What is Communalism
Communalism is a narrow, divisive and aggressive attitude on the part of a group to the detriment of other groups.They Look upon each other with a sense of suspicion and hatred.
Communalism of one variety feeds on communalism of other varieties.Religious orthodoxy and fanaticism provide the ground on which the tendency of communalism stands and finds its sustenance.
Communalism is primarily fostered by few, often with a view to gain political power or economic gain for themselves.Some persons seek to exploit religious feelings to gain electoral support.Some of them do not hesitate to use religion for political ends.
Communalism poses the greatest threat to the amity and progress of Indians. It invariably distorts one’s perceptions and perverts the thinking process.Communalism of any variety is harmful, whether it comes from Hindus,Muslims, Sikhs or Christians.Punjab, as well as Jammu and Kashmir, were embroiled in the communal tangle for a long time.
How to curb Communalism
It Finds its breeding ground in the gullibility of the common people.Vested interests seek to whip up emotion among the ordinary people by sending false alarms that their religion fell in danger.It is poor and backward sections of the people who suffer in many ways during the communal riots.
We must strive to curb communal feelings and animosities.Primarily we are all human beings with similar needs and desires.We are all Indians.We shall cultivate fraternal feelings towards others, irrespective of religion.Religious faith and practice shall be confined to private life.
Each one of us shall be alive to this fact and do everything possible on the social and political fronts to prevent the attempts to fuel religious differences.
The press and media can also play a positive role in exposing the evil designs of the communalists and also informing and educating the people.The composition of the armed constabulary should be such that it is not weighted in favor of any community.In the event of any communal tension or conflict, the administration should take immediate steps to defuse the situation.Those who are responsible for the problem must be severely punished.Long-term measures are also necessary to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Now there is a minorities commission to inquire into the grievances of the minorities.The representation of people’s act has been amended to derecognize and bar any political party from contesting elections if it uses religion or religious symbols for gaining votes.There is also a growing realization that India has no other option but to eschew communalism if it has to survive as a unified country.
LOOK AT REGIONALISM IN INDIA
Safeguards to minorities
Keeping in view the problems of the minorities, the Constitution of India has provided several important safeguards for the minority communities.Right to religion is a fundamental Right. Article 29 provides that minority have the right to safeguard their own language and culture.
No citizen shall be denied admission into any educational institution maintained by the state or receiving aid out of State funds on grounds of religion, race, caste or language.
Article 30 stipulates that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
In Granting aid to educational institutional the state shall not discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority.Every state government is obliged to endeavor to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority Groups.
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