In this post, notes of “Unit 3: Religion and Politics” from “DSC 15: Political Process in India” are given which is helpful for the students doing graduation this year.
1. Introduction to Religion and Politics
What Religion and Politics Mean and How They Connect
- Religion and politics are closely connected in India, where a person’s religion can affect their political choices.
- Religion means a system of beliefs and practices, while politics is about how a country is run and how power is used.
- They connect when religious groups affect political decisions, or when governments use religion to gain support.
History of Religion in Indian Politics
- Ancient India: Religion was important for rulers, like Ashoka, who supported Buddhism, and the Gupta Empire, which backed Hinduism.
- Medieval India: Mughal leaders had different views on religion, from Akbar’s acceptance of many faiths to Aurangzeb’s strict Islamic rule.
- Colonial Period: The British used religion to split communities, leading to events like the Partition of Bengal (1905) and the Muslim League’s creation (1906).
- Post-Independence: India became a secular country, but religion still plays a role in elections, policies, and political movements.
How Religion Shapes Political Ideas
- Hindutva (Hindu Nationalism) – Supported by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), focuses on Hindu identity in politics.
- Secularism – Supported by Congress and Leftist parties, stresses that the government should treat all religions equally.
- Minority Politics – Groups like the Muslim League (before independence) and All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM) work for the rights of religious minorities.
- Religious Movements – Movements like the Ram Janmabhoomi Movement, Sikh Khalistan Movement, and Christian Dalit movements show how religion affects politics.
India is a secular democracy, but religion still influences political discussions, election plans, and laws. 🚀
2. Debates on Secularism
What is Secularism?
- Secularism means that the government stays separate from religion, so it does not support any religion.
- In India, secularism means that the government treats all religions equally, which is different from the idea in many Western countries.
- It encourages freedom of religion, acceptance, and protection for minority groups.
Western vs. Indian Secularism
| Aspect | Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| Separation of Religion & State | Complete separation (like in the USA and France) | The state keeps a distance but can step in when needed (like controlling religious groups) |
| Religious Freedom | Religion is a private matter; the state stays out | The state can help religious groups for social good |
| Religious Interference | No state involvement in religion | The state can step in to stop unfair practices (like Sati and triple talaq) |
| Minority Protection | Focus on individual rights | Special protections for religious minorities (Articles 25-30) |
India’s approach is often called “principled distance,” meaning the state honors all religions but can act when necessary.
Main Debates on Secularism in India
- Neutrality of the State
- Some believe the state should be completely neutral and not get involved in religion.
- Others argue that the Indian state needs to manage religion to stop unfairness (like banning harmful practices).
- Respect for All Religions
- India is a country with many religions, so secularism should ensure equal respect for everyone.
- Critics say some laws favor certain religions, like Article 30, which gives special rights to minorities.
Constitutional Rules on Secularism
- Preamble – India is a “secular” republic (added in 1976).
- Article 25 – Everyone has the freedom to practice their religion.
- Article 26 – Religious groups can manage their own matters.
- Article 27 – No forced taxes to support any religion.
- Article 28 – No religious teaching in government-funded schools.
- Articles 29 & 30 – Protection of minority rights.
- Article 44 – Supports a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for equal laws for all religions.
Effects of Secularism on Indian Politics and Society
✅ Positive Effects:
- Encourages peaceful living together.
- Protects minority rights.
- Helps India stay united with many religions.
❌ Problems and Criticisms:
- Vote bank politics – Political parties use religion to get votes (like BJP’s Hindutva and Congress’s minority support).
- Legal differences – Different laws for different religions (like Hindu and Muslim laws) go against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
- Religious violence – Conflicts (like in Gujarat 2002 and Delhi 2020) highlight issues between religion and politics.
Conclusion
Secularism is a key part of Indian democracy, but people often argue about how it should work. The challenge is to balance religious freedom with national unity, ensuring equal rights for everyone. 🚀
3. Debates on Communalism
What is Communalism?
- Communalism is when a certain religious group puts its own interests above the unity of the country.
- This can cause tension, conflict, and division based on religion.
- Unlike secularism, which treats all religions equally, communalism creates an “us vs. them” mindset.
How Communalism Developed in India
- Before British Rule:
- Different religious groups lived together, but rulers sometimes used religion for power (like Akbar and Aurangzeb).
- During British Rule:
- The British used a “Divide and Rule” strategy to create divisions among religions.
- The Partition of Bengal (1905) increased Hindu-Muslim tensions.
- The Muslim League (1906) and separate voting systems (1909, 1919) made divisions worse.
- Communalism reached its peak during the Partition of India (1947), resulting in severe violence.
- After Independence:
- Even with a focus on secularism, communal riots and religious politics continued.
- The rise of Hindutva and minority politics increased tensions.
What Causes Communalism? Political, Social, and Economic Factors
✅ Political Reasons:
- Vote Bank Politics – Political parties target religious groups for votes (e.g., BJP’s Hindutva, Congress’s support for minorities).
- Religious Laws – No Uniform Civil Code (UCC) leads to legal differences.
- Political Manipulation – Leaders use religion to gain power (e.g., Babri Masjid dispute).
✅ Social Reasons:
- Religious Stereotypes – Misunderstandings create distrust between groups.
- Lack of Dialogue – Few efforts are made to promote peace among religions.
✅ Economic Reasons:
- Economic Disparity – Poorer communities are more likely to be influenced by communal ideas.
- Unequal Growth – Some religious groups face economic disadvantages, leading to frustration and anger.
Main Debates on Communalism
- Communalism as a Political Tool
- Some believe that political parties intentionally create communal tensions for votes.
- Example: Debates between Hindutva and minority support in politics.
- Others think communal issues exist on their own and are just used by politicians.
- Communalism and National Unity
- Supporters of Hindutva argue that a strong Hindu identity helps national unity.
- Secularists believe that religion should not define Indian identity since India has many religions.
- Leftists say that communalism is driven by capitalism and those in power use it to divide people.
Examples of Communal Conflicts in India
- Partition Riots (1947) – Led to mass killings and displacement of Hindus and Muslims.
- Anti-Sikh Riots (1984) – After Indira Gandhi’s assassination, Sikhs were attacked across India.
- Babri Masjid Demolition & Riots (1992) – The destruction of Babri Masjid led to Hindu-Muslim violence.
- Gujarat Riots (2002) – Hindu-Muslim riots followed the Godhra train burning.
- Delhi Riots (2020) – Violence erupted over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Conclusion
Communalism is a serious danger to India’s secularism and unity. Politics, history, and economic issues add to communal tensions, but dialogue between faiths, strong laws, and secular governance are necessary to stop violence. Strong democratic systems and responsible media can also help reduce communalism. 🚀
4. Secularism and Communalism in India Today
Problems for Secularism in Modern India
- Politics and Religion
- Political parties use religion to gain votes.
- Example: BJP focuses on Hindu beliefs, while Congress supports minorities.
- Growing Extremism
- The rise of radical groups from different religions is hurting social peace.
- Example: Debates on cow protection, Love Jihad, and extreme Islamic groups.
- Unequal Secularism
- Some say India’s secularism is not fair, leading to anger among the majority.
- Example: Minority rights in education clash with calls for equal laws for all.
- Social Media Issues
- False information and hate messages increase tensions.
- Example: Rumors on WhatsApp causing mob violence.
- Violence and Riots
- Tensions can lead to riots, causing deaths and damage.
- Example: Riots in Delhi (2020), Muzaffarnagar (2013), Gujarat (2002).
Ways to Fight Communalism
- Enforcing Laws
- Strong action against hate speech, banning hate groups, and punishing those who start riots.
- Education and Awareness
- Teaching values of secularism, encouraging dialogue between religions, and moral education in schools.
- Stronger Institutions
- Making the Election Commission, Courts, and Police more independent to stop biases.
- Uniform Civil Code (UCC)
- Creating common laws for everyone to end inequalities based on religion.
- Controlling Social Media
- Taking action against fake news, hate speech, and harmful content.
How Civil Society and Media Can Help Secularism
✅ Role of Civil Society
- NGOs and Activist Groups (like ADR and PUCL) work to promote peace between religions.
- They run awareness programs and take legal actions against violence.
✅ Role of Media
- Fair reporting can reveal communal politics and support secular values.
- Investigative work can uncover fake news and hate messages.
- However, sensational news can increase tensions.
Policies and Laws to Address Communalism
✅ Legal Measures
- Articles 25-30: Protect religious freedom and minority rights.
- Representation of People Act (1951): Bans communal messages during elections.
- Indian Penal Code (Sections 153A & 295A): Punishes hate speech and violence.
- Proposed Communal Violence Bill: Holds government officials responsible for preventing riots.
✅ Government Efforts
- National Integration Council (NIC) – Works against communalism.
- Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat – Encourages national unity.
Conclusion
Secularism in India faces many challenges from politics, society, and the digital world, but legal changes, education, and responsible media can help maintain India’s secular nature. 🚀
Religion and Politics