COMMUNALISM

It originated in British India. the role of British was instrumental in making this problem what
it is today.

WHAT IS COMMUNALISM
Communalism is an ideology for the purpose of political empowerment. The groups which
resort to communalism have the goal of gaining political power. Exercised by political
parties, pressure groups, etc.

The three phases of communalism. How communalism starts.

1. Communitarianism
This is community consciousness. The awareness of belonging to a particular community.
Being aware alone does not make us communal. In this phase, people still respect other
communities, recognising that essence of all communities is the same and retaining pluralistic
ideas. Primarily classified along religious lines, though ethnic differentiation also exists.
Communitarians believe religion is person. Something which cannot be imposed by one
person over another.

Some important thinkers who have subscribed to this ideology have been Raja Ram Mohan
Roy, Swami Vivekananda, etc. in whose writings, we never find any evidence of demeaning
ideas towards other communities. RSS has tried to portray Vivekananda’s writings as
communal propaganda. Though he spoke about Hindustan and Hinduism, he said all religions
are equal and have the same essence. Thus, he was a communitarian. Most reformers, in fact,
where communitarian. Same for Jinnah and Sayyed Ahmed Khan, who were communitarians
but later turned communalists. Most stalwarts of the INC during the freedom struggle, like
Gandhi and Nehru were communitarians.

2. Moderate Communalism
Where there are two communities, and one community believes that these communities are
distinct and are also very aware of their membership in one community. Yet, they believe
they can co-exist in society due to similar political-social and economic interest. The
common binding factor is nationalism.
Thinkers who fall within this category include Madan Mohan Malviya. He founded the Hindu
Mahasabha. This was the first significant communal organisation. He was a nationalist who
believed that the two communities had to fight together for the common goal. Also, Lala
Lajpat Rai.

3. Extreme Communalism
The modern ideas of communalism in India are extreme communalism. Such a person not
only has the awareness of his community and differentiation on this basis, but additionally,
that he cannot coexist with another community. Because the political interests are so
dissimilar that coexistence is impossible. The element of hatred is present. The us-and-them
syndrome. There is also a superiority complex, where they believe their community is
superior to that of others. It brings out the two-nation theory. The two nations need to be
formed and cannot exist together.

The propounders of the two-nation theory were not only the Muslim communalists like
Jinnah and Iqbal, but also Hindu communalists who nourished and fanned this idea. The
genesis of this idea, however, can be traced to Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan. The Muslim League,
Sangh Parivar, Shiv Sena, etc. are examples.

ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES

The basic ideology says that the interests of one community are very different that those of
others. How can such interests be so different? How can political, social, economic,
educational interests be different. Bipan Chandra says the very foundation, therefore is shaky.
You cannot differentiate between the vast majority of the interests of different communities.
There exists a vast difference between Muslims of Kerala and Muslims, say, of Kashmir.
They are ethnically and culturally very different. Thus, globally, ethnicity is considered to be
a more fundamental parameter of categorisation than religion. Only in India, this is very
significant. Even in India, in fact, we can see how religion was not that significant, in the
manner in which so many Muslims chose to remain in India during partition and that Pakistan
got further divided in 1971, despite being formed on religious lines. Only a few Muslims
from the educated class wanted the two-nation theory because they felt they could wield more
power than in Hindu majority undivided India. Otherwise, Muslims did not as a whole, want
two nations.
THEORETICAL ASPECT

1. State of Consciousness
Religious consciousness often turns into communal consciousness. During the Babri Masjid
movement, for example, two prominent serials, Ramayana and Mahabharata were being aired
on the two sole channels on TV. This led to a feeling of strong religious consciousness. But
this was converted into communal consciousness by various political forces. Something
similar happened during the Aligarh Movement. It began as a movement to promote
education of Muslim masses, which was later transformed into a communal movement for the
Muslims against Hindus. Arya Samaj, too did this. When they attempted to take Muslims
back into the Hindu fold.

This is the process of turning religious consciousness into religious consciousness.

2. Instrument of Power
The communal ideology is then used to empower a particular community.

IDENTITY POLITICS
Does being religious mean being communal? To what extent does religious result in
communalism?

Communal issues in South Asia are based on religion. Around the world, however, these
issues are usually cantered around ethnic differences.

Religion by itself is not responsible for communalism.

Identity Politics

Communally mobilised – Indian masses, by nature are neutral. However, when they’re
invoked for certain actions, they don’t apply their minds and run to solve the problem. After
the problem is solved, these people don’t retain their membership or affiliation with the
group. Only for particular causes. Largely neutral otherwise.

Communally convinced – Those people who are ideologically indoctrinated systematically.

They can go to any lengths for this ideology. Sangh Parivar. Left.

Usage of Symbols
Why do communal organisations use religious symbols? Lotus, Trishul, Dagger, etc. Because
it mobilises the masses. It appeals to the fundamental belief systems of masses. Additionally,
symbols create commitment for the cause.

Targets of Communal Mobilisation

Primarily, most of the people mobilised for religious vandalism are the band of unemployed
people. Often, people have underlying economic interests in joining communal organisations.
They look for economic security. Economically secure middle or upper-class people may
sympathise with the ideology, but on the ground do not participate. The main target is the
lower-middle class. The lower class is not a good target because it is always looking for basic
necessities.

Explanation for Occurrence of Riots

A number of scholars like Paul R Brass, Upendra Baxi, etc. have spoken about communal
violence in India. the real reason are not the immediate factors like eve-teasing, rape etc. a
number of deep seated factors are instrumental in this phenomenon. Brass has been in India
for quite a few years. He has analysed a number of riots etc.

1. Historical Factor
When Islam came to India, the conflict began there itself. Process of forced coversion began
in this period. Following Muslim invaders like Taimur, Mahmud Ghazni, Nadir Shah, wtc.
Came here not to settle down but to kill and plunder. This left a negative impression on the
mind of Hindus about Muslims.

Additionally, various Hidnu temples were destoyed during this period. Most Mughal rulers
were not involved in doing this. In fact, only Auragzeb is said to have done this. Otherwise,
from Babur to Shah Jahan were all liberal and acoomodating. To generalise this destruction
to all Muslim rulers has created a divide between the communities, though this has not been
true. During the Muslim period, Hindus were being conversted.

Finally, the British policy of divide and rule further separated the two communitiies in a very
fundamental way. Communal organisations and parties like Muslim League came up because
eof this. It led to the demand of Pakistan, and subsequent partition of British India.
 2. Psychological
A further divide has been created in the psyche of the people. There exists a perception
among Hindus that Muslims are butchers. This view has deeply seated in the Hindu
perspective. Seeing them as cow-killings. Similarly, Muslims in India have suffered from
persecution mania and a minority complex. They belive they’re in a perpetaual threat becuas
eof the Hindu minority. This has led to increased aggression. Leaders of Muslims, have in
fact, increased these fears. Owaisi, etc. have said Islam is in danger. Scholars have
emphasised the need for discarding this psychological output.

EPW had brought out an issue to address the perception in Hindus that Muslims procreate
profusely to ensure that they turn into the majority in India. the rate of growth of children in
Muslim families is higher because most belong to the lower class and lower middle class.
However, this is not an Islam thing. It’s a lower class thing. Even lower class Hindus have
same fertility rate. This is because the lower clss treies to increase the number of working
hands in the family. This is another myth.

3. Ethnic
The false belief that ethnically, the communities are different is a problem. Religious
differences cannot be linked to ethnic ideas. Ethnically, people are from the same ethnic
group exactly. Kerala example. Thus, this false belief is a problem. The us and them
syndrome. The only different is religious.

4. Humanistic/Gandhian Explanation
People resort to violence because they have not been ingrained with humanistic values in the
first place. if people are taught pluralism, etc., then this would not happen. This make sthem
g=fight amongst themselves. No humanistic, moralistic values. Monolithism.

5. Administration
Failure of the administration, bureaucracy, t=communal violence becomes possible.
Efficiency can nip the problem inn the bud. For example, Lalu’s rule in Bihar was marked
with a complete absence of communal violence. He had given strict orders than any such
inident would be followed woth rolling of heads. Thus, wjere there is a will, politically,
nothing can happen. In Muzzafarnagar – temple made on muslim cemetary. Administration
lamost always has know-how of the incident before it happens and has adequate resources to
check these. Not dealing with fucked up rumours etc. mil poisonined by Muslims rumour, for
example, in Ahmedabad riots.

6. Politics
Votebank politics, etc. are important factors. Rise of BJP was catalysed by this. 1984, 2002.
They not only not discourage, they encourage.

7. Economic
The economic explanation is that a simple land dispute, for example, or a fisheries dispute,
have also led to communal violence. Fishing rights in pond in Gujarat had led to this.
Immediate dispute. But this factor is a factor for any dispute. In fact, economics often makes
communal violence more difficult. Integrative role. Lucknow. Chikan industry. Symbiotic
relationship. No communal riots there between Hindus and Muslims.

Shortcomings: These explanations are genralistic rather than specific. Not explaning why
incidents on particular sights and new sights are emergeing.

RIOTS
Hotbeds – Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh, Meerut, Vadodara, Ahmedabad, Godhra, basically
Gujarat, Western UP. Coimbatore in the past few decades.

Guilty Man – Chapter in – Reinventing India – Ramjanmabhoomi.

