Question

What are the features of communalism?

Explain any five features of communalism.

Answer 1

1. Communalism emerges in a diverse society as a result of social interactions between various religious groups. While living side by side and sharing the same sociopolitical area, people may confront competition for the rights and facilities provided in that place. This creates a conflict of interests, and in order to resolve it, a politicized process begins.
2. In the majority of cases, communalism results in bloodshed, rioting, and war. As violence breaks out, people become fanatics, often for no other reason than to be involved in something thrilling. Communal tensions cause people to lose faith in one another, negatively impact social interdependence, and cause misunderstanding.
3. Communal tensions are either government-sponsored or caused by the government's weakness or inability to act. It is impossible for governments to be fully unaware of or unaffected by religious strains in their societies. Communism can never be separated from the larger society. Communalism is typically driven by the opportunistic political and economic interests of competing groups and factions within a political party or by political parties.
4. Communalism has the ability to rally large numbers of people behind radical campaigns. These instill in them a deep belief in their collective identity, and they may be willing to give their life as well as the lives of others. Thus, the democratic spirit might be completely shattered, allowing an alternative to acquire traction.

Answer 2

1. Religious Identity as Primary: It operates on the idea that members of the same religion have fundamental interests (political, social, and economic) that are different from those of members of other religious organisations.
2. Mutual Antagonism: It frequently observes many religious groups as aggressive or incompatible. One group’s interests are perceived as fundamentally opposed to or dangerous to those of another.
3. Political Mobilisation: Communalism typically involves politicians using religious symbols, sacred texts, or emotional appeals to bring a community together for political gain or to create a “vote bank”.
4. Desire for Dominance: In its extreme form, communalism leads to the conviction that one’s own religion is superior. This frequently manifests as a desire for the majority community to dominate the state, or for a minority community to seek its own political unit.
5. Exclusionary Nature: It fosters a “we versus they” mentality. This societal polarisation can lead to the marginalisation of secular norms and, in severe circumstances, communal violence, rioting, or ethnic cleansing.