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DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

COMMUNALISM

Subject: Political Science

Submitted to: T. Y. Nirmala Devi

Submitted by: Prateek Kumar

Roll no: 2013085

Semester: 2nd

Session: 2013-18

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am very thankful to everyone who all supported me for I have completed my project effectively

and moreover on time. I am equally grateful to my Political Science faculty T. Y. Nirmala Devi.

She gave me moral support and guided me in different matters regarding the topic. She had been

very kind and patient while suggesting me the outlines of this project and correcting my doubts. I

thank her for his overall supports.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank my friends who helped me a lot in gathering different

information, collecting data and guiding me from time to time in making this project despite of

their busy schedules, they gave me different ideas in making this project unique.

Thanking you

Prateek Kumar

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CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that my Project Work entitled “The Politics of Communalism.” Submitted by

Mr. Prateek Kumar is the record of work carried out during semester-II of First Year B.A. LL.B.

Course for the academic year 2013-2018 under my supervision and guidance in conformity with

the syllabus prescribed by Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University.

Place: Visakhapatnam

Date:

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION……………………..……………………………………………….5-7

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVE…….……………………………………………..……………….8

3. HYPOTHESIS……………………………………………………………….……………8

4. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………...…..8

5. CHAPTERISATION

i. MEANING OF COMMUNALISM………………………………...………….9,10

ii. CAUSES OF COMMUNALISM…………………………………………….11-13

iii. EMERGENCE OF COMMUNALISM IN INDIAN POLITICS………..………14

iv. COMMUNALISM AND INDIAN POLITICS……………………………….....15

v. THE POLITICS OF COMMUNALISM A THREAT TO INDIAs UNITY…16-

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vi. LATEST NEWS REGARDING POLITICS OF COMMUNALISM……..…20-23

vii. PROBLEMS DUE TO THE POLITICS OF COMMUNALISM IN INDIA…....24

viii. SUGGESTION FOR THE ERADICTION OF COMMUNALISM…………….25

ix. CONCLUSION………………………………………………………………….26

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………..27

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INTRODUCTION

The politics on communalism by political leaders is an old phenomenon indeed. On the Hindu

side, it appears along with the crystallization of militant Hinduism in the late ninth century. It

was primarily aimed at mobilizing the Hindu community against what was perceived by some

Hindu leaders at the Muslim threat. It can be proved by some of the most important examples.

Tilak’s reinterpretation of processions in honor of Ganesh festival beginning in the 1890s, the

case of the Ram Lila in Allahabad, representation an anti-Muslim Unitarian mobilization. In the

1920s, following the Khalifat movement, the same logic operated1.

A unique feature of our country is that the major religions of the world are practiced here like

Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Zoroastrianism. Hinduism is a

dominant religion and others are in minority. But we can notice comparative peace and

friendliness among other religions. Unluckily this peace and friendliness are not seen among the

Hindus and the Muslims.

The two have never respected each other's identity and broken out from time to time in various

parts of the country. And whenever there is a riot, national integrity has fallen into danger.

We can trace the history of communal riots in the background of our independence. We gained

our independence after a long and difficult struggle. Our leaders had a vision of a free and a

united country, which inspired them to fight eventually not one but two countries were formed,

India and Pakistan. The separate state of Pakistan was created for Muslims. When these two

states were formed terrible problems arose.

There were many Hindus in Pakistan and Muslims in India. Some communal minded people

began to inflame communal passion. They began to riot and kill people belonging to the other

faith. Communal hatred showed its true color as lakes of innocent people were massacred and

millions rendered homeless.

1 Wilkinson Steven I., Religious, political and communal violence, Oxford publication, edition- first in 2005

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The horrors of partition had a strong effect on everyone's mind. The creation of Pakistan could

not solve the communal problems. Hindus and Muslims remained at daggers drawn. The makers

of the constitution resolved that India would be a secular state where everyone would be free to

practice his/ her religion. But due to some misguided people and corrupt Politicians several

communal riots have broken out even after independence.

In 1979, Aligarh was utilized by communal riots and it took several months to bring the situation

under control. In 1980 there were communal riots in Moradabad, Aligarh, Allahabad, and Delhi.

