Religiousness/Religiosity vs. Communalism
1. Religiousness/Religiosity
- Definition: It refers to personal faith, devotion, and adherence to religious practices without hostility toward other religions.
- Nature: Spiritual and individual-centric, focusing on moral values, rituals, and traditions.
- Example: People celebrating Diwali, Eid, Christmas, or Gurpurab peacefully while respecting other faiths.
2. Communalism
- Definition: A politicized version of religion where one religious group sees itself in opposition to others, often leading to conflict.
- Nature: Based on group identity, often used for political mobilization and social division.
- Example: 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots, 1992 Babri Masjid Demolition and its aftermath, and 2002 Gujarat Riots, where religion was used as a basis for violence.
Transformation of Religiousness into Communalism in Independent India
- Example: The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi Dispute
- Initially, Ayodhya was a site of religious pilgrimage for Hindus.
- Gradually, religious sentiments were politicized, leading to communal mobilization, riots (1992), and subsequent violence.
- This is a classic case where personal faith (religiosity) turned into political and social conflict (communalism).
Conclusion
Religiousness promotes peace and moral growth, while communalism fosters division and conflict. Independent India has witnessed multiple instances where faith was manipulated for political gains, underscoring the need for secularism and social harmony.
