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RiseAndGrowthOfCommunalismInIndiaHistoryEssay
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RiseAndGrowthOfCommunalismInIndiaHistoryEssay
people from the Hindu, Parsi and Christian communities. The British noticed the absence of the
Muslims in this movement, and quickly began working on ensuring that they did not join the
movement. The British began implementing policies too that promoted the activities of communal
forces, and divided the national struggle.
When the British opened up the administration of the country most positions were taken up the
Hindus since the education culture had not spread to the Muslim Community making them feel left
out and demand a special reservation.
Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan, an earlier nationalist drifted towards Communalism.
Communalism was also fostered through the writing of the Indian History. Socio-religious reform
movements like Arya Samaj, Sanatan Dharam movements, Aligarh movement, Wahabi movement
and some other fringe movements contributed towards communalism.
Partition of Bengal:
The Partition of Bengal in 1905 was made on October 16 by then Viceroy of India, Lord Curzon.
Partition was promoted on the grounds that Bengal was a very large state with a large population
causing the eastern region to under-governed. However, the actual motives behind the partition were
different. The position of the Bengali Hindus would be weakened, since Muslims would now dominate
in the East which led to Hindu opposition to the partition while the Muslims highly favored it. This
partition was one more part of 'Divide and Rule' policy.
As the partition was in favor of Muslims they welcomed it, whereas the Hindu's were not in favor of it.
Due to this Hindu community launched a Swadeshi Movement by boycotting the British goods. Seeing
this scenario British decided to support the Hindus, this act disturbed the Muslims. It was medium to
tell the Muslims to go to their homeland.
Khilafat Movement:
Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) was a significant Islamic movement in India during the British rule.
The sultan of turkey also known as the caliph i.e. khalifa or successor of Prophet Muhammad was
considered as the religious leader of the Muslims all over the world. This was first the religious
political movement in India involving common Muslims. However, initially this movement was first
targeted to the educated and elite Muslims only. The goals of the Khilafat Movement were:
Secure the Ottoman Caliphate
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Jinnah the main leader of Muslim League had a different outlook for religion and its practices. One of
the major drawbacks of Jinnah was he only supported the elite Muslims whereas showing no anxiety
to the low and backward Muslims. The Muslim League wanted to give all the privileges to the elite
Muslims only, which was for the Muslims Landlords and Nawabs.
As the Muslims were not united during the pre partition days, the aim of the Muslim League was to
provoke religious passions to dedicated path. As the low caste Muslims were not given importance in
the Muslim League they decided their own pathway where they from sections like North West
province and South where they supported Indian National Congress. Seeing this scenario the Muslim
League used violent language.
Since 1870, elite Hindus like zamindars, money lenders and other leaders started an organization to
provoke anti Muslims and simultaneously opposing India National Congress. Their sole purpose was
to remove the Muslims from the country. For them Hindus were first Hindus and then Indians. This
thought formed an organization known as Hindu Mahasabha and later was called Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Hindus Mahasabha created a false impression of patriotism by using slogans like 'Bharat Mata' i.e.
Mother India and so on, which created an impression that they wanted a country without Muslims. As
according to them Hindus and Muslims were a separate Nation.
Following are some common features of Hindu Communalism and Muslim Communalism
Was mainly for elite members like, Landlords and Kings
Was supported by British, basically was in favor of British and not against the British.
Both wanted a separate nation as a whole
Strongly opposed Indian National Congress
Hatred for each other
Politics was their backbone
Followed a hierarchy system
Were strongly against democratic ethics
By understanding the roots of communalism we must recognize that it is neither signifies religion nor
patriotism as one but it signifies wellbeing. Then the religious communities are being divided into
various sections like elite class low class and language it should be realized that no religious
community is uniform as communalists. These particular fault lies in both Hindu and Muslims
community. The Muslim League and Hindu Mahasabha deliberately did not allow the low caste to
participate which made linguistic culture lines which divided their religion on the basis on caste.
As a result there were three main aspects which lead to the partition of India which are:
British 'Divide and Rule' policy
Muslim Communalism i.e. the Muslim League representing elite Muslim leaders, zamindars and
nawabs
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Hindu Communalism i.e. Hindu Mahasabha or RSS representing Hindu leaders, Brahmins, money
lenders
Post-independence:
Most communal riots prior to 1947 were rooted in the policy of British colonial rulers. But after the
partition, a section of the Indian elite of both sections are also blamed for the problem. Communal
problems post independence has been caused many factors, some of which are:
The class division of society and the backwardness of our economy resulted in unequal and
unbalanced economy.
It is the upper classes of the less developed communities that have enjoyed the fruits of limited
growth and have hence enjoyed the political power.
In order to draw support from their own communities, these leaders have always encouraged
communal feelings to strengthen their political support.
If we were to take a surface view of bare facts of any communal riot in India, it would appear that the
riot was caused by an incident so insignificant that we would stand amazed at how such a trifling
matter could cause so much Larson, loot and murder. It however does not require much thinking to
know that this incident was not the real cause of the riot. The basic cause for all communal
disturbances is the communal atmosphere pervading the country and the communal tension built up
between two communities. The communal atmosphere provides a ready tilled soil for communal
minded people to sow seeds of communal hatred and nurture them until the bitter harvest of
communal riots are reaped.
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