RELIGIOUSNESS AND COMMUNALISM

 UPSC GS MAINS IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter independent India.

Religiousness/religiosity is defined as conviction or adherence towards one's faith. Religiosity can encapsulate all dimensions of religion. The concept can also be used in a narrow sense to denote an extreme view and over dedication to religious rituals and traditions. This rigid form of religiosity known as religious fundamentalism is often viewed as a negative side of the religious experience which are deemed to be beyond the social norms of one's faith.




Communalism is defined as a belief that people who follow the same religion have common political, economic and social interests. Communalism is also referred as to aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity. One of the characteristic feature of communalism is its claim that religious identity overrides everything else. Communalism is a political ideology that appeals to people based on their religious affiliation while religiosity is concerned only about religion. Religious experience in form of fundamentalism can be negative but the broader view of religiosity shows positive side too, but communalism has a strictly negative connotation.




The seeds of communalism were sown in the pre-independence era by the British to consolidate their position in India. The holocaust during partition established strong roots of communalism in India. It was further fueled by communal politics and appeasement of minorities by few parties to secure electoral victory. Minorities were constantly tutored that they are safe only under the patronage of few parties. Religious fanatics from majority also played their role in making the political atmosphere communal in India. 

For example worshipping cow is religiousness but trying to punish a person involved in cow trade by religious fanatics without any legal authority is communalism. Religion today plays important role in Indian politics and can be argued that communalism has sidelined religiosity.

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