Growth of Communalism in India: Causes and Impact During the National Movement

Explore the growth of communalism in India during the national movement. Understand its causes, British policies, and its devastating impact, including partition and communal violence.

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Communalism is the belief that the interests of a particular religious community are distinct from and incompatible with those of other communities.

  • With the rise of nationalism, communalism appeared around the end of the nineteenth century. It proved to be a huge threat to the unity of the Indian people and the national movement.

Factors Leading to the Growth of Communalism in Colonial India

  • Role of British Divide and Rule Policy: The British often exploited communal tensions to maintain control and weaken the nationalist movement.

  • Communalism in History Writing: Historical interpretations portrayed ancient India as predominantly Hindu and medieval India as predominantly Muslim, fostering division.

  • Influence of Leaders and Organizations: Groups like the All-India Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha promoted the interests of specific religious communities, deepening communal divides.

  • Side Effects of Social-Religious Reform Movements: Movements like the Wahabi and Shuddhi movements heightened religious sensitivities and vulnerabilities.

  • Side Effects of Militant Nationalism: Nationalist activities, such as the Ganpati and Shivaji festivals, were linked to Hindu culture, creating a sense of 'majority' and 'minority' among communities.

The growth of communalism during the Indian National Movement was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that was influenced by a variety of factors, including British policy, socio-economic disparities, and the rise of religious nationalism. The impact of communalism was significant, leading to communal riots and violence, the partition of India, and ongoing communal tensions and violence.

Impact of Growth of Communalism: From Division to Partition

  • Division of Nationalist Movements: It fragmented the unity of the Indian freedom struggle by creating divisions based on religious identities, weakening the collective effort against British colonial rule.

  • Role in Partition: Communal tensions fueled by divisive politics ultimately led to the partition of India in 1947, resulting in mass displacement, violence, and loss of lives.
  • Example: Origin of Two Nation Theory

  • Distracted Focus: Internal conflicts and communal violence diverted attention and resources away from the primary goal of achieving independence, prolonging the struggle against colonial oppression.
  • Political Exploitation: British colonial rulers exploited communal differences to implement a "divide and rule" policy, hindering a unified movement for independence.

  • Violence and Riots: Communal conflicts often resulted in violent riots, causing loss of lives and disrupting the momentum of the freedom struggle.
  • Example: Direct Action Day (16 August 1946).


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