Communal Violence

Communalism is defined as the use of religion/ ethnicity in politics for political motives and to create insecurities amongst groups. Communalism arises when religion or ethnicity is used in politics in a divisive way. It happens when one religion is portrayed as superior, leading to conflicts between religious groups. This form of politics, known as communal politics, wrongly believes that all interests of the people of one religious group will be identical i.e. they will eat, clothe, live their lives in the same way. So, communalism believes that people from different religions cannot coexist as equal citizens within one nation.

The roots of communal violence in India today can be traced back to the colonial era, where the British policy of 'divide and rule' widened existing religious divisions. This policy, along with different socio- economic conditions of religious groups created a fertile ground for communal tensions to fester and erupt into violence.

Communalism manifests in everyday beliefs, often involvingreligious prejudices and a sense of superiority. It can also take the shape of political mobilization on religious lines, using symbols and leaders. In its worst form, communalism leads to violence, riots, and massacres. National Commission Records Bureau data shows that in the last eight years since 2014, 2020 had the most communal killings reported at 62. Barring 2013 (71) & 2020, the toll has never crossed 50 in any single year. These incidents often result in loss of life, property damage, and communal disharmony.

Communalism v. Religiosity: It is crucial to distinguish between religiosity, the genuine practice of faith, and communalism, the manipulation of religion for political or social gain. Communalism often involves the distortion of religious teachings to justify violence and discrimination against other communities.

1. Disparate Economic Growth: Economic growth in country has brought both positive and negative consequences. While economic growth has lifted many out of poverty, it has also widened socio-economic disparities, contributing to communal tensions.
2. Religious Support Networks: Increased competition and economic insecurity, has led to a heightened sense of ethnic identity because individuals often turn to their religious communities for support and security in times of uncertainty.
3. Struggle for Power: Communalism can also arise from a struggle for power or a perception of relative deprivation. When one community feels threatened by another's perceived dominance, it may resort to violence to assert its power or gain access to resources.
4. Divisive Politics: Communalism is used as a tool for political gains, distracting the common populace from their economic struggles.
5. Weak Law and Order: Motivates communal forces to instigate
6. Propaganda: Through media creates psychological basis for attacking another community

Communalism is a threat to Internal Security: Communalism can be exploited by external forces to destabilize the nation. The rise of radicalization and the potential for terrorism are direct consequences of communal tensions. Additionally, communal politics often undermine the fabric of national unity, hindering progress and development.

Communalism has been a significant challenge for Indian democracy. Various steps and measures have been taken to curb this menace-

1. Promote education that fosters tolerance and understanding. Informed citizens are less likely to fall prey to divisive ideologies, making education a potent tool against communalism. E.g. National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 also provides for moral education on all basic human and Constitutional values such as seva, ahimsa, satya, nishkam karma, shanti, sacrifice, tolerance, diversity, pluralism, righteous conduct, etc.
2. Targeted social welfare programs that uplift marginalized communities, reducing disparities and fostering a sense of inclusion.
3. Curbing votebank politics that exploit religious sentiment for electoral gain is essential. Representation of People Act and the Model Code of Conduct both regulate misuse of religion during political campaigning, , and they are enforced by the Election Commission of India.
4. Strengthen community policing to build trust between law enforcement and communities. This can help prevent and manage communal incidents effectively
5. Practical Steps: The Indian government has taken various measures to address the issue of communal violence. These include:
• Enacting laws to prevent and punish acts of communal violence
• Establishing peace committees to promote dialogue and reconciliation
• Launching awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of communalism
6. Secular Constitution: The framers of the Constitution understood this challenge and established a secular state.Constitutional provisions ensure freedom of religion, prohibit discrimination based on religion, and empower the state to intervene in religious matters to ensure equality.
7. Ensuring inclusive economic growth where no one is left behind. Prioritize policies that bridge the economic divide, ensuring equitable opportunities for all.

The violence is rooted in deep-seated historical grievances, political rivalries, and economic disparities between the two groups.

1. Metei- Kuki Communities: The clases are between the Meitei people, the majority community in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills.
2. Demand for Resources: Violence was sparked due to land dispute and demands for reservation by the dominant Metei community through being included into the Scheduled Tribe category. This was opposed by Kukis who are economically backward.
3. Historical Differences: In the early 20th century, the British colonial government began to favor the Meiteis, further exacerbating tensions between the two groups. The Kukis felt that they were being excluded from political and economic opportunities, and this led to a rise in Kuki nationalism.
4. Social Media Misinformation: The violence was fueled by spread of misinformation on social media when fake photos of youth alledgedly murdered by the other community were uploaded.
5. Managing the Conflict: The Indian government has deployed troops to Manipur to restore order. The government has also called for dialogue between the Meiteis and the Kukis in an effort to resolve the underlying causes of the violence. The internet was also shut down to curb misinformation and further spread of violence.
6. Impact: The ethnic clashes in Manipur have had a devastating impact on the region. The violence has caused a humanitarian crisis, with thousands of people displaced from their homes. The clashes have also damaged the region's economy and tourism industry.

India lost around 9% of its GDP to communal violence in 2017. Communalism poses a threat not just to certain people but to the very idea of India. While addressing the immediate threats of violence and discrimination is crucial, we must also move beyond reactive strategies and focus on fostering a vibrant, inclusive India where communalism has no room to thrive. It is a collective responsibility to preserve the inclusive spirit of the nation. We must check the misuse of diversity by political leaders who blame another community instead of taking accountability for widespread unemployment and inflation.

Social media has been a breeding ground for misinformation and hate speech, but it can also be a powerful tool for positive change. We must actively promote responsible online behavior, encourage fact-checking, and create platforms for inter-faith dialogue and understanding. This is essential to break down stereotypes and help communities build bridges across religious divides.