Q.‘Communalism arises either due to power struggle or relative deprivation’. Argue by giving suitable illustrations.Elucidate.

graph TD
    Communalism["Communalism in India"] --> HistoricalDivisions["Historical Divisions"]
    Communalism --> PoliticalMobilization["Political Mobilization"]
    Communalism --> SocialEconomicInequality["Social & Economic Inequality"]
    Communalism --> LackOfEducation["Lack of Education & Awareness"]
    Communalism --> ProvocativeMedia["Provocative Media & Misinformation"]

Body

Communalism Due to Power Struggles

• Political Mobilization and Electoral Gains: Political actors often weaponize religious identities to consolidate vote banks and secure electoral victories, leading to communal polarization.
  • Example: The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute in Ayodhya is a prominent example where religious sentiments were politically mobilized, culminating in widespread communal violence in 1992 and subsequent electoral realignments.
• Assertion of Dominance by Majoritarian Groups: In areas where one community holds a demographic majority, political and social power struggles can lead to attempts to dominate minority groups, sparking conflict.
  • Example: The 2002 Gujarat riots, triggered by the Godhra train burning, escalated into widespread violence, reflecting a deep-seated struggle for dominance and security between the majority and minority communities.
• Historical Legacy of Divide and Rule: The British colonial administration systematically institutionalized communal divisions to weaken the nationalist movement and maintain political control.
  • Example: The Partition of India in 1947, which led to unprecedented communal carnage, was the tragic culmination of decades of colonial policies that favored certain communities to balance power.

Communalism Due to Relative Deprivation

• Economic Disparities and Marginalization: Relative deprivation occurs when a community perceives itself as economically or socially disadvantaged compared to another, fostering deep resentment and frustration.
  • Example: The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh were partly fueled by shifting economic dynamics and perceived disparities between Hindu Jat landowners and Muslim agricultural laborers, creating a volatile environment.
• Lack of Access to Resources and Opportunities: When a group feels systematically excluded from state resources, employment, or educational opportunities, it often blames other communities, leading to communal friction.
  • Example: In Assam, the perceived economic and political marginalization of the indigenous Assamese population relative to Bengali-speaking migrants has historically fueled severe communal and ethnic tensions.
• Identity Crisis and Cultural Threat: A community's fear of losing its cultural identity or political relevance due to the perceived dominance of another group can trigger defensive communalism.
  • Example: The anti-Sikh riots of 1984, while triggered by the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, were also rooted in a broader sense of political and cultural alienation felt by the Sikh community in Punjab during the preceding decade.