Muslim League
- 1906 by Aga Khan, the Nawab of Dhaka, and Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk
- It made no critique of colonialism, supported the partition of Bengal and demanded special safeguards for the Muslims in government Services.
- ML’s political activities were directed not against the foreign rulers but against the Hindus and the INC.
- Their activities were not supported by all Muslims
- Arhar movement was founded at this time under the Leadership of Maulana Mohamed Ali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Hasan Imam, Maulana Zafar Ali Khan, and Mazhar-ul-Haq. They advocated participation in the militant nationalist movement.
Muslim Nationalists
- The war between Ottoman Empire and Italy created a wave of sympathy for Turkey
- During the war between Ottoman empire and Italy, India sent a medical mission headed by MA Ansari to help Turkey.
- As the British were not sympathetic to Turkey, the pro-Caliph sentiments in India became anti-British
- However, the militant nationalists among muslims did not accept an entirely secular approach to politics
- The most important issue they took up was not political independence but protection of the Turkish empire.
- This approach did not immediately clash with Indian nationalism. However, in the long run it proved harmful as it encouraged the habit of looking at political questions from a religious view point.
Hindu Communalism
- Some Hindus accepted the colonial view of Indian history and talked about the tyrannical Muslim rule in the medieval period
- Over language they said that Hindi was the language of Hindus and Urdu that of Muslims.
- Punjab Hindu Sabha was founded in 1909. Its leaders attached the INC for trying to unite Indians into a single nation.
- The first session of the All India Hindu Mahasabha was held in April 1915 under the presidentship of the Maharaja of Kasim Bazar.
- It however remained a weak organization because the colonial government gave it few concessions and little support.
The All-India Muslim League (AIML) was a political party in British India that advocated for the creation of a separate Muslim state. The party was founded in 1906 in Dhaka, Bengal Presidency (now Bangladesh), by a group of Muslim leaders who were concerned about the growing Hindu majority in India. The AIML’s main goal was to protect the rights of Muslims in India and to ensure that they had a say in the future of the country.
The Hindu Mahasabha was a Hindu nationalist political party in India. The party was founded in 1914 by V. D. Savarkar. The Hindu Mahasabha’s main goal was to promote Hindutva, a Hindu nationalist ideology. The party also opposed the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan.
The Indian National Congress (INC) was a political party in India that was founded in 1885. The INC was the main party that led the Indian independence movement. The INC was a secular party that advocated for a united India.
The partition of India was the division of British India into two independent dominions, India and Pakistan, on 15 August 1947. The partition was a result of the Indian independence movement and the growing Hindu-Muslim conflict in India. The partition led to the mass Migration of millions of people and the deaths of hundreds of thousands.
The Ram Janmabhoomi Babri Masjid dispute is a long-running dispute over a site in Ayodhya, India. The site is believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Rama, while Muslims believe it to be the site of a mosque, the Babri Masjid. The dispute has led to violence and communal tension in India.
The Shah Bano case was a landmark case in Indian law. The case involved a Muslim woman, Shah Bano, who was divorced by her husband. Shah Bano filed a case for maintenance from her husband, but the courts ruled against her, citing Muslim personal law. The case led to a debate about the role of religion in Indian law.
The Ayodhya dispute is a dispute over a site in Ayodhya, India. The site is believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Rama, while Muslims believe it to be the site of a mosque, the Babri Masjid. The dispute has led to violence and communal tension in India.
The Babri Masjid demolition was the destruction of a mosque in Ayodhya, India, on 6 December 1992. The demolition was carried out by a group of Hindu activists, who claimed that the mosque was built on the site of a Hindu temple. The demolition led to widespread violence and communal tension in India.
The Gujarat riots were a series of riots that took place in Gujarat, India, in 2002. The riots were triggered by the burning of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims in Godhra. The riots led to the deaths of over 1,000 people, most of whom were Muslims.
The Muzaffarnagar riots were a series of riots that took place in Muzaffarnagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India, in 2013. The riots were triggered by an incident of sexual harassment of a Muslim girl by a group of Hindu men. The riots led to the deaths of over 60 people, most of whom were Muslims.
The Delhi riots were a series of riots that took place in Delhi, India, in 2020. The riots were triggered by the Citizenship Amendment Act, which was passed by the Indian Parliament in December 2019. The riots led to the deaths of over 50 people, most of whom were Muslims.
Love jihad is a term used by some Hindu groups in India to describe interfaith marriages between Hindu Women and Muslim men. These groups allege that these marriages are part of a conspiracy to convert Hindu women to Islam. There is no evidence to support these allegations.
Ghar wapsi is a term used by some Hindu groups in India to describe the reconