Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.