What is communalism? Discuss the process of its emergence in Indian society.
Answers
Communalism
Communalism in our country means a strong sense of belonging to a particular, especially religious, community, which can lead to extreme behavior or violence towards others. In the recent past our country has seen many communal riots, especially in some states in which many people lost their lives. The entire world appears to be suffering from communal clashes. Even in our negihbouring countries such as Mynmar, Nepal, Bangla Desh, Srilanka, etc. communal riots have taken a heavy toll.
Ours is a country inhabited by people belonging to different religions, ethnicities, faiths, and creeds. Maintaining communal peace, camaraderie, etc. become quite challenging and formidable. The hostile neighbouring countries take immense pleasure in destabilizing the peace in our country. In the recent past many attempts to cause turbulence in the communal harmony have been foiled. Still there were a few incidents that made the atmosphere quite tense. People of India must not let nefarious forces disturb our national peace and harmony.
The Indian Government along with the people, must formulate a nationalistic policy aimed at promoting national integration and harmony, and implement this policy strictly. Education policy, foreign policy, and all the other policies must aim at promoting national interest. Nation must be supreme; all the rest must be subservient to it.
Any person or element that harms or undermines national integration must be strictly dealt with. Schools can play a great role. The children must be repeatedly told how our freedom fighters belonging to different faiths, religions, ethnicities, creeds, etc. fought together and won freedom for our country. Media can play a very crucial role in this regard. People must join in this national integration campaign and keep the anti-national people who cause communal clashes at bay.