Again in 1987 and 1991 there were widespread riots in Meerut. To crown them all was the drab

Carnage which occurred in the year 2002. It looked a partition again.

These communal riots are the greatest blot on humanity they spread hatred and insecurity. They

lead to a great destruction of life and property. The normal lives of people are disturbed which is

a great loss to the country as well.

For the well being of all our people and the country, it is important that we respect other

religions and live in peace and harmony. Our leaders can be of great help in this field. They can

inspire people to outlook the differences between Hindus and Muslims. Social workers should

extend their helping hands in preparing an atmosphere of love, friendship and harmony. Disputes

should be solved peacefully.

The media of mass communication should promote an atmosphere of natural understanding by

high highlighting the similarities in the culture of the two communities. The T.V., newspaper and

the radio should not give any such news which may inflame communal feelings. Instead the

news should aim at restoration of peace which alone can save humanity.

Thus, Communalism became even more significant vehicles of violence when local power

politics was at strike. The relative democratization of the political system, which followed the

Government of India act of 1919, favored the emergence of a political class which was more to

the sensibilities of the electorate and was concerned, therefore, with defending religious

institutions such as processions. Over the years, a specific pattern of communal-based riots has

emerged, for ideological and electoral reasons.

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The growing importance of elections in a democratic framework and the increasingly tense

relations between Hindu and Muslims from the 1970s onwards largely explain this development.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, however, the different aspects of the politics of communalism

were increasingly integrated2. Hindu nationalist leaders used communalism and riots to mobilize

supports more and more frequently, especially at the time of elections, when it was particularly

useful for them to polarize the electorate along religious lines.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

The researcher prime objective is to validate the “Meaning of Communalism and its causes”. Its

aim is to find out the “Emergence of communalism in India, relation of Communalism and

Politics, Problems due to Politics of Communalism and some latest news regarding

communalism”. And finally the researcher will conclude the research work.

HYPOTHESIS

The researcher hypothesizes that, the topic of my project “THE POLITICS OF

COMMUNALISM” is a very burning topic of today’s India. Most of the politics are done on

communalism. Even most of the politicians are asking for vote in the names of Communalism.

As we that India is the country of all religions. Here all the religions got equal importance. But

due the Politics of communalism, it seems to be unequal. And sometimes it results into riots also.

2 Words Essay on communalism, Accessed on 06/09/2013 at 22:55 IST

, http://www.preservearticles.com/2011081510568/506-words-essay communalism-free-to-read.html

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The various books, websites, magazines and newspaper are referred for this topic. The sources

from which the material for this research collected are secondary. So the methodology used in

the research has been Doctrinal. No non-doctrinal method has been used by the researcher in this

project work.

MEANING OF COMMUNALISM

Communalism is an ideology of politics allegiance to a religious community. It means to use a

religious community against another communities or the nation. It exploits religion for political,

personal, financial or electoral gains3.

It is described as a tool to mobilize people for or against by raising an appeal on communal

lines. Communalism is associated with religious fundamentalism and dogmatism.

Abdul Ahmad says, “Communalism is a social phenomenon characterized by the religion of two

Communities, often leading to acrimony, tension and even rioting between them”.

Prabha Dixit writes,

“Communalism is a political doctrine which makes use of religious and cultural differences to

achieve political ends.”

According to Asqhar Ali Engineer, Moin Shakir and Abdul Ahmed, “it is an instrument in the

hands of to upper Cass to concentrate power by dividing people”. The elites strive to maintain a

status quo against transformation by dividing people on communal and religious lines.

3 Puja Mondal, Problems of Communalism in India, Accessed on 06/09/2013 at 23:11 IST,

http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/communalism /problems-of-communalism-in-india-essay/4091/

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Communalism may be perceived as a total commitment to a set of beliefs and it, s far from

rationality.

Communalism is the belief that because a group of people follow a particular religion they have,

as a result, common secular, that is, social, political and economic interests.

It is the belief that in India religious groups like Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians form

different and distinct communities; that all the followers of a religion share not only a

commonality of religious interests but also common secular interests; that there is, and can be, no

such thing as an Indian nation.

But only a Hindu nation, or a Muslim nation and so on; that India can, therefore, only be a mere

confederation of religious communities.

Inherent in communalism is the second notion that the social, cultural, economic and political

interests of the followers of one religion are dissimilar and divergent from the interests of the

followers of another religion.

The third stage of communalism is reached when the interests of the followers of different

religions or of different religious 'communities' are seen to be mutually incompatible,

antagonistic and hostile.

Thus, at this stage, the communalists assert that Hindus and Muslims cannot have common

secular interests, and that their secular interests are bound to be opposed.

CAUSES OF COMMUNALISM

There are a number of causes which are responsible for the prevalence of communalism. Some

of the important causes of communalism are discussed below.

1. Tendency of the Minorities:

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The Muslims fail to be intermingled in the national mainstream. Most of them do not participate

in the secular nationalistic politics and insist on maintaining tor separate identity the elite among

the Muslims have failed to generate the appropriate national ethos.

2. Orthodoxy and Obscurantism:

The orthodox members of minorities feel that they have a distinct entity with their own cultural

pattern, personal laws and thought. There are strong elements of conservatism and

fundamentalism among the Muslims. Such feeling has prevented them from accepting the

concept of secularism and religious tolerance.

3. Design of the Leaders:

Communalism has flourished in India because the communalist leaders of both Hindu and

Muslim Communities desire to flourish it in the interest of their communities. The demand for

separate Electorate and the organization of Muslim league were the practical manifestations of

this line of Thought. The British rule which produced the divide and rule policy, separate

electorate on the basis of religion strengthened the basis of communalism in India Ultimately the

partition of the country into India and Pakistan provided further an antagonistic feeling towards

each other.

4. Weak Economic Status:

A majority of Muslims in India has failed to adopt the scientific and technological education.

Due to their educational backwardness, they have not been represented sufficiently in the public

service, industry and trade etc. This causes the feeling of relative deprivation and such feelings

contain the seeds of communalism.

5. Geographical Causes :

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The territorial settlement of different religious groups especially Hindus, Muslims and Christians

Causes in them wide variation in the mode of life, social standards and belief system. Most of

these patterns are contradictory and this may cause communal tension.

6. Historical Causes:

The Muslims, all over the subcontinent, are converts from Hinduism, which was facilitated due

to the caste-hate relations and under the compulsions of Muslim rulers. The problems of social

segregation, illiteracy and poverty that had set apart the low caste people remain unresolved for

them, as the foreign elite that rubbed never shared power with them. Their work ended with the

conversion of the Indians and the converts began by imitating the masters in thought, speech and

dress. It caused their alienation. Gradually, elements of communalism entered in the Muslim

community. The separatist elements in the Muslim community, from the very start of the

national resurgence had discouraged others of their community, from associating themselves

with it. As a result Muslim league was formed which demanded partition of the country.

7. Social Causes:

Cultural similarity is a powerful factor in fostering amicable relations between any two social

groups. But the social institutions, customs and practices of Hindus and Muslims are so divergent

that they think themselves to be two distinct communities.

8. Psychological Causes:

Psychological factors play an important role in the development of communalism. The Hindus

think that the Muslims are fanatics and fundamentalists. They also believe that Muslims are

unpatriotic. On the contrary, the Muslims feel that they are being treated as second rate citizens

in India and their religious beliefs and practices are inferior. These feelings lead to communal ill-

feeing.

9. Provocation of Enemy Countries:

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Some foreign countries try to destabilize our country by setting one community against the other

through their agents. Pakistan has played a role in fostering communal feeling among the

Muslims of our country. Pakistan has been encouraging and promoting communal riots by

instigating the militant sections of Indian Muslim community. Kashmir youths are trained by

Pakistan to destabilize India’s internal security by spreading communal venom

.

10. Negative Impact of Mass Media:

The messages relating to communal tension or riot in any part of the country spread through the

mass media. This results in further tension and riots between two rival religious groups

EMERGENCE OF COMMUNALISM IN INDIAN POLITICS

Some of the important reasons for the emergence of communalism in Indian politics are given

below-

1. Because of historical reasons, many of the Indian Muslims consider themselves closer to the

Muslims of other countries rather than other religious groups of India.

2. Some of the Muslims and their leaders undermine the feeling of nationalism and espouse

religious fundamentalism.

3. Indian Muslim leaders suffer from minority complex and fear psychosis and find the reasons

of backwardness of Muslims on communal lines. They always blame the government for their

backwardness and allege that the government is discriminatory towards Muslims.

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4. The narrow approach of our neighbor Pakistan towards Indian Muslims incites the feeling of

separateness and fundamentalism among Indian Muslims.

5. The educational and economic backwardness of Indian Muslims keep them away from

national mainstream and perpetuates fundamentalism and separation among them. They become

easy victims of vested political interests.4

The policy of vote bank towards Muslims, adopted by political parties has further encouraged the

divisions among different religious groups and obstructed the possibility of religious harmony

and closeness.

COMMUNALISM AND INDIAN POLITICS

The relationship between communalism and Indian politics was institutionalized way

back in 1909 by the Morley-Minto Reforms and subsequently through the Montford

Reforms of 1919 which led to separate electorates. Though the system was abolished in

1947 the germs of communalism remained in independent India as well.

The introduction of universal adult franchise in independent India was one of the historic events

of the nation. This gave the people of this country an opportunity to elect their representatives, a

right which was denied to them for long. However, political parties soon began to look for ‘easy

ways’ of mobilizing votes. Besides using caste they also used religion to woo voters.

Interestingly, the law of the land does not debar the formation of political parties on the basis of

caste or religion. Even the Supreme Court in a judgment delivered on 17th July, 1995, ruled that

political parties which identify with a particular caste, community, religion or language can seek

4 Religion and Communalism in Indian Politics, Accessed on 06/09/2013 at 23:30 IST,

http://younghopes.wordpress.com/2011/04/09/religion-and-communalism-in-indian-politics/

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votes to promote their cause without harming or creating hatred for other caste, community,

religion or language. Unfortunately, many political parties today cross their limits and this has

created a number of communal violence in recent years.5 

Moreover, communal issues are often brought up during the time of elections; this is mostly done

to divert attention from real issues of basic development. A section of politicians have been

manipulating communal issues for their selfish ends. This section of individuals and groups are

more prone to use divisive ideologies like communalism to ensure their political power.

Communalization of politics has today become a threat to secular character of the nation.

In Independent India, the tendency of communalism has increased in the democratic process.

Thus, Muslims have been treated as a ‘Vote Bank’ by different political parties in differen times.

Political parties have adopted the policy of appeasement towards Muslims and other minority

groups like Sikhs and Christians to seek their political support.

The Politics of Communalism, a threat to India’s unity

“All kinds of communalism are dangerous. Just before 1947, the main damage to national unity

was inflicted by Muslim Communalism which led to the partition of India. After 1947 it is the

Hindu communalism which poses great threat to India’s democracy and its unity. – A Thinker.

India is a secular State. Secular means non-religious, but in the context of Indian polity. It means

theco-existence of all religions without any kind of discrimination. Though our constitution

safeguards for the minorities, the actual implementations of the provisions is a complex one.

Indian people are generally known for their non-violence, tolerance, brotherhood character, that

is why number of religion has flourished in India society. After the traumatic partition and

bloodshed, during the partition, has given the political parties, several inflammable issues for

exploiting communal passions for their political gains. Not only the politicians, but also the

religious heads of minorities and majority community instead of trying to mitigate the communal

5 INTRODUCTION TO ISSUES IN INDIAN POLITICS: CASTE, COMMUNALISM, Accessed on 06/09/2013 at 23:45 IST,

http://www.kkhsou.in/main/polscience/issues_indian.html

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fringy, flared it up with their speeches and actions. The destruction of BABRI MASJID and

burning alive the Hindu Kar Sewaks in Godhra (Gujarat) and the incidences of violence in

Gujarat after Godhra Massacre, have torn the Secular Fabric of Indian Democracy to

uncountable pieces. One incidence after another creates more hatred, more incidences, and more

communalism in the country.

During struggle for independence, several reformers and freedom fighters were committed to the

Task of modernizing the religious practices in India but what is seen now a day? Communal

violence’s have become the order of the day. The socio economic backwardness, illiteracy,

poverty of the vast population of our country, both Hindus and Muslims, has always remains a

fertile ground for fanaticism, and communal hatred. The hard-liner or extremists on both sides

never they to educate the common people, about the demerits of their communal feelings so that

they may continue to exploit them of their vested interests. Such attitude on the part of religious

leaders, contributed to a great extent in the growth and development of communalism in Indian

society which surely will sometime work as a nuclear war head and destroy the while country.

In India, throughout the past century, communal forces have tried to capture the political centers

tyage. For the various means they have sought to disrupt the unity and integrity of the country,

tried to gnaw at the very secular foundations of India culture and history. But overtime they have

failed. Yet, the consequences of such thought have often been traumatic. One has to but mention

the holocaust of 1947, assassination of Mahatma Gandhi demolition of the Babri Mosque at

Ayodhya and the riots accompanying it etc. to get a feel of the trauma. The Muslim

fundamentalists have made it an issue of their identity and existence. The Hindu fundamentalist

are also not behind inciting the gullible masses, to rise against the Muslims, by making them

believe that Hindus in Hindustan are being treated as second class citizens.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) and the Sangh Parivar, which is an umbrella sheltering

and nurturing organization like Bharitya Janata party (BJP), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the

Bajrang Dal, the Shiv Sena and other of their ilk, is such a conglomerate. The backbone of the

now infamous “Saffrom Brigade” i.e. the organizations following a militant Hindu

Fundamentalist agenda and fascist principles, is the RSS. In fact the “family” came into being

because the RSS was rejected by people after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and thus

chose to remain in background.

The basic fabric of Indian society and polity, which is heterogeneous, composite and democratic,

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The basic fabric of Indian society and polity, which is heterogeneous, composite and democratic,

Can under attack by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang (RSS) and its various supporters in different

guises. The most important of these is BJP. The politicians or religious leaders of BJP, VHP, RSS

and Bajrang Dal might have some good reasons in reviving the past glories of Hinduism, but the

cruel fact is that their efforts for such revival are creating communal tensions among Muslims.

After independence – all the political parties – have exploited religion and caste sentiments in

furthering their political goals.

Over the past years, the Muslim community in India has been demonized in both subtle and overt

Ways. Hindu right is obsessed with sexuality and power, which manifested themselves in most

Gruesome form during the riots via both the systematic attacks on Muslim women and the

widespread and false stories circulating those Hindu women were being abducted and raped by

Muslim men.

They second key obsession is with “nation”. It is telling that immediately after the burning of the

Sabarmati, the Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani said that the event was Pakistani-inspiration, in

the absence of any evidence. Although some claimed that this was to divert blame away from the

local Muslim community, the record of the Sangh Parivar, and Advani in particular, shows that

the fundamental motivations are quite the opposite – to put the nationality of Indian Muslims

under question.

Creating strong associations between the notion of “Muslims” and the notion of “foreigner” is a

part of the Sangh Parivar project of the construction of India as a Hindu State. During the riots it

is common for mobs to chant the verse “there seemed only two living places for Muslims-

Pakistan or the cemetery (kabrastan)” Traditionally secular forces in India have attempted to

undermine these notion by stressing the “Indian-ness” and “loyalty” of Indian Muslims, with the

role of so many in the freedom struggle, etc.

In the aftermath of Gujarat, what was seen by many as a cynical attempt to divert attention away

from the carnage, the Indian government engineered a confrontation with Pakistan which

brought the region to the edge of nuclear war. On 14 May 2002 an army barracks at Kaluckhak

near Jammu was stormed by militants and both soldiers and their families were killed. Although

there have been such regular attacks before- indeed ones which have taken a greater tool – this

time India immediately geared up for war with Pakistan. It is very uncertain what degree of

control Pakistan commands over militants infiltrated into India, but with the countr5y still reeling

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from the violence in Gujarat it was clearly a convenient time to divert everyone’s attention

towards the permanent enemy.