Guha – Riots. Punjab Crisis – Bipan Chandra.

India got partitioned along communal lines. For 1.5 decades after independences,
communalism was not a problem. In post independent India, communalism started surfacing
only after. There was calm till then.

Reasons for the Rise of communalism.

This took place in the 1960s. what led to this?

1. Ideology
The communal ideology, both Hindu and Islamic communal groups started surfacing.
Increased politicisation and communalisation came about. In 1964, there was an Islamic
Organisation laid down called All India Majles e Mushavavat. This was a Lucknow based
umbrella organisation. The main aim was to unite all the Islamic organisations under it. The
idea was that they could together follow the ideals of Islam. These should work for the sake
of the community and the country in which they were residing. They took a nationalistic
approach and this was a welcome step. They also passed the resolution to remove all sorts of
communal elements and to bring harmony between different faiths.

When this convention was going on in Lucknow, this entire ideal was retold by another
fundamental pre-Independence Islamic organisation called Jamaat e Islami. Thus, they retold
the ideals and the original ideals could not take shape. This led to the beginning of the
communal politics.

In 1966, the Hindu Mahasabha also held its conventions in different parts of the country.
Hinduise politics and militarise the Hindus. This organisation believed that Muslims, Parsis,
etc. are merely guests in India. India was for Hindus. Thus, Muslims, etc. had to be
Hinduised. Hindutva as a term came up only after the rise of the BJP. Earlier, however,
Hinduise was used.

These two wings perpetuated communalism in Indian society.

2. 1965 War
We had a War with Pakistan which led to animosity against Muslims in India. the rise of
Indo-Pak sentiments led to an idea that Muslims in India were Pakistan sympathisers. On a
daily basis, when soldiers were dying, sentiments flared.

3. Economic Rivalry
Especially after 1970s, there was an increased demand for government jobs in particular and
jobs in general. Since a large part of the Muslim community remained illiterate, they realised
that they were losing out on jobs. Government posts were largely and disproportionately
dominated by Hindus. This led to an increase in the divide.

4. Administration and Police

A general disenchantment developed that they administration and the police were against the
minorities and pro-majority. They felt threatened that the institutions made to protect them
could actually go against them. All Muslims, Christian police officers, etc. in Bhagalpur riots,
for example, were asked to surrender weapons by the government itself.
 5. Black Money
In this time period, black money also increased in megacities. This was linked to underworld,
contract killings, extortion etc. Most of this black money had links to Middle East and the
Gulf. There was a belief that the idea was to communalise India. for example, the D
Company in Mumbai Riots.

6. Immediate Factor – Local Politics

In 1970s, INC was weakening, in part due to fissures within the party itself. Rise of regional
parties took place. these regional parties, in order to find a place in politics, they went for
identity politics, just to garner votes. One of the main ideas was communalising politics. Like
Jan Sangh and various Hindu and Muslim political parties.

Important Communal Riots

1. Ranchi, 1967
One of the earliest significant riots. A commission was formed to look into the reasons
behind this event. The Raghubar Dayal Commission released a report. Muslims in Ranchi
were roughly 20% of the population. There was an influx of Hindus from East Pakistan into
Ranchi. This movement of people was going on at the time. Earlier, tribal domination was
higher, but now Bengalis are in domination in the city. These refugees, due to persecution in
EP, had a strong Muslim bias. Their horror tales created an anti-Muslim ambience in the area.
The immediate cause, however, was a Bill that proposed to make Urdu the second official
language of the State of Bihar. This Bill was protested by Jan Sangh, BJP’s daddy.
Throughout Ranchi, various meetings were held by Jan Sangh and RSS. Muslims stoned
these meetings and this led to the riots.

Almost 194 people died in the riots over many days. INC’s CM Mahamaya Prasad. The RSS
activities have been termed by the Commission as the central reason behind the riots. The
inflammatory speeches and ideas being propagated.

2. Meerut, 1968
This place has always, and still remains, to be a hotbed of communal violence. Hindus were
64% and Muslims were 30% according to the 1961 census. Refugees made up 4% of the
population. These were the WP refugees. Wherever refugees came and settled down, those
areas are communal in nature – Paul R Brass’ observation. For example, Sri Ganganagar in
Rajasthan.

One of the Muslim organisations called Jamiat ullema e hind invited Sheikh Abdullah from
Kashmir to address a gathering. By this time Abdullah’s image, due to the 3-nation theory,
had become one of a traitor. RSS then began speaking out against SA. RSS also began a
Kashmir Bachao Andolan. RSS and Jan Sangh held a meeting nearby. SA was opposed and
criticised. After the meetings were over, the two groups clashed and resulted in riots.

