Rise And Growth Of Communalism In India: Its Consequences

Abstract

India is a multi-religious country.There are eight major communities coexist in this country. Communalism in a board sense means strong attachment to one’s own community. In Indian context, it means unhealthy attachment to ones own religion.Religious differences between groups often leads to tensions & rioting among them. Communalism essentially leads to violence as it is based on mutual religious hatred. Communalism as a political philosophy has its roots in the religious and cultural diversity of India.Its has been used as a political propaganda tool to create divide, differences and tensions between the communities on the basis of religious and ethnic identity leading to communal hatred and violence. communalism has been a significant challenge since the country’s independence in 1947. Adherence or attachment to religion or a religious system is not communalism. But using a religious communities against other communities or against the nation is communalism.It is the  enemy to progress , social change & democracy. Fundamentalist tendencies in religion give rise to communal tensions. Jawaharlal Nehru once described “Communalism is the Indian version of facism”.This Article tries to explain the causes for the rise &growth of communalism , its consequences in India.