Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (UPSC IAS Mains 2017 General Studies Paper – 1)
- Religiousness and communalism are two distinct concepts that have been observed in the Indian context. While religiousness refers to an individual''s personal belief and adherence to a particular religion, communalism refers to the politicization and exploitation of religious identities for political gain. In independent India, there have been instances where religiousness has transformed into communalism, leading to social and political tensions.
- Religiousness - Religiousness is the expression of an individual''s faith and adherence to a particular religion. It is a personal choice and encompasses beliefs, rituals, and practices that are followed by an individual in their daily life. Religiousness is driven by an individual''s spiritual and moral convictions, and it does not necessarily involve the politicization of religious identities or conflict with other religious communities. It serves as a source of solace, guidance, and ethical principles for individuals.
- Communalism - Communalism, on the other hand, refers to the exploitation of religious identities for political or social gain. It involves the manipulation of religious sentiments and the creation of divisions among different religious communities. Communalism often leads to conflicts, violence, and the marginalization of certain religious groups. It can be fueled by political parties, leaders, or organizations that seek to mobilize support based on religious affiliations.
- Transformation of Religiousness into Communalism in Independent India
- In independent India, there have been instances where religiousness has transformed into communalism, primarily due to political motivations and socio-economic factors. One example of this transformation is the rise of the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute.
- The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute originated in the 16th century when the Babri Masjid was constructed in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh. The dispute gained significant attention in the 1980s and 1990s when it became a political issue. Various Hindu nationalist organizations and political parties started mobilizing support by advocating for the construction of a Ram temple at the site, claiming it to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. This issue, which initially had religious connotations, gradually transformed into communalism as political parties capitalized on it to gain support from their respective religious communities. Tensions between Hindus and Muslims escalated, leading to violent clashes and the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992. The incident resulted in widespread communal riots across the country, causing significant loss of life and property.
- The transformation of religiousness into communalism in the Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi dispute highlights how political motivations and socio-economic factors can exploit religious sentiments and create divisions among different communities. It is essential to distinguish between religiousness and communalism to ensure peaceful coexistence and harmony among diverse religious groups in independent India.
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