Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Contextual Background: Introduce the concepts of religiosity and communalism.
- Thesis Statement: State the importance of distinguishing between the two and highlight the transformation of religiosity into communalism.
2. Body
- Organize this section into clear thematic points.
A. Definition of Religiosity
- Description: Explain that religiosity encompasses beliefs, values, practices, and rituals related to faith.
- Focus: Emphasize its role in personal peace and social harmony.
B. Definition of Communalism
- Description: Define communalism as a strong attachment to one’s religious community, often leading to conflict.
- Focus: Highlight that communalism is politically motivated and centers on perceived common interests.
C. Historical Context
- Fact: Mention that religiosity has been integral to Indian civilization, while communalism arose due to British “Divide and Rule” policies.
- Source: “The Politics of Communalism” by Ashutosh Varshney.
D. Example of Transformation
- Case Study: Use the Sikh riots as an example.
- Fact: Explain how landless Sikh farmers, frustrated by the Green Revolution, were influenced by leaders like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale.
- Transformation: Show how the tenets of Sikhism were co-opted for political ends, leading to communal tensions.
- Source: “Punjab: The Night of the Broken Glass” by A. G. Noorani.
3. Conclusion
- Summarize Key Points: Recap the differences between religiosity and communalism and the example provided.
- Significance: Emphasize the challenges posed by the politicization of religious sentiments and the need for vigilance against communalism.
Relevant Facts for Use
- Religiosity: Encompasses beliefs, practices, and values guiding personal and social life.
- Communalism: Characterized by a politically motivated attachment to one’s religious group.
- Historical Context: Communalism emerged from British “Divide and Rule” policies (Source: Varshney).
- Sikh Riots: Frustration of landless Sikh farmers was exploited by leaders like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, leading to violence (Source: Noorani).
This roadmap provides a structured approach to answering the question, ensuring clarity and relevance while incorporating factual evidence.
Religiousness or religiosity refers to a personal or communal commitment to and practice of a particular religion. It involves adhering to religious beliefs, rituals, and moral values. It is often seen as an individual or collective engagement in spiritual activities and devotion.
Communalism, on the other hand, denotes a political ideology or practice that seeks to promote the interests of a particular religious community over others, often leading to social division and conflict. It can manifest in the form of religious intolerance, inter-religious strife, and efforts to establish or maintain dominance of one religious group over others.
Distinction:
Example of Transformation:
In independent India, the communal tensions in regions like Gujarat provide a clear example of how religiosity can transform into communalism. The Gujarat riots of 2002 were triggered by a tragic event, the burning of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims, which led to widespread violence against Muslims in Gujarat. What began as religious fervor and identity-based group mobilization by certain factions turned into a communal conflict with devastating consequences.
Religious sentiments were manipulated for political gain, exacerbating divisions and leading to violence and discrimination against minority communities. This transition from religiousness, which involves personal devotion, to communalism, characterized by hostility and division, underscores the complex interplay between personal faith and political agendas in contemporary India.
Model Answer
Introduction
Religiosity encompasses the totality of religious beliefs, values, practices, and rituals, serving as a guiding force in individuals’ lives. In contrast, communalism refers to a strong attachment to one’s religious community, often leading to the belief that followers of a particular religion share common social, political, and economic interests. This distinction is crucial in understanding the socio-political landscape of independent India.
Body
Differences Between Religiosity and Communalism
Transformation of Religiosity into Communalism
The partition of India in 1947 marked a significant transformation where communalism derived from previously benign religious sentiments. The Sikh riots exemplify this shift. Frustrated by inequitable benefits from the Green Revolution, landless Sikh farmers were manipulated by radical leaders like Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale. They portrayed their struggles as a direct consequence of the Hindu majority government’s policies.
This transformation illustrates how the basic tenets of Sikhism, rooted in peace and community, were co-opted for political ends, resulting in communal tensions and violence.
Conclusion
Religiosity has historically enriched Indian culture and spirituality. However, the politicization of religious sentiments, as seen in the transformation into communalism, poses significant challenges to governance and social harmony. It is imperative to safeguard against such transformations to ensure a cohesive and prosperous society in India.