Question 9ExamineGS1GS1
Examine the role of historical and socio-political factors in driving communalism in Indian politics. (Answer in 150 words)
Introduction
Ram Ahuja defines communalism as intense affinity to one's own community which often feels antagonistic towards other groups and believes in mutual exclusion.
23 words
Main Body
Historical factors of communalism:
1Role of British <- Divide and Rule policy led to spread of communalism in India
2Revivalist movements caused distrust eg) Shivaji and Ganpati festivals of Tilak antagonised Muslims
3Muslim orthodox movements <- eg) Deoband Movement by Mohammed Qasim Nanotwi
4Hindu revivalist movements -> like Arya Samaj's 'Shuddhi' movement
5Failure to accommodate in India politics -> led to polarisation & formation of Muslim League
Socio-Political factors:
1Economic disparities <- lower economic opportunity
2Social ostracization -> faced by communities
3Hate speech -> led to multiple riots eg) Tehseen Poonawala case, Supreme Court asked to curb it
4Poor education & health factors -> eg) Only 2.5% Muslim women do higher graduation
Initiatives -> Nai Manzil & USTAAD, Earn while you learn scheme, Inter-faith dialogues, Communal Harmony drives
137 words3 paragraphs
Conclusion
The democracy of India must remove the vile of Intolerance to reach Amrit Kaal by 2047
16 words
Diagram
Graph showing rising trend of communalism over time with markers for Kashmir riots, Delhi riots, Babri Masjid riots, Gujarat riots, Calcutta riots
- Good use of thinker definition
- Historical examples well cited
- Diagram showing timeline of communal riots
Topper
Ishitha Anand
AIR 50
Subject & Paper
GS1GS1
Topic
Indian Society
Regionalism
Communalism
Writing Stats
176
Total words
3
Paragraphs
analytical
Tone