Different Forms of Communal Politics

Communal politics refers to political activities that are based on the interests and needs of a particular religious or ethnic community. It can take various forms, some of which are discussed below:

1. Communalism based on Religion

This form of communalism is based on religious differences. It can be seen when a particular religious group tries to gain power by promoting their own religion and suppressing others. This can lead to communal tension and violence. For example, the Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya in 1992 led to communal riots across India.

2. Communalism based on Language

This form of communalism is based on linguistic differences. It can be seen when a particular linguistic group tries to gain power by promoting their own language and suppressing others. This can lead to linguistic tension and violence. For example, the demand for a separate state of Telangana in India was based on linguistic differences.

3. Communalism based on Caste

This form of communalism is based on caste differences. It can be seen when a particular caste group tries to gain power by promoting their own caste and suppressing others. This can lead to caste tension and violence. For example, the Dalit protests in India against the discrimination and oppression of the lower castes.

4. Communalism based on Ethnicity

This form of communalism is based on ethnic differences. It can be seen when a particular ethnic group tries to gain power by promoting their own ethnicity and suppressing others. This can lead to ethnic tension and violence. For example, the Rwandan genocide in 1994 was based on ethnic differences between the Hutus and Tutsis.

5. Communalism based on Regionalism

This form of communalism is based on regional differences. It can be seen when a particular region tries to gain power by promoting their own region and suppressing others. This can lead to regional tension and violence. For example, the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland in India was based on regional differences.

Conclusion

Communal politics can be destructive and can lead to violence and conflict. It is important to promote harmony and unity among different communities for the development of a country. People should value diversity and recognize that every community has its unique contribution to make.

Different forms of communal politics are as follows:
a) The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. Belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions are so common.

E.g.: Militant religious groups

b) A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of religious community. For those belonging to community it can take them for of a desire to form a separate political unit.

E.g.: Separatist leaders and political parties in Jammu and Kashmir

c) The most frequent form of communalism is political mobilization on the religious guidelines. It attempts to bring the people of one’s religion together.

E.g.: Many politicians use this technique to influence the voters from the two largest religious communities in the country.

d) Communalism can be ugliest if it takes the shape of communal violence, riots and massacre.

E.g.: India and Pakistan communal riots