D. Communalism

The problem of communalism begins when a religion is seen as the basis of the national unity and identity. The problem becomes sharper when religion is expressed in exclusive and partisan terms, when one followers of a particular religion is pitted against another.

Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs which routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one's religion over other religions. Political mobilization on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism, this involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leader's emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together against the other religious community. Sometimes communalism takes its most ugly form of communal violence, riots, and massacre etc.

Communalism was and continues to be one of the major challenges to democracy in our country. The founding fathers of the nations wanted secular India, hence they strictly refrained themselves from declaring India's official religion, and provided equal freedom to all the followers of different religions. In-spite of all the equal freedom to everyone in the country and secular character of country India witnessed lots of communal riots which were immensely brutal and horrendous.

Here we will discuss the infamous incident of communal politics.