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Introduction
In sociological terms Secularism stands for an ideology and has ideological
connotations but the usage of term in India does not conform to this ideological
positions. Theoretically, all that is there in the world: beliefs, dogma, myths etc.
are either Sacred or Secular.
Sacred, which is dealing with religion
hence all traditional societies are sacred as they are based on religion. Secular,
on the other hand carries three properties:
1. Separation between State and Church.
2. Emphasis on Earthly rather on Divinity.
3. Rational Outlook.
However, Secularism evolves into a very varied outlook. Some consider it to
be separation between Church and State while some consider it to be value
neutral and Multi Religious i.e. mutual respect towards all religion. Some
consider it to be anti-religion while some consider it to be non-religious
( Nehruvian Concept). Some consider it to a prerequisite for a modern State
while some raised question on its very existence. Few regard it as anti-majoritism
while few consider it to be an appeasement policy for Minorities.
But in all this vague meaning, one version came out separate and in fact
suitability matches with the very multi-ethnic Indias definition of Secularism, i.e.
the Sarvo Dharma Sambhava, or the Gandhian concept of Secularism
which meant EQUAL REPSECT TO ALL RELIGION AS WELL NON-RELIGIOUS.
In simple words it connotes that public life and matter of governance, religion
should not dictate the Socio-Political Decisions. In these backgrounds, it
encompasses two specific features:
1. Differentiation: Economy and State are separated from Religion.
2. Privatisation: It includes the very rational and scientific outlook where
religion entirely becomes part of Private domain of an Individual.
Origin
Societies are not born secular rather it undergo transformation from
traditional society to secular one. This transformation is brought by a process
called Secularization.
Conclusion
Secularism reflects the way of life and connotes the ethical conduct,
applicable to Individual, Society and State. The mutual hobnobbing
between these three, i.e. Individual clinging to its faith, prevalence of mutual
respect to all religion between all levels of society and State observing
equidistant towards all religion, will not only strengthen the Constitutional
Safeguards but will also ensure the sense of security and belongings which no
Constitution can guaranty.
Further it also reflects the sense of fraternity, unity among the citizens thereby
generate the feeling of WE: the very core central word of Preamble.
Communalism
One of the most striking feature of Indias current socio-political scenario is the
explosion of communalism in the face of New Economic Policy and
Globalization. It is threatening to the very social fabric of Indian Society. It is a
highly complex phenomenon in pluralistic India.
Its dictionary meaning connotes freedom of solidarity, a positive domain
but in practise it is not so. The historians describe it as a false consciousness
or state of consciousness or colonialist knowledge. Sociologically, it is an
attempt to establish a relative identity. The socio-political analyst relate it with
the game of power created by religious leaders, who play the cords of suspicion
so well that religion emerges as a smoke screen blurring the visibility of believes.
In simple terms, it refers to the antagonism practised by the members of
one community against the people of other community and religion. It is
an ideology based on the belief that society is divided into religious communities
whose interest differ and are opposed to each other and thus antagonistic in
nature. India is a land of multiple faiths and religions leading often to violence
and hatred among the people. Those who fan this religious violence do not
consider religion as a moral order but use it as a means and weapon to pursue
their political ambitions. Communalism essentially leads to violence as it is based
on mutual religious hatred.
Scholars have identified six dimension of Communalism : assimilations,
welfarist, retreatist, retaliatory, separatist, and successionist. The occurrence of
it not only undermines the heritage of composite culture but also makes the
ideology of secularism look pale and exhausted.
Communalism essentially has following main features :
1) It is based on orthodoxy.
2) It is exclusive in outlook, a communalist considers his own religion to be
superior to
other religions.
3) It is based on intolerance.
4) It also propagates intense dislike of other religions.
5) It stands for elimination of other religions and its values.
6) It adopts extremist tactics including use of violence against other people
Due to all this, fault lines were sharpening and communal consciousness
was emerging among the Hindus and Muslim elite. The Hindu elite
welcomed the British rule as liberal one and began to aspire for higher
administrative jobs. The Muslim elite-mostly feudal- on the other hand,
considered the British Rule an unmitigated disaster as they lost power and
suffered the most during the retaliatory action by British after 1857 uprising. And
thus conflict about sharing power arose between the Hindus and Muslim elite.
Communalism is not a product of religious hostilities. It is a result of
political and economic struggles for a share in power and resources
between the educated elite. In the independent India, the universal franchisee
changed the scenario of entire political process. Increased participation in
political process made minorities and lower caste people understand the
importance of their vote and they began to make increased demand, thus
changing the dynamics of political change. And this added a new dimension to
communalism, which we had inherited from the British Period. Economic
change also added to social strife. Election in India has become an end in itself
and narrow self and political interest rather than larger national interests became
more important. Number Game in pluralistic society became apparent. Further
capture of political organization by cultural and sectarian organization
is also a case in point
Communalism is also a majorly urban phenomenon, where the deprived
and frustrated poor people indulge in loot and plunder whenever
opportunity arises. And communal riot provided an opportunity for both. But
recent Gujarat Riots and Mujaffarnagar Riots has shaken all sensible, justice
loving and secular people of country. Some reports even described them as
ethnic cleansing done under the supervision of State.
The rapid expansion of markets and market forces has also contributed
to the growing communalization of Indian Society. The market forces are
pushing out spirituality from religion and transforming religion into a saleable
commodity. Significantly, religious festivals in different areas are undergoing a
change. They used to take place in localised manner. But now they are more
catching with commercial interest. This further increases the communal
consciousness in the society.
Communal Violence
Most communal riots prior to 1947 were rooted in the divide and rule policy of
the British colonial rule. But after the partition of the country, sections of the
Indian elite from both the communities are also to be blamed for the problem.
Communal violence in independent India has been caused by many factors.
Some general factors are :
First the class divisions of our society and the backwardness of our economy
has resulted in uneven development of the economy. It is the upper classes of
the less-developed communities that have enjoyed the fruits of limited
growth and hence it is they who have also enjoyed political power. Over a
period of time some sections among this elite developed a sense of rivalry vis-vis their counterparts in other communities. In order to draw support from
the masses of their own community, these leaders have often
encouraged communal feelings to strengthen their political support.
Communal violence also increases because communal parties carry on
religious propaganda in an offensive manner, thereby creating ill-will among
the members of the various communities. The political parties in India which
adopt a communal attitude should be blamed for encouraging communal
feelings which often cause communal violence.
Apart from these general factors, some specific local causes also account
for communal violence in India. First, because the power of smugglers and
criminal gangs, local rivalries between traders of different communities
often leads to such violence. Large cities are also prone to periodic communal
riots because of the power of smugglers and criminal gangs. The communal
violence after the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1993 is an example.
Secondly, communal riots occur in towns which have a history of
communal riots. Aligarh and Hydrabad, among other cities, suffer from this
trend. Presence of a large proportion of religious minorities increases political
rivalry between the upper strata of both these communities who often appeal to
their communal identity to gain support.
Whatever may be the cause of communal violence, whenever it occurs, it
immediately attracts attention of the nation. In our society class identities still
remain submerged under caste and communal identities. With economic
problems becoming important, the ruling elite of our country manages to convert
economic problems like poverty unemployment, price rise etc. into caste and
communal ones. People should be careful not to be influenced by such tactics.
Economic problems of the people, like-poverty and unemployment must be
resolved in the country before the problem of communal violence can be totally
eliminated