All groups, whether Hindu or Muslim, which encourage narrow communal identities are adding

to the problem. The reality is that real people’s identities are fluid and complex, whereas the

project of ethnic nationalism requires the construction of narrow identities, and then the use of

those identities to mobilize people. In this way, the apparently innocent encouragement of

religious identity can be part of a process which culminates in violence.

Riots are rarely spontaneous events. Probably the most incorrect caricature of the recent violence

is of spontaneous tit for tat violence. To highlight the organized nature of violence is not to brush

away the difficult questions of where exactly mass violence and mass sexual violence comes

from and how these are connected with authoritarianism and sexual repression.

The religious right in India exploits to a great extends its multiple faces, from the more

respectable to the more extreme. The key point to recognize is that the differences between the

organizations are tactical rather than ideological.

There are no golden pasts. History, especially the pre-British history of India, has become a

battleground with Hindu Nationalist reminding us of an apparently beautiful pre-Islamic era, and

secularists attempting to counter this with examples of peace, progress and cohesion achieved

during the time of Mughal rule. The reality is that such simplifications of history are always

dangerous. All empires, pre-Islamic, and post-Islamic have been born though brutal conquest and

expansion hand have seen great social injustices. Many have also had their times of relative

peace and stability, and social progress.

Today it is probably more useful to question the overall way the history is caricatured, rather

than getting bogged down in detailed debate. Enmity between India and Pakistan is crucially

linked to the ability of the Sangh Parivar in India to orchestrate violence against Muslims. Fear

of the enemy without and the enemy with feed off each other. The perceived threat of

“terrorism”, the associated climate of fear, and the need for “strong leaders” which this breeds

are preconditions for getting the complicity of significant sections of the population in a

genocidal project.

Thus the anti-communal movement must be linked to a peace movement. Undermining the

construction of India as a Hindu state, undermining the construction of Pakistan as a Muslim

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state, and undermining their cross-border tensions because of Terrorism all linked ingredients in

preventing a slide towards fascism and war.

In a country like India, with so much plurality and diversity, talking of Hindu state, or Hindustan

for Hindus, shall be a dangerous sign, totally the well-established, secular fabric of Indian

Constitution. The un-secular forces organizations must keep in mind that communalizing India

will bring horror in the country and the people will eat other and time is near that we will be

again under foreign rule. Unless an all-out attempt is made to contain the communal forces, the

very unity of India is in danger. A total ban on all types of communal organizations must be put

forth. A social and cultural movement should be launched to awaken the people about the reality

of the communal violence and their effects on them and on the country as a whole. The process

has to start from top. All political parties and religious organizations must stop delivering

inflammatory speeches and inciting the general masses in the name of religion. A wrong action

on the part of a community cannot be equalized by another wrong action by another community.

For the survival of the country, secularism has to survive for the survival of secularism, religious

friendship, togetherness and tolerance are must. Communalism can only destroy the unity and

integrity of the nation; it can’t help in creating friendship, fraternity or togetherness.6

LATEST NEWS

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6 communalism a threat to India’s unity, Accessed on 05/O9/2013 at 22:18 IST,

http://www.rosemaryinstitute.com/essayarticles/1834-essay--communalism-a-threat-to-Indias-unity

7 ANI, Goondaraj' SP and Congress playing politics of 'communalism': BJP, Accessed on 05/09/2013 at 22:45 IST,

http://in.news.yahoo.com/goondaraj-sp-congress-playing-politics-communalism-bjp-105615483.html

19

New Delhi, Aug. 26 (ANI): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday hit out at the

ruling Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) for imposing restrictions on the Vishwa Hindu

Parishad (VHP) from going ahead with its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra’ in Ayodhya.

Reacting to the accusation that his party had vandalized the Samajwadi Party's office, BJP

spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said the allegations were baseless.

