NPTEL Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Society : Issues and Problems

Module 4 Casteism, Communalism, Regionalism and

Language Conflicts
Lecture 24
Communalism: Concept and Characteristics, Causes and Remedial
Measures
Communalism
Asghar Ali Engineer links communalism with the conflicts of the elites of communities.
Communalism is described as a tool of mobilize people for / against by raising an appeal
on communal lines.
Hussain Shaheen views that if a person is deprived of her/his rights or privileges just on
the basis of her/his community, this would constitute communalism.
Abdul Ahmed describes communalism as a social phenomenon characterized by the
religion of two communities, often leading to acrimony, tension and even riots between
them. In its latest manifestation, communalism amounts to discrimination against a
religious group in matters of employment, education, commerce, politics, etc.
Prabha Dixit explains communalism as a political doctrine which makes use of religious
and cultural differences to achieve political ends.
Pandav holds communalism as primarily an ideological theme which is appropriated by
the dominant as well as dominated class for reactionary and progressive reasons
respectively.
Bipan Chandra holds that communalism is the product of a particular society, economy
and polity, which divides people on the basis of religious and economic differences.
Thus, communalism is an ideological tool for propagation of economic and political
interests. It is an instrument in the hands of the upper class to concentrate power by
dividing people.

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NPTEL Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Society : Issues and Problems

Communalism as an ideology may be perceived as:

(a) A total commitment to a set of beliefs
(b) Far from rationality
(c) Committing of self to the community alone
(d) Unwillingness to accept other belief patterns and faiths
(e) Closing of self and being highly emotional to it, to the extent of crossing the
bounds of law at times
Characteristics of communalism
(a) Communalism is an ideological concept.
(b) It mostly rests on prejudices.
(c) It has a broader base which encompasses social, economic and political aspects
for its manifestations.
(d) It causes rivalry and violence among masses.
(e) It is used by the higher class people and elites as an instrument for division and
exploitation.
(f) It strikes at the roots of secularism and national integration.
Causes of communalism
(a) Design of the leaders
(b) Formation of political parties and organizations on the basis of religion
(c) Orthodoxy and obscurantism
(d) Organized and militant fundamentalist organizations
(e) Poor economic conditions
(f) Geographical causes
(g) Misrepresentation of historical evidences
(h) Psychological causes
(i) Failure of the government machinery
(j) Lack of strong and effective international relations
(k) Negative effect of mass media

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NPTEL Humanities and Social Sciences Indian Society : Issues and Problems

Remedial Measures
(a) Abolition of communal parties in our country
(b) Promotion of secular worldview
(c) Healthy public opinion
(d) Interreligious marriage

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