Thus, the primary cause was the instigation of sentiments between two communal
organisations, JUEH and Jan Sangh.

3. Ahmedabad, 1969
Gujarat has always been a tinderbox. This was one of the earlier incidents. – MU- 15

RSS had organised a paramilitary camp. This is a usual practice. Teaching cadres how to use
different weapons like lathis etc. This camp, however, was used on a large scale, for anti-
muslim propaganda. This surcharged the atmosphere. There was a Muslim SubInspector of
Police. He had forced the authrotiy at Jagannath Temple in Ahmedabad to stop using
loudspeakers at night, and that he had kicked a copy of the Ramayana. The state government
suspended him and the RSS took out a victory procession in response. This procession was
stoned and bombed by Muslim miscreats. This led to riots.

Riots do not occur spontaneously, always, some background, immediate factors act as the
cause. Communal organisations.

4. Moradabad, 1980
Western UP has been another region. 55% Muslims, in majority. There was a clash between
Dalit Hindus and Muslims. This had not led directly to the riots, but it charged the
atmosphere up. The economic industry in Moradabad is Brass work. Exports to West Asia.
Most workers Muslims.

A pig incident took place. there is an Idgah Maidan in Moradabad. Id-ul-Fitre saw more than
1000 Muslims collect in the maidan to offer prayers. There was a large police presence. Any
large event sees some security cover. While the Nawaz was being offered, a pig started goin
towards the people. No one knows whether the pig was intentionally directed towards the
crowd. This angered the Muslims and they clahed with the police. Some policemen got
injured. The police reacted severly. On the first day it was confined to only these two parties.
But then turned into a Hindu-Muslim riot. More than 100 people died. There is a theory that
there was some foreign involvement, money, ISI, Pakistan etc. Another theory was that this
was all planned. But the counter is that if it had been planned, the Muslims would not have
brought their kids with them, as usual, ultimate sufferers were Muslims.

5. Bihar Sharif, 1981

Demographically – 48% Muslims. Bidi making and weaving are the main economic
activities. The Muslims form the lower and the lower middle class. They are the workers.

Incident – Yadav (milkmen) v. Muslims. The Yadavs made a temple on a Muslim graveyard,
after a land dispute. The DM summoned the leaders of both the communities. A date was
fixed to resolve the matter. The riots began before this. Over 200 people got killed over
multiple days. The DM was suspended. He was found to have harboured an anti-Muslim bias.
When the temple was being constructed, Yadavs were backed by the RSS which made this
happen.

This was a very large scale riot.

6. Bhagalpur, 1989
One of the worst riots India has ever seen. Almost 1000 people got killed. Of these, 900 were
Muslims. This is an official figure. 1070. Actual might be much much larger, about 50,000
people got dicplaced. Economically, territorially etc. 99% of those displaced were the
Muslims. The background was the Ramjanmabhoomi issue.

In order to contruct a temple in Ayodhya. There were rumours that several hundred Hindu
students had been abducted and killed by the Muslims. This remained rumour, never
confirmed. But it did surcharge the atmosphere. the VHP organised a Ram Shila Procession,
asked people all over India to bring bricks to make the temple. This had to pass through
anumber of localities in Muslim areas. Whenever a Muslim area was approached, provocative
slogans were chanted like Hinu, Hindu, Hinduatna, Mulle Bhaago Pakistan. Muslims in
return also got aggressive.

The District Administration, stopped the procession, speakingto Muslim leaders to allow the
procession to pass. A Muslim school nearby – bombs were thrown by here – crude moms –
injured some people. The procession turned into a mob. But Muslims also started firing. So
these people retreated.

The Hindus then came back in large numbers 8000. Slecetively they started targeting Muslim
localities and polishing people of. Massacre. Ghost towns. Logain – mass grave. Cauliflower.

Bihar CM was SN Singh. INC. Commission appointed – 3 members. CP Sinha and Shamshur
Hassan – Inquiry commissions. Report submitted in 1995. The DM was blamed for having
antimuslim bias. The DM had been suspended immediately after the incident.

SN Sinha was replaced by Jagananth Mishra. He had a bettern impression amongs the
Muslims in Inc in Bihar. Almost 140 FIRs were filed in the riots. Several people were
charged, tried, and awarded life imprisonment. But many culpits remained scot free, the
perpetrators were never brought to justice. Lalu – being a Yadav – also did not punish. Nitish
Kumar set up the NN Singh Inquiry Commission in 2005. This led to several files and ases
being opened up again. He submitted his opinion in 2015. 1000 pages. Blame – INC
government but also several people who had gone scot free were convicted and sentenced.
The media sort of hailed justice being served out.

Background and immediate cause – admin, communal organisation etc. focus on this,
therqise a lot of riots. Babri Msjid time at least.