"The restrictions put on the religious yatra are against democracy. Now, tell me how is it

possible to attack the office of the goondaraj itself? This is a joint game played by the Congress

and the SP to politicize the whole issue. It is an effort by them to lead the common man astray,"

Javadekar said.

"It is a joint effort by the Congress and the Samajwadi Party to not let Parliament to function, as

well as impose restrictions on religious yatras in Uttar Pradesh. They are together going about

their politician based on religion and communalism," he added.

Meanwhile, The Uttar Pradesh Government's massive crackdown to prevent the Vishwa Hindu

Parishad (VHP) from going ahead with its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra in Ayodhya on

Sunday, led to protests on the streets of Delhi on Monday.

About 2,000 VHP activists protested at Jantar Mantar and the police used water cannons when

some of them tried to break barricades to go towards Parliament. In the Lok Sabha, BJP member

Yogi Adityanath accused the UP government of insulting Hindus by not allowing the VHP to go

ahead with its planned yatra.

Senior VHP leaders Pravin Togadia and Ashok Singhal were among the nearly 1,700 people

arrested in a massive crackdown by the Uttar Paradesh administration to foil the saffron outfit's

yatra on Sunday that was banned over fears of a communal flare-up.

The planned 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra' was to have lasted till 13th September criss-

crossing six districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had earlier on Saturday dismissed a plea for

allowing the 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra', stating that there is a possibility of tension, and

added that the restriction will be maintained.

The VHP has vowed to kick off its 'Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama' around Ayodhya to revive its

demand for a Ram temple.

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The Samajwadi Party Government has banned the proposed Yatra, as a preemptive measure

against communal flare-up, and put in place elaborate security arrangements by rushing in 10

companies of the Rapid Action Force and 12 companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary

(PAC). (ANI)

BJP going for communal polarization: CPI-M

On October 04, 2013, The BJP and its affiliates are fuelling communal passions as the "Gujarat

model" of development has increasingly come under attack, the CPI-M has said.

Mulayam wants BJP rule in the country: Beni Prasad Verma

On September 27, 2013, Beni Prasad Verma fired fresh salvo at Samajwadi Party supremo

Mulayam Singh Yadav accusing him of practising politics of communalism.

Narendra Modi, Raman Singh skip NIC meet

On September 23, 2013, Gujarat Chief Minister and BJP`s 2014 PM candidate Narendra Modi

has decided to skip the crucial meet. Meanwhile, BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman

Singh has also decided not to attend the meet.

Goondaraj` SP, Congress playing politics of `communalism`: BJP

On August 26, 2013, The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday hit out at the ruling Congress

and the Samajwadi Party for imposing restrictions on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) from

going ahead with its `Chaurasi Kosi Parikrama Yatra in Ayodhya.

Will not tolerate communal activities in UP, says Shivpal Yadav

On August 20, 2013, Justifying UP govt`s decision to deny permission to VHP`s proposed yatra

at Ayodhya, Shivpal Yadav said the govt. will not tolerate communalism.

21

Burqa of secularism better than nakedness of communalism: Congress

On July 15, 2013, Taking on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi over his burqa remark, Ajay

Maken, head of the Congress` communications department, said the `veil of secularism` was

better than blatant communalism.

Congress, other anti-BJP parties afflicted with `secularities`: Rajnath Singh

On June 24, 2013, slamming its adversaries for trying to create a divide on lines of secularism

and communalism in the country, the BJP today charged the Congress and its allies with

suffering from "secularities" disease.

Nitish`s attack on Modi: Congress questions `silence` of Left, SP8

On April 16, 2013, Congress latched on to Nitish Kumar`s attack on Narendra Modi to target the

Left and the Samajwadi Party, accusing them of being silent on the issue of communalism.

Problems due to the politics of Communalism in India

Indian society is pluralistic from religious point of view. Here, we have the followers of all the

great religious systems. Hindus constitute the bulk of the population and they inhabit in all parts

of the country. Muslims constitute the largest religious minority. But the adjustment between the

Hindus and Muslims has been a failure several times, resulting in violent communal riots.

