Rise of Communalism

Communalism is an ideology where people belonging to the same religion would have same secular interests that often differ from that of other religious groups.

Reasons for Growth of Communalism

• Differences in language, culture, caste, social status, food and dress habits, social practices, or customs.
• Educational development among Hindus and Muslims was different. Hence, it was easy for reactionary big landlords and the richer classes to continue to wield influence.
• British government gave importance to Hindus over Muslims in government jobs.
• Economically, both Hindus and Muslims departed. Access to land, factories, businesses and jobs were limited to a few privileged classes.
• Reform movements such as Wahabi Movement among Muslims and Shuddhi among Hindus with their militant overtones made the role of religion more vulnerable to communalism.
• Divide and rule: Post-1857, British began working on the Divide and Rule Policy. This was seen in the defence recruitment, administrative changes, promotion to political parties (Congress and later Muslim league), communal representation in the government (Morley Minto reforms), and communal commentaries.
• Role of political parties: Call from various political parties to side with colonial powers. E.g.,  Punjab Hindu Sabha argued that Hindus should side with the colonial government in their fight against Muslims. Similarly, Muslim League called for favouring the British Government in its colonial stance.
• Two Nation theory: Although it began as a force after the formation of Muslim League in 1906. It was materialised on ground when League could not form the choice of government in 1937 provincial elections. Soon liberal communalism shifted to an extreme form of communalism.

Rise of Communalism During Freedom Struggle

Promotional Role:

• Bal Gangadhar Tilak through the launch of Shivaji and Ganesh festivals gave impetus to the mass movement and gained popular support.
• Religious-based political organisations such as Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha promoted the participation of people in the freedom struggle on religious lines.

Hindrance Role:

• Communalism led to the rise of hatred among various religious groups, ultimately calling for riots and killings of innocent people.
• Partition: Although Communalism united people against British government, but also implanted seeds for partition. Due to communal emotions, Indians could not fight the colonial powers in the later years of struggle. Muslim league remained aloof in Quit India Movement, while Congress had no interest in the partition proposal of Muslim League.
• On the pretext of communal forces, Indians started fighting each other rather than fighting the common enemy of colonialism. This further delayed the struggle forces and helped Britishers to take elongated advantages.
• Communalism led to different levels of nationalist intensity among Indian across regions. While Bengal and Punjab were burning due to communalism, Bombay, Central Province, Madras and Bihar took intensive participation for independence.