Communalism: Detailed Sociological Analysis

(Relevant for Sociology Optional for Civil Services Examination)

Paper 1: Religion and Society

Paper 2: Unit 13- Social Changes in India, Challenges of Social Transformation

(Reference: The Hindu)

Context

The poster of a movie called Razakar — Silent Genocide of Hyderabad, released in July, showed a young man with a religious tuft being impaled by a bayonet.

Communalism

• Communalism refers to the belief in the superiority of one’s own religious community, often leading to conflicts and violence between different religious groups.
• It can also encompass political ideologies that promote this belief, emphasizing the interests of a specific religious community over the broader society.
• Historical Context of Communalism: Communalism in India has historical roots, with British colonial policies exacerbating religious divisions through “divide and rule” strategies, resulting in tensions among different communities. This laid the foundation for communalism to take hold in the modern era.

SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF COMMUNALISM AND ROLE OF MEDIA IN SPREADIND COMMUNALISM Basic analysis of communalism According to Seth communalism it signifies inter communal rivalries and social tension, economic, political or cultural differences of the rulers and the ruled. It is an ideology which determines the gradual evolution of relationships between two communities both within and without their respective folds. Sabrewal argues that communalism as a concept emerged due to the fact that members of a multireligious society had to witness and confront the behavioral pattern practiced by specific community per se. Clifford Geertz: religious contrasts signify the communalism in India. In Malaya it is racial overtones and in Congo it is related to tribal contrasts. Ram Ahuja: in communal violence, the involvement of people is mobilized against another community. Then movements here are unpredictable, unchecked and carry on emotional furry and violent expressions which take the form of rioting. T.N. MADAN : he highlights following typologies: Assimilationist (or Communist) Communalism: This form involves smaller religious groups assimilating into larger ones. For example, scheduled tribes, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists may come to identify as Hindus and seek coverage under the same personal laws, such as the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Welfarist Communalism: This variant emphasizes the well-being of a specific community. It encompasses services like education, financial aid for higher studies, assistance in marriages, skill development, and housing. For instance, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board directs efforts towards the betterment of Muslims. Retreatist Communalism: Manifesting in small religious communities, this type involves detachment from political activities. An illustration is the Bahai religious community, which refrains from engaging in political matters. Retaliatory Communalism: In this scenario, individuals from one religious community seek to harm or injure members of other religious groups. The Godhra Riots exemplify this type. Separatist Communalism: Here, a religious community strives to maintain its distinct cultural identity and calls for a separate territorial entity within the country. An instance is the demand for Gorkhaland by the Gorkhas. Secessionist Communalism: In this variant, a religious community seeks an autonomous political identity and insists on an independent state. A case in point is the demand for Khalistan, an autonomous nation for Sikhs. Andre Beteille comments that people of India are bound more by culture than by constitution. Religion In India is not just practiced, but it is a part of dress, food and mannerism of people. TN Madan ‘religion and secular cannot be separated, in other words, religion cannot be in any meaningful sense privatised’. Sudhir Kakkar argues that more the modernity more the communal tensions. 2. Role of media in spreading Communalism from sociological prespective Film as a tool for propaganda: Jurgen Habermas highlights that the public associations, clubs, public gatherings and later on print media which included newspapers, novels, textbooks, etc., have all helped many ideas to spread. Media, in both its traditional and newer forms can be used as a tool to  spread communal  ideologies and ideas to spread. Films as a tool of socialisation: films acts as significant symbols to generate meanings and orientation and help in shaping the identities. In this context movies acts as tool for socialization and helps in shaping ‘self’. From conflict perspective: Films that stoke communal tensions can often depict conflicts between different social groups, such as religious or ethnic communities. It heightens the difference between communities.  films that portray certain religious or ethnic groups in a negative light may contribute to the formation of prejudiced attitudes and beliefs Dominant Social And Political Discourses: Dixit argues that communalism is a political doctrine which makes use of religio-cultural differences to achieve political ends Films that stoke communal tensions may be a product of institutionalization, as they cater to certain audience demands or reflect dominant social and political discourses. This can create false consciousness of deprivation and communal hatred for vote bank politics.

Reasons behind Communalism

1. Divisive Politics: Political parties exploit religious and cultural differences for their own gains, further polarizing communities for electoral purposes.
2. Economic Factors: Socio-economic disparities, unemployment, and poverty create an environment conducive to communal tensions, as different groups compete for limited resources.
3. Historical Injustices: Communal ideologies can emerge from perceived historical grievances and injustices.
4. Media Influence: Irresponsible media coverage, sensationalism, and spread of misinformation through social media contribute to the escalation of communal tensions.
5. Religious Revivalism: Revivalist movements within religious communities can promote exclusivism and foster communal ideologies.

Impact of Communalism:

1. Violence and Conflict: Communalism often leads to violent clashes between religious groups, resulting in loss of life and property.
2. Social Fragmentation: Communalism fractures social cohesion and undermines the pluralistic fabric of Indian society.
3. Economic Disruption: Communal violence disrupts economic activities, affecting livelihoods and development.
4. Political Instability: Communal tensions can destabilize governance, hindering social progress and policy implementation.

Solutions to Address Communalism:

1. Educational Reforms: Introduce value-based education that promotes secularism, tolerance, and interfaith understanding.
2. Swift Justice: Ensure speedy trials for communal violence cases and fair compensation for victims.
3. Community Engagement: Encourage civil society initiatives that foster communal harmony, dialogue, and cultural exchange.
4. Political Accountability: Hold political leaders accountable for divisive rhetoric and actions that fuel communal tensions.
5. Media Responsibility: Regulate media to prevent the spread of hate speech and misinformation that fuels communalism.
6. Economic Empowerment: Address socio-economic disparities through inclusive policies to reduce competition for resources.
7. Historical Awareness: Foster a balanced understanding of history to prevent the distortion of past events for communal agendas.
8. Government Initiatives: Strengthen organizations like the National Foundation for Communal Harmony (NFCH) to promote communal harmony and support victims of communal violence.

By adopting a multi-pronged approach that combines educational reforms, legal accountability, community engagement, and socio-economic development, India can effectively combat communalism and work towards a more harmonious and inclusive society.

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