In the communal riots during the period of independence millions of people were rendered

homeless while millions of others lost their property. Communalism was responsible for the

division of the country into India and Pakistan. The partition was expected to resolve the riddle,

8 Accessed on 05/09/2013 at 22:30 IST, http://zeenews.india.com/tags.aspx?tag=Communalism&page=1

22

but it failed. There is, yet, to develop the neighborhood living pattern between Hindus and

Muslims9.

Suggestions for the Eradication of Communalism:

The following measures may be taken for the eradication of communalism.

1. Abolition of Communal Parties :

All the political parties which thrive on religious loyalties should be banned or abolished by the

Government. Even non-political cultural organizations should always be kept under constant

vigil so that they cannot preach communalism.

2. Transmission of the Past Heritage:

Feelings of nationalism should be inculcated in the minds of people by reminding them about the

Glorious moments of history in Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs were combined to safeguard the

interest of the country.

3. Public Opinion :

Efforts should be made through mass media for changing the attitude of people towards other

Communities. People must be aware of the evils of the communalism.

4. Inter-religious Marriage:

Youth organizations and other types of associations should be formed in every locality to give

Opportunity to people of different communities to come closer and know each other. This may

help them to practice inter-religious marriages which will lessen the social distance among the

9 Puja Mondal, Problems of Communalism in India – Essay, Accessed on 06/09/2013 at 23:11 IST,

http://www.yourarticlelibrary.com/communalism/problems-of-communalism-in-india-essay/4091/

23

members of different religious groups. Both the Government and people should make efforts for

eradication of communal tension and conflict.

CONCLUSION

After going through various books, online materials and other data sources, the researcher has

concluded that, the religious processions are occasions lend themselves to the outbreak of

Communalism or communal riot because the participants have an intricate relation to space and

an exceptionally strong sense of belonging to their community.

However, the available evidence suggests that these conditions are certainly necessary but not

sufficient for collective aggression. In most of the cases cited in this project, such potential

energy exploded when it was directed and even sparked off by ideologically minded leaders.

Indeed, as communalism has become increasingly politicized, they have become more directly

correlated with riots.

The pattern of communalism – based riots which emerged in the late nineteenth century with the

reinterpretation of the Ganesh festival was initiated by Hindu leaders eager to unify and mobilize

Hindus- allegedly in reaction to Muslims assaults. This type of ideological communalism, as a

vehicle for recurrent acts of violence, was to be found again in the 1920s in Nagpur. At the time,

the democratization of the political system brought forth a small political class which, divided as

it was into parities and factions, was all the more inclined to exploit the religious sentiments of

the electorate. In fact, the transformation of Hindu processions into shows of force and the

triggering of communal violence were sometimes seen as a means of polarizing the voters along

religious lines. Another significant change lay in the partial nationalization of the Hindu-Muslim,

as promoted by “yatra politics”.

By concluding, the researcher must say that, Politicians should not do their politics on

24

communalism because India is the country of mixed caste and religion, And this is the only

country where all the religions got equal importance. For mentioning the dignity of our country,

Politicians instead of doing Politics of communalism they must support all the religion equally

and should also propagate the feelings of brotherhood. By this there will be no any chance for the

occurrence of riots

BIBLIOGRAPHY

WEBSITES:-

1. www.rosenmaryinstitute.com

Accessed on 15/O3/2014 at 22:18 IST

2. zeenews.indc.com

Accessed on 15/03/2014 at 22:30 IST

3. in.news.yahoo.com

Accessed on 15/03/2014 at 22:45 IST

4. www.preserveariticles.com

Accessed on 16/03/2014 at 22:55 IST

5. www.yourarticlelibrary.com

Accessed on 16/03/2014 at 23:11 IST

6. younghopes.wordpress.com

Accessed on 16/03/2014 at 23:30 IST

7. www.kkhsou.in

Accessed on 16/03/2014 at 23:45 IST

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BOOKS:-

1. RELIGIOUS POLITICS AND COMMUNAL VIOLENCE, written by- Steven I.

Wilkinson, Oxford publication, edition- first in 2005

2. POLITICS OF INCLUSOION, Written by- Zoya Hasan, Published by- Oxford,

Edition- First published in 2009