Communalism is an ideology that uses social traditions to politically mobilize a community or social group. In India, it mainly focuses on religious differences, as seen in the colonial period when British rulers emphasized these contrasts for their advantage. Communalism seeks to fulfil the social, economic, and political hopes of a community and becomes active during times of social change.
It assumes great unity within a community, although internal conflicts often exist. Proponents of communalism interpret history in a way that emphasizes a community’s common sufferings and goals, pushing for the community to fight for its rights. After India’s independence, economic modernization led to increased competition for jobs among different communities, which further fueled communal tensions.
Communalism is used by elites and political parties as a tool to divide and exploit people. It disrupts democracy, secularism, and national integration, leading to rivalry, violence, and tension. It is closely linked to incidents of communal violence, which often overlap with terrorism, where mob killings and militant attacks occur.
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