THE CLASS STARTED WITH A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PREVIOUS TOPICS (04:18 PM)

COMMUNALISM (04:19 PM)

• It is defined as an ideology according to which society is divided into different religious communities having different secular (Socio-political-economic) interests.
• In a broad sense, it means a strong attachment to one's community.
• The positive aspect of communalism is that it stands for the affinity of an individual towards own community which will ensure socio-political and economic upliftment.
• However, In a negative sense, It can be referred to as an ideology that emphasises separate identities of religious groups.
• A man of religion is not communal but one who practices politics by linking it with religion is communal.
• 'Political trade in Religion'
• Three Manifestations of Communalism:
• Mild: People belonging to the same religious community have the same secular interests.
• Moderate: People who belong to different religious communities have different secular interests.
• Extreme: Not only different interests but mutually hostile interests. (Application of Zero-sum Game Theory of Power)
• Types of Communalism:
• 1) Assimilationists Communalism:
• When the dominant religion brings small religious groups within its fold it is referred to as 'Assimilationist communalism'
• For Example: Referring to tribals as 'Backward Hindus' by G.S. Ghurye or the Hindu Code Bill being applied to Jains, Buddhists, Sikhs, etc.
• 2) Welfarist Communalism:
• When religious groups focused on the welfare of their community by providing education, scholarships, residential accommodation, etc.
• 3) Retreatist Communalism:
• Religious communities keep themselves away from political activities.
• For Example, Baha'i Community members are forbidden from participating in political aspects.
• The above 3 types of Communalism is not a threat to national integration.
• 4) Retaliatory Communalism:
• This is a type of communalism where religious groups act as mutually hostile groups.
• Looking to harm each other.
• eg, Communal violence in India.
• 5) Separatist Communalism:
• When the demand for autonomy is based on religion, however, the demand is to remain within the Indian union.
• For Example, separate Punjab State.
• 6) Seccessionist Communalism:
• When there is a demand for a separate nation on religious lines, It threatens the territorial integrity of India.
• Example, Demand for Khalistan.
• The Last three types of Communalism are threats to nationalism.
• Evolution of Communalism:
• Although Bickering started before the arrival of Britishers for Example, the destruction of temples, the imposition of taxes on religious practices, etc. it will be the British period which was responsible for the growth of communalism in India.
• Factors for the evolution of communalism:
• Agricultural distress.
• Lack of emergence of modern industries.
• Middle-class aspirations were not satisfied due to discrepancies in demand and supply with respect to jobs.
• Nepotism and groupism.
• These short-term benefits provided validation to communal politics.
• The socio-economic reality of India was such that class distinctions coincided with religious differences.
• eg. Zamindar (Belong to 'x' community) --> Peasants (Belong to 'y' community)
• Hence, rather than viewing the dispute from the prism of economic issues it was seen from the lens of religious differences.
• Power struggle between Western Punjab and Eastern Bengal. like, 'X' Zamindars vs 'Y' Jotedar.
• In Conclusion, Not always communalism is due to the struggle between have's and have-nots.
• It is also due to a power struggle between the elites.
• It was the result of the 'Divide and Rule policy' of the Britishers.
• This policy was brought to counter growing nationalism and hence communalism became the main prop (tool) of colonialism.
• For Example, Separate electorate, Partition of Bengal, Patronage to communal media, Late response to incidences of communal violence.
• Overthrowing of colonial rule was the necessary condition to tackle communalism but not sufficient.
• Leadership failed to unify different sections of society, as they indulged in negotiations with religious leaders without making any direct appeal to the masses.
• There was an implicit acceptance among the people that they only share political and economic interests but socially and culturally they are different.
• Giving a religious touch to national agenda or glorification for certain periods of history generated apprehensions among the educated people of the religious groups and their alienation from the freedom struggle.
• Post-Independence period developments:
• Lack of cultural integration -> Stereotypes -> Prejudices -> Emotion of hate and anger -> Violent manifestation -> Survival technique of invisibility -> Ghettoization.
• Divisive Politics:
• Some politicians use religion to achieve political gains.
• For Example, Manipulation by the political leadership for the vote bank or selection of candidates based on the religious composition of the constituency.
• It is also referred to as the "communalization of Politics"
• Politics of Appeasement:
• For Example, Overturning of Shah Bano Verdict to appease the minority group.
• Psychological factors:
• Lack of trust and understanding among people of different religious groups.
• It is further aggravated by Media which is often criticised for the sensationalisation of trivial news and trivialisation of important news.
• Media is also blamed for spreading the 'rumours' as 'News', 
• The 'Eco-chamber effect' of social media has further worsened the situation.
• Administrative failure to tackle the situation of communal violence:
• Socio-economic disparity among the religious community provides fodder for communal politics.

RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM (05:55 PM)

• According to Gabriel Almond, It is defined as a violent offshoot of communalism i.e. Visible pattern of religious militancy, by which self-styled true believers try to arrest the erosion of religious identity.
• Rationale:
• Due to Modernization and secularisation, the world around us has changed so much that it is becoming difficult to preserve, and promote our religious identities.
• The Sufficient condition for the emergence of Religious Fundamentalism:
• Ideological Cohesion (Single Sacred Text)
• Charismatic leadership.
• Information and communication technology.
• Anti-social groups/organizations which radicalize people and disrupt democracy.
• As a reaction to the emergence of secular education.
• Way Forward:

• Short-term:	Long-term:
  We can use an 'innovative diffusion framework' and persuade religious leaders to establish peace and ensure people don't indulge in violence.	Eradicating the problems of poverty, illiteracy and unemployment.
  Temporary suspension of the Internet to prevent the spread of emotionally charged and divisive content.	Value-based education without any ideological colouration.
  Flag March to show the might of law enforcement bodies.	Responsible and restrained journalism.
  Prevent association and assembly of groups of people.	Reforms in the criminal justice system, for example, Speedy trials through Fast Track courts, Adequate compensation, etc.
  To prevent diffusion of responsibility, immediate installation of functional CCTV cameras.	In the long term, banning communal outfits.
  Patriotic feelings can be generated by playing motivational songs.	Use of Cinema and other cultural platforms to promote communal harmony.
  Robust Grievance redressal mechanism	Proper scrutinization of domestic and international funding of religious institutions and organizations.
  Setting up of Peace Communities or Community Policing.	Proper codified guidelines for administration to tackle the incidences of violence.
  Communal outfits should be immediately targeted and their capacity to disrupt law and order must be crippled.	Preventive measures should be strengthened
  Taking the help of the NGOs to remove the distrust within the communities.	The communication of political elites or administrative personnel should be checked and any incident of flaring communal sentiment must be reprimanded.
  The police force should be well-equipped to ensure their safety.	Participation of religious groups to ensure rightful interpretation of teachings of religious scriptures.
  Ensure mobile infrastructure with respect to medical emergencies.	Reduce the feeling of marginalisation to create an inclusive society.
  Making efforts to avoid politicization of the issue.	Stringent punishments for spreading communal disharmony.
  Increasing the deployment of the police and enhancing security through proper barricading.	Based on the Reports of the Rangnath Mishra Committee, Proper sensitization and training of police personnel is required.
  Providing victims with basic necessities.	Prevent Ghettoization of the religious groups to prevent the feeling of isolation.

REGIONAL DIVERSITY (06:36 PM)

• Concept of Region:
• It is a homogeneous area
• Physically and culturally distinct from the neighbouring areas.
• People of the region have an awareness that they are similar but distinct from others.
• It leads to the development of regional identity.
• Now People start professing their political loyalty more towards their region rather than their nation.
• For Example, Northeastern states also create a region based on geographical proximity, historical experience, ethnic ties, etc.
• Similarly, South Indian states are characterised by the Dravidian language which brings them under one fold.
• On the other hand, There could be multiple regions within a state.
• Example UP (Purvanchal, Bundelkhand, Paschim Pradesh, etc)
• Manipur (Imphal Valley and Hill Areas)
• Rajasthan ( Mewar, Marwar, Shekhawati, etc)

TOPIC FOR NEXT CLASS: REGIONAL DIVERSITY (To be Continued...)