Distinguish between religiousness/ religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India.
The seeds of communalism were sown in India by divisive British policies. It transformed the prior antagonism and differences into enmity between the communities. This has refused to die post independence. Communal politics by some parties has opened up the fissures in the community.
Religiousness/ Religiosity is the feeling of devoutness or reverence to a particular deity. Such faith often provides the people not only with a religious identity, but shapes their personal identity, social behavior and world view.
When a person believes that his religion/ religious community cannot coexist with another religion/ religious community this gives rise to communalism. Communalism is hatred based on religious belief. Communalism arises because of the belief that the interests of one community does not only differ but is incompatible and opposed to that of another.
One bitter example of religious communalism in India was the Sikh separatist movement for Khalistan. Sikhism was founded as a reform movement against the dogmas of Hindu religion. Though Sikhs are dispersed throughout India, they from a majority community in Punjab province. Increased prosperity (ushered in by the Green Revolution) along with distinct religious identity combined to form a deadly cocktail for communalism. Though, the movement has subsided there are still certain segments which perpetually try to take advantage of the situation. This has led to a presence of possibility of reignition the communal spark.
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