Communalism is an ideology based on the belief that Indian society is divided into religious communities, whose economic, political, social and cultural interests diverge and are even hostile to each other because of their religious differences. K.M. Ashraf calls this “Mazhab ki siyasi dukandari”( political trade in religion). Communalism has been a burning issue examined by various scholars. Several key features have emerged from that examination. According to Bipan Chandra, there Communalism has three key elements or stages: <ol> <li>First, it is the belief that people who follow the same religion have common secular interests, that is, common political, economic, social and cultural interests. This is the first bedrock of communal ideology. From this arises the notion of socio-political communities based on religion. It is these religion-based communities, and not classes, nationalities, linguistic-cultural groups, nations or such politico-territorial units as provinces or states that are seen as the fundamental units of Indian society .</li> <li>The second clement of communal ideology rests on the notion that in a multi-religious society like India, the secular interests, that is the social, cultural, economic and political interests, of the followers of one religion are dissimilar and divergent from the interests of the followers of another.</li> <li>The third element of communalism is reached when the interests of the followers of different religions or of different ‘communities’ are seen to be mutually incompatible, antagonistic and hostile. The communalist asserts at this stage that different religions cannot have common secular interests, that their secular interests are bound to be opposed to each other.</li> </ol> <h3>Impacts Of Communalism</h3> <ol> <li>Breakdown of Social Cohesion and civic life as communities become hostile to each other and there is widespread mistrust.</li> <li>Everyday Communalism: According to Sudha Pai, Communalism today has become normalised through small and frequent clashes and radicalisation of communities.</li> <li>Violent riots leading to loss of life and property: Gujarat 2002, Delhi 2020, Muzaffarnagar Riots.</li> <li>Ghettoisation, i.e., communities living in segregated and isolated parts of the city or village.</li> <li>Politics of opportunism and appeasement, as religious identities are used as the basis of vote appeals rather than development and welfare. Communities are pitted against each other for electoral gains, further increasing hostilities.</li> </ol> <h3>How Communalism Is A Threat To Indian Society</h3> Communalism becomes a threat to democracy when it begins to strain the fabric of social democracy and subvert political democracy. As a phenomenon without leading to any tangible outcome, process or event (like riots or ghettoisation) it may not directly threaten democracy. However, when Communalism becomes active, all-pervasive process with tangible outcomes it threatens democracy through the following processes: <ol> <li>Everyday Communalism undermines social capital and therefore social democracy itself. As Dr Ambedkar would say, without social democracy, political democracy remains a farce.</li> <li>Riots and genocide undermines law and order and the fraternity between communities.</li> <li>Communalism also undermines constitutionalism and constitutional morality.</li> <li>It also subverts the electoral process by promoting vote bank politics based on religious identity.</li> <li>Communalism manifests due to an underlying economic competition for jobs and economic gains can also create deeper economic inequalities in society.</li> <li>Communalism also undermines fraternity by prioritising religious identity over other identities of Indians and reduces people to monolithic entities.</li> </ol> These features of Communalism therefore when combined with other societal processes like politics of opportunism, economic competition for limited jobs and opportunities, inequities of class, and an already weakened sense of fraternity pose a threat to Indian democracy. As a combined force they artificially manufacture a civilisational war between communities. <h3>Way Forward</h3> The challenge of communalism has been a historic one and continues to strain the democratic fabric of the nation. Addressing the threat of Communalism to Indian Democracy is a priority and can be pursued by: 1.Upholding constitutional principles of Equality, justice and fraternity. 2.Reviving the secular ideals of India which encompasses <ol style=”list-style-type: lower-alpha;”> <li>Nehru’s Dharma Nirpekshata.</li> <li>Gandhi’s Sarva Dharma Sambava</li> <li>Ambedkar’s preservation of minority rights.</li> </ol> 3. Addressing the Institutional apathy around communalism, example inaction of police as seen during the 1984 riots. This can be done by substantively implementing Prakash Singh case guidelines for police reforms given by Supreme Court. 4. Introduce dedicated legislation on lines of Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violence (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill 2011 . Though Communalism has been a scar on the Indian body politic since before independence, it needs to be eradicated. This can be achieved as Neera Chandhoke would say, by upholding the basic constitutional principles. An institutional bulwark of accountable police, responsive bureaucracy and speedy justice system can complement this pursuit. &nbsp;