3.2.1. Communalism

The problem begins when religion is seen as the basis of the nation. The example of Northern Ireland in Chapter 3 shows the dangers of such an approach to nationalism. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions, when the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.

Communalism occurs when religion is used as a primary identity to influence national belonging. This can lead to conflicts when one religion claims dominance or superiority over others. The example of Northern Ireland illustrates how religious differences can escalate into conflict, and a similar scenario can arise when political systems favor one religious group over another, which is a key characteristic of communal politics.

Think of two neighboring countries where each believes their own religion should dictate their national values. Just like two teams that refuse to compete fairly because they each believe their way is the only right way, such competition can lead to disputes and violence, exemplifying how communalism can disrupt peace.

Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. Communalism involves thinking along the following lines. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life. It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community.

Communalism reduces diverse followers of a particular religion to a singular identity, assuming that they all share the same beliefs and interests. This perspective ignores significant internal differences and perspectives within the community while also ostracizing those from different religions, suggesting they cannot coexist peacefully.

Imagine a sports team where each player is unique with different skills and personality. If the coach decides to ignore this diversity, focusing only on the uniform and not the individual strengths, the team may perform poorly. Likewise, communalism fails to acknowledge the variety within religious communities, weakening societal cohesion and cooperation.

Communalism can take various forms in politics: the most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs, leading to religious prejudices and stereotypes. A communal mind often seeks political dominance of its own religious community, which can manifest as majoritarian dominance or a desire for separate political units for minorities.

Communalism can manifest in daily interactions and beliefs about superiority, leading to discrimination. Those from majority religions may push for dominance, while minorities may seek protection or separation. Political mobilization on religious lines is another common occurrence, where parties appeal specifically to religious sentiments for electoral gains.

Consider a neighborhood where one cultural group dominates the local council. If this council begins to favor policies that only benefit their community, it mirrors majoritarian dominance. Similarly, a minority group could call for a separate district to ensure their needs are met, indicating a response to feeling politically marginalized.

This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Communalism oversimplifies people’s identities, ignoring the various roles and individual interests they may have. It promotes majority narratives while sidelining dissenting opinions, leading to intolerance and conflict within and between communities.

Think about a family gathering where everyone is expected to think the same way. Someone might have a different opinion about a holiday or meal, but if the family focuses only on a few loud voices, many other preferences and desires get lost, leading to resentment and discontent.

Communalism should not be seen as a threat to some people in India. It threatens the very idea of India. That is why communalism needs to be combated. A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda need to be countered in everyday life and religion-based mobilization needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

The fight against communalism is essential for national unity and peace. A secular constitution promotes equality, but true harmony requires active efforts to challenge communal narratives and suppress religious divides that can lead to violent conflicts.

It's like maintaining a garden. A diverse garden thrives on varied plants, but if weeds (like communalism) are allowed to grow unchecked, they can choke out the diversity. Regular weeding (active opposition to communalism) is necessary to keep the garden flourishing with its rich variety.

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