Question- What forms can communalism take in politics?

Answer -

Communalism can take many forms in Politics

The most common manifestation of communalism is seen in everyday life. These include religious prejudices, beliefs about religious communities, and beliefs that one religion is superior to another. These things are so common that often we do not even pay attention to them while they are sitting inside us.

Communal thinking often seeks to establish political dominance of its religious community. People who belong to the majority community, this effort of them takes the form of majoritarianism. This belief in them takes the form of a desire to form a separate political entity.

Political mobilization on communal lines is another form of communalism. The use of sacred symbols of religion, religious leaders, emotional appeals and methods of instilling fear in one’s own people is very common. Methods such as raising the sentiments or interests of voters of one religion are often adopted in electoral politics.

At times, communalism takes its worst form and leads to violence, riots and massacres on the basis of sect. At the time of partition, there were horrific communal riots in India and Pakistan. Large scale communal violence has taken place even after independence.

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