In this article, we will discuss the definition of communalism and its various dimensions. Alongside, we will also discuss the many factors contributing to communal conflict and violence. And the ways through which we can combat communal violence.
Communalism is an ideology that one particular religion and its practices are superior to that of other groups. Communalism stems from a religious fundamentalist belief that one's own religion is the only true faith. Some define communalism as a tool to gain political benefits in a state where diverse religions are present.
Whatever the definition is, we can all agree that communalism is a social menace. It is exceptionally divisive, leads to tensions and active hostility, and threatens national integrity.
Dimensions of Communalism
There are six dimensions (aspects or features) of communalism, as given by T. K. Ooman, an Indian sociologist. The dimensions are:
1.Assimilationist Dimension
In this dimension, either a single small religious group assimilates into a larger religious group, or several small religious groups integrate into one huge religious group.
2.Welfarist Dimension
Here, people work for the welfare or betterment of a particular community, maybe even to the point of damage to other communities.
3.Retreatist Dimension
In this dimension of communalism, a community forces its members to either take part in politics. Or to completely abstain from it.
4.Retaliatory Dimension
Here, people of one community harm or injure the people of another community in the name of rivalry or retaliation.
5.Separatist Dimension
In this dimension, there is either a demand for a completely new separate identity. Or there is a demand for separation from a larger group.
6.Secessionist Dimension
Here, usually, a group of people demands secession from a state or a nation to have their own political identity.
Factors Contributing to Communal Conflict
Several factors contribute to communal conflicts. Some of them are-
1.Rise of Communal organizations:
Several organizations establish themselves on religious grounds. They claim to only desire to propagate and promote their religion through various cultural activities. And this seems okay until you realize that these organizations have worsened the problem of communal politics.
2.Religious Fundamentalism
As said earlier, communalism arises from a religious fundamentalist belief that one's religion is the only true faith and is superior to that of all others. The various religious leaders exploit this belief to their advantage through very provocative speeches. The devotees, now misguided, often get caught up in religious fervor and end up acting accordingly, sometimes even violently.
3.Religious Conversions
Religious conversions, as an issue, are immensely sensitive. No sooner are they brought up than every community points fingers at each other. These conversions happen under the guise of offering food, shelter, etc., to the poor. And this has led to extreme mistrust of communities among one another.
4.The Politicization of Local Problems
Where there is diversity, there are going to be problems. So there are going to be some local issues involving different communities sometimes. The best thing to do here is to get them resolved by local authorities. But some people blow up these issues and even give political dimensions, which often lead to communal riots. The best example of this is the Malegaon and Bhiwandi riot.
5.External Threats
The concern with having extremists in a community is that it takes little effort to sway them towards using violence. And external agencies that want to cause unrest in civil nations reap benefits off of this concern. They often seek the needed people out, train them, and provide them with weapons to undertake terrorist activities.
Steps to Combat Communal Violence
Here are a few ways through which we as a society can combat communal violence.
1.Education-
Schools and higher educational institutions can start promoting national values and communal harmony in everything they do. Teachers can incorporate this into their lessons too. They can even motivate students to conduct community programs involving their parents, neighbors, and others to promote secularism, nationalism, cooperation, and tolerance.
2.Media-
The media should take extra care while dealing with any news that might contain communal elements. It should step up to its responsibility and avoid delivering News in a manner that will further encourage violence.
3.Ban on Communal Political Parties-
The election commission and the judiciary should de-recognize the political parties with direct or indirect connections with communal forces. These political parties should not be allowed to play with the religious sentiments of the public and exploit them for their political gains.
4.Public Awareness-
NGOs and large-scale public campaigns by the media can raise public awareness about the harmful effects of communalism. They could also try drawing the attention of the public to more pressing national and global problems. And also help them know about the ill consequences of riots and destruction based on religious intolerance.
5.Security-
Security for one’s self and everybody else is an essential feature of democracy. Hence, in a democratic country, equal treatment of all communities becomes necessary too. Active care to ensure that the people belonging to smaller communities do not feel isolated is just one step in that direction.
Conclusion
We have seen the devastating effects that communalism has above. It provokes hostility, leads to loss of property and innocent lives, and threatens the very basis of progress. It invokes mistrust, miscommunication, and faulty judgments. It leaves such deep wounds on the psyche of the people that it has led to the building of stereotypes and racial profiling.
We can see communalism happening in almost every country, from the most democratic ones to the ones that are ruled on the foundation of religion itself. Dealing with communalism effectively in both such countries is crucial. Hopefully, if we try hard enough, we might just be able to do it.
Written By - Chandana.C .K
Edited By - Nidhi Verma
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