Communalism: Communalism refers mainly to loyalty to one’s own religion before the nation. It implies extreme pride in and identification with one’s own religion. India is one of the countries in the world where so many religions co-exist side by side. Communal conflict is a displeasing factor that affects the unity of the nation.

Socially, communal conflict creates feelings of deep hatred, bitterness, and antagonism between members of different religious communities. Such conflicts also lead to feelings of insecurity and they loosen bonds of solidarity. Economically, communal conflicts retard economic growth and development. Often, resources have to be diverted for the damage caused by communal riots and clashes. Production suffers and there is a severe monetary loss for the nation. Politically, communal conflict weakens democracy. It allows politicians to use religion as a means to acquire positions of prominence for their vested interests.

Also, on the international front, communal conflict affects India’s image adversely and weakens it considerably. Religious antagonism has posed a serious challenge to national integration in India. People belonging to different religions feel that their religion is superior; this is a problem of enhanced ethnocentrism.

Political manipulation is often known to project one religion against the other which has resulted in communal riots, mutual distrust, and disintegration. Large-scale illiteracy and superstitions are responsible, along with other causes for the rise of communal violence and divisive tendencies in the country. Religious fundamentalism can lead to acts of terrorism which can create a fear psychosis in the minds of people. Communalism is a severe threat to the harmony and secular spirit of a country.

Example: Incidence of communal riots. The Ram Mandir -Babari Masjid issue in the year 1990, Mumbai riots in 1992 & Godhra riots in 2002, the partition riots of 1947 – the worst incident of Hindu Muslim conflict in the history of India.