• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE

• OVERVIEW AND IMPLICATIONS

• AN INTRODUCTORY
• A riot is a type of civil disorder which commonly refers to a group lashing out in
a violent public disturbance against the authority, property, or people and
communal riots or communal violence are simply clashes between two or more
communities owing to clashes of communal interests, this also leads to violent
public disturbance.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• But what causes communal riots in India? India is dominant with two major
communities, Hindus & Muslims, wherein the Muslim community in India is the
second largest community, that is, nearly 200 million Muslims after Hindus.
• So, the cases of violence between them is not very uncommon.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Religious violence during the India’s partition claimed over a million lives and
displaced around 10 million people. The religious violence comprising Hindu-
Muslim communities rose to a deadlier number for about a quarter century in
the late 1970s until 2002, when the Gujarat riots happened.
• Official records provides that communal violence has been relatively stable since
2002. However, more than 2,900 cases of religious rioting were registered in the
country between 2017 & 2021.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Looking at the record of 2021, Haryana recorded the highest communal violence
cases that, is about 8 riot cases per 100,000 inhabitants.
• In 2023, as per the records, electoral violence & high-profile political
assassinations have declined significantly in India; even violence at polling
stations fell, and deaths in such cases declined by 70% between 1989 & 2019.
• The most famous cases were the two prime ministers’ assassinations- Indira
Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 and 1991, respectively.
• CAUSES OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Historical factors-The partition history of India, and the two-nation theory
generated the feeling of communalism & mistrust among communities.
• Political factors-The divide and rule policy by the Britishers, and the later
identity politics followed by the political parties have supported communal
violence.
• Educational factors- Many Indians have failed to adopt a scientific and
technological approach and couldn’t adopt much to liberal values.
• CAUSES OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Socio-economic factors-The educational backwardness has led in poor
representation of Muslim community in public services which contains the seeds
of communal violence between the communities.
• Cultural factors- Orthodox members of communities supports conservatism &
fundamentalism.
• Social media- Hate campaigns and fake news contributes to a much greater
extent towards spreading communal riots and tensions.
• Lack of strong action- Lack of strong, decisive action by police or delayed action
are also the reasons.
• INCIDENTS OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA
• 1984: Anti-Sikh riots
• Many years have passed since the 1984 riots, but the shadows of those
terrifying incidents are still witnessed on the faces of affected families.
Constantly for 5 days from Oct 31st, reports states that around 2,800 to 8,000
Sikhs were assassinated across India.
• Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards on October
31st, 1984, after which anti-Sikh riots erupted in few areas for several days,
assassinating more Sikhs across India.
• The reason for Indira’s assassination was Operation Blue Star. In the deadly
events leading up to ‘Operation Blue Star’ ordered by Indira Gandhi, the
militants supported by Bhindranwale assassinated around 165 Hindus in India.
• INCIDENTS OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA
• 1992-1993: Babri Masjid demolition/ Bombay riots
• Hindu mobs attacked and destroyed the historical Babri Mosque in Ayodhya city
of UP. A decade long unsettled political and communal land dispute was finally
decided on Nov 9, 2019, in a unanimous judgment by the 5-judge bench of the
Apex Court.
• This was the first that a constitutional bench judged a civil dispute than 2 judge
bench.
• The constitutional bench of Supreme Court gave a unanimous
judgment permitting the construction of temple at the site where once stood
the Babri Masjid.
• INCIDENTS OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN INDIA
• 2002: Gujarat riots
• On February 27th, 2002, 59 Hindu pilgrims and karsevaks returning from
Ayodhya were killed in a fire inside the Sabarmati Express near the Godhra
railway station in Gujarat, PM Modi was the CM of Gujarat at that time.
• The background of this incident is that as the train pulled away, someone pulled
the emergency brake cord when it was passing through a Muslim
neighbourhood & a Muslim mob attacked the train at that time in, which two
carriages were burnt.
• The incident led to riots in Gujarat that lasted seven days, leaving over a 1,000
dead.
• INDIAN CONSTITUTION ON COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• The Preamble of our Indian Constitution declares it as a secular state and
secures the liberty of thought expression, belief faith, and worship.
• Article 25- All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the
right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion subject to public order,
morality, and health.
• Article 26- All denominations can manage their own affairs in every matters of
religion.
• INDIAN CONSTITUTION ON COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Article 29- No discrimination would be done on the ground of religion, race,
caste, language, or any of them.
• Article 30- All minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the
right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Art 51A- This is a fundamental duty that promotes harmony and the spirit of
common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious,
linguistic, and regional or sectional diversities and to renounce practices
derogatory to the dignity of women.
• OTHER LAWS
• Several sections of the Indian penal code deals with the issues of communalism
in the country, like section 153A, 153B
• The communal Violence (Prevention, Control, and Rehabilitation of Victims) Bill,
2005, was to be enacted, but it didn’t.
• So, the Union Cabinet approved the Prevention of Communal Violence (Access
to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2004, which never came to the House, and now
there has been no talk of the law since.
• POLITICAL REASONS FOR COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• The role of political parties and leaders in mobilizing communal sentiments for
electoral gains or ideological agendas.
• The use of communal polarization as a strategy to divide and rule.
• The failure of political institutions and mechanisms to prevent or resolve
communal conflicts. The lack of accountability and impunity for perpetrators of
communal violence.
• SOCIAL CAUSES
• The existence of deep-rooted prejudices and stereotypes against different
communities.
• The lack of inter-community dialogue and trust.
• The influence of extremist groups and organizations that propagate communal
hatred and violence.
• The manipulation of religious symbols and sentiments for communal purposes.
• ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL FACTORS
• The competition for scarce resources and opportunities among different
communities.
• The perception of relative deprivation or discrimination among marginalized
groups.
• The impact of globalization and modernization on traditional livelihoods and
identities.
• The exploitation of communal grievances for economic benefits.
• The clash of values and lifestyles between different communities. The erosion
of cultural diversity and pluralism.
• The challenge posed by secularism and liberalism to religious orthodoxy and
conservatism. The appropriation or desecration of cultural heritage and sacred
sites.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE: IMPACT
• Loss of Human Lives:
• One of the most devastating consequences of communal violence
is the loss of human lives. Individuals, families, and entire
communities are torn apart by the tragedy of lives cut short,
leaving scars that last for generations.
• Destruction of Property:
 • Communal violence leads to the destruction of homes,
businesses, and places of worship.
• The economic losses resulting from this destruction can be
substantial, affecting the livelihoods of individuals and
communities.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE: IMPACT
• Social Disintegration:
• The breakdown or weakening of social cohesion, tolerance,
solidarity, etc., among different communities.
• The fabric of trust and unity that binds a society together is often
torn apart by communal violence.
• Communities that once lived in harmony can find
themselves divided along religious lines, eroding the bonds that
have held them together.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE: IMPACT
• Economic Setbacks:
• Communal violence can have significant economic ramifications.
The diversion or wastage of resources and funds.
• Investors may be hesitant to invest in areas prone to violence,
economic activities can be disrupted, and developmental projects
can be derailed, slowing down progress and growth.
• Psychological Impact:
• The trauma inflicted by communal violence extends beyond
physical harm.
• Survivors often experience psychological distress, anxiety, and
depression, affecting their overall well-being and ability to lead
fulfilling lives.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE: IMPACT
• Political Impact:
• The erosion or subversion of democracy, secularism, rule of law,
justice, etc., in India. The loss of legitimacy and credibility of
political institutions and actors.
• The increase in corruption, nepotism, patronage, violence, etc.,
in political processes. The rise or resurgence of authoritarianism,
populism, nationalism, communalism, etc.
• COMMUNAL VIOLENCE: IMPACT
• Impact on Security:
• The threat or challenge to national , regional, and international
security.
• The involvement or interference of external actors or forces in
communal conflicts.
• The spillover or escalation of communal violence across borders.
• The linkages or nexus between communal violence and other
forms of violence, such as terrorism, insurgency, militancy,
etc. The proliferation or misuse of weapons or explosives.
• SUGGESTIONS TO CURB COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Strong Legal Framework:
• The enactment or implementation of laws and policies that protect the
rights and interests of different communities.
• The prevention or prohibition of hate speech, hate crimes, communal riots,
etc. The prosecution or punishment of perpetrators or instigators of communal
violence.
• SUGGESTIONS TO CURB COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Strengthening Institutional Mechanism:
• The strengthening or reforming of political institutions and
mechanisms that deal with communal issues.
• The establishment or empowerment of independent or impartial
bodies or agencies that monitor or investigate communal
violence.
• The promotion or enhancement of transparency, accountability,
responsiveness, and inclusiveness in governance.
• SUGGESTIONS TO CURB COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Educational Reforms:
• The development or revision of curricula and textbooks
that foster a culture of peace, tolerance, respect, and diversity
among different communities.
• The training or sensitization of teachers, students, parents,
media, etc., on communal harmony and coexistence. The
creation or expansion of opportunities for inter-community
dialogue and exchange.
• SUGGESTIONS TO CURB COMMUNAL VIOLENCE
• Community Engagement:
• Local community leaders, religious figures, and civil society
organizations can play a pivotal role in promoting interfaith
dialogue and understanding.
• Grassroots efforts can foster connections that transcend religious
differences.
• Media Responsibility:
• Media outlets bear a responsibility to report objectively and
responsibly, avoiding sensationalism and biased coverage that
can fan the flames of communal tensions.
• THE WAY AHEAD
• Promoting Social Cohesion:
• Efforts should be directed toward building a strong national
identity that transcends religious affiliations.
• Celebrating cultural diversity and promoting a sense of unity can
help bridge communal divides.
• Economic Empowerment:
• Addressing economic disparities through policies that ensure
equal access to opportunities can reduce feelings of
marginalization and create a more inclusive society, alongside
youth engagement wherein youth are empowered with tools to
champion peace, tolerance, and unity is essential for nurturing a
generation that upholds these values.
• THE WAY AHEAD
• More opportunities to the study of various religious scriptures and more
platforms for inter-religious dialogues will help to eradicate religious
misconceptions and misunderstandings.
• Universities or other institutions of public interest may take initiative to conduct
such programmes.
• A permanent authority should be constituted for the promotion of inter-
religious co-operation.