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Issues in Indian Political

Economy
COMMUNALISM
FYBSc; SSE
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Defining Communalism
Communalism- intervening in politics to
protect the interests of a particular
community; In India communalism is referred
in context of inter-religious conflict
Communalism is an ideology based on the
belief that Indian society is divided into
religious communities, whose economic,
social and cultural interests diverge are even
hostile to each other because of their
religious differences

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Defining Communalism
It is a belief system through which a society,
economy and polity are viewed and
explained; and around which politics is
organised. As an ideology it is similar to
racism, fascism
Involves conversion of religious community
into political community
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Features of Communalism as an Ideology
Communalism tries to create a cohesive,
homogenous community
Homogenisation involves each community
developing its own perspective about the
history
Homogenisation also involves accepting or
discarding certain traditions
Existence of the other is actively cultivated
as a symbol of hatred
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Features.
Communal politics seeks to identify a person
with reference to only religious identity, it
seeks to eliminate other identities;
homogenous identity is used for political
purpose; religious identities are played up
Violence is legitimised and justified
Impose a model cultural dominance
e.g. Opposing Valentines Day; Books and
Films


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Features.
Communal Violence and Communal Ideology
Communal ideology involves spread of
communal thoughts and ideas
Communal violence occurs when communal
ideology reaches its peak, when insecurities
and fears intensify
Ideology can exist without violence, hence it
often gets ignored

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Communalism and Democracy

Communalism has no faith in democracy; it is
critical of democracy
But communalism has an instrumental view
of democracy; it is used to participate in
politics. Democracy provides the space for
all kind of ideologies to exist including
communalism. Hence democracy has to be
constantly safeguarded and nurtured
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Communalism: a reaction to Modernity?
Modernisation: a process which upholds
new, secular identities like nationality,
citizenship, consumer or global citizen.
Traditional identities based on religion, caste
and language are no longer important
Modernity emphasises on democracy, mass
politics; here communalism uses religion to
mobilise people
Advanced Capitalist Society; growing
insecurities
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Causes of Communalism.
Social Transitions
Various social institutions are breaking down-
neighbourhood, social clubs and other non-
religious associations are weakening
Political Parties have failed to act as bodies
that provide people direction and cohesion
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Causes of Communalism in India
The Economic Realm
Communalism has social and economic
roots; various social strains have been
created due to the pattern of economic
development
Post-1947- economic growth has occurred
but problems of inequality, unemployment
and deprivation remain
Middle class, the urban poor and the petty
bourgeoisie- groups most vulnerable to
communalism
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Muslim Communalism
After independence, the leaders of Muslim
League in India either joined the Congress or
quit politics; only in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
ML organised as Indian Union Muslim
League
Till 1960s Muslims mostly voted for the
Congress, but then their role as vote-bank
got fractured
Pre-independence- Muslim League
leadership comprised of educated middle-
class and intelligentsia
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Muslim Communalism.
Post independence, the leadership passed
onto conservative element. Hence post-1947
Muslim demands have been religious and
symbolic
Muslim Personal Law, Shah Bano case; role
of the Shahi Imam in Muslim politics
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Hindu Communalism
Hindutva- is a form of Hindu cultural nationalism; it is
political philosophy of the Hindu Right Wing
V.D. Savarkar spoke about pitrubhumi (fatherland)
and punyabhumi (holy land)
Assimilationism- try to reconvert all non-Hindu to
the Hindu fold; Savarkar spoke about ending the
caste system- not for reform purpose but to identify
the dalits as Hindus. Similarly they referred Sikhism,
Buddhism and Jains as sects of Hinduism
On same grounds tribals are claimed to be Hindus.
Prefer to use the term Vanvasi rather than Adivasi
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Hindu Communalism post-1990s
Babri Masjid and the 2002 Gujarat riots- defining
moments of Hindu Communalism
More public mobilisation; violence was no longer
used as retaliation, but now was actively initiated,
used as tool
Use of CDs, Internet
Women being recruited- Durga Vahini, active
involvement during the Gujarat riots
Hindus mobilised as political actors and not as
believers
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Conclusion
There is a need to rethink the nature of
secularism in India
Instead to being imposed from above/by the
state; secularism should emerge from below;
it should emerge from a dialogue among
various communities
Idea of religious tolerance
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Readings:
Chapter 35 Revival and Growth of
Communalism; in India Since
Independence; Penguin, 2007
Extra reading:
Chapter 2 Politics of Hindutva and the
Minorities; in Power and Contestation-
India since 1989; Nivedita Menon and
Aditya Nigam; Orient Longman, 2008