place in 1947 on the basis of communalism. 

The initial composition (1946) of the Constituent Assembly of India which framed the constitution was done indirectly through the members of the provincial legislatures in communal groups.

Causes of the Problem of Communalism:

This question is of special importance - why does communalism still persist in India even after achieving independence? Before independence, the British had adopted the 'Divide and Rule' policy, but even after the establishment of a national government after the partition of the country, why are hues of communalism still visible?

The reasons are:

1. Separatist sentiment among Muslims-

It is believed that even today, separatist sentiment exists among Muslims and they have not been able to integrate themselves into the mainstream national movement. Many Muslim leaders advocated after independence that they needed the support of such political parties that believe in secularism, socialism, and economic justice in order to join the mainstream national movement. But it did not have much impact and many Muslim leaders and organizations advocated that Muslims should participate separately to safeguard the interests of the Muslim community. 

2. Economic backwardness of Muslims-

It is true that Muslims have been economically backward since the British period. Their economic condition could not become strong even after independence. Due to educational backwardness, their position did not improve in government jobs, trade, industry, and business. Even today their modernization has not happened which has increased dissatisfaction among them and lowered their morale. Sometimes this dissatisfaction takes an aggressive form and sometimes this dissatisfaction takes the form of violence.

3. Pakistani propaganda-

Whenever sporadic Hindu-Muslim incidents happen in India, Pakistani radio and newspapers try to sensationalize it. They criticize the Indian government and call such incidents communalism and sectarianism between Hindus and Muslims. Pakistan does this so that it can incite India's secular nationalist sentiments. 

4. Narrow Hindu nationalism-

There are also people and groups in India's Hindu community who are blinded by religious bigotry. Organizations like Hindu Mahasabha and Vishwa Hindu Parishad have constantly aroused the religious sentiments of Hindus. These people even say that India is a Hindu country and only followers of the Hindu religion have the right to reside in this country.

5. Government apathy-

Sometimes communal riots also occur due to the indifference of the government and administration. 

Adverse Effects of Communalism:

1. Mutual hatred-

Communalism increases mutual hatred between different classes. Not only does communalism promote mutual hatred, but it is also a very big cause of mutual hatred. When Hindus and Muslims fight the same government for their own interests, it is natural for mutual hatred and animosity to develop. 

2. Economic loss-

Communalism also causes economic loss. There is no telling how many shops are looted, how much national property is destroyed, and how many people are unable to work. Not only that, how much money is spent to control communal riots.

3. Loss of life-

There is also excessive loss of life due to communalism. The examples of communal riots in Ranchi, Srinagar, Varanasi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai are before us. In these riots, not only were lives lost, but many people were left injured between life and death.

4. Political instability-

Another adverse effect of communalism is political instability. 

5. Obstacle in national unity-

Communalism is a serious enemy of national unity. National unity means that all people live together as one, and consider everyone's interests as their own interest. While communalism is completely opposite - its basic premise is that individuals of different communities should struggle for their own interests.

6. Threat to national security-

India is a multireligious country. It is inhabited by many minorities and majorities, and the communal disputes and tensions between these minorities and majorities can pose a serious threat to India's security.  

In addition to the above adverse effects, communalism also hinders economic progress and industrial development in the country. Communalism also adversely affects India's relations with other nations.

Measures to Eradicate Communalism:

Communalism is a grave curse for humanity, and even more deadly in a country like India. With a view to removing religious and communal disputes, the government took a laudable step in August 1991 by enacting the Places of Worship Bill. This bill provides that the status of places of worship will be maintained as it was on 15 August 1947. 

The measures to eradicate communalism are:

1. The government should always ensure that it does not take any action that encourages communalism.
2. Encouragement should be given everywhere for people of all religions to pray together in silence. An atmosphere should be created in public or private places where prayer ceremonies etc. are held, where all can participate.
3. Teaching should incorporate spiritual values. Religious rituals are different from communal rituals.
4. No trend should be created in any public sphere on the basis of a majority. The entire program should be designed so that minorities do not feel in the minority. 
5. The government should always enact laws that apply equally to every individual. There should be no discrimination based on caste, gender, religion, language, community, etc. in the application of laws.
6. The government of India will also have to fix its policy regarding language. This is also a very big cause of communalism in India.
7. Various communities in India demand special representation in government from time to time. The government will have to reject all such proposals only on the basis of communalism and give them the lesson of one nation because it also promotes communalism.

So in summary, the government should take steps to promote national unity, equality, and secular values and prevent the politicization of religious identities. Education and economic development are key to reducing communal tendencies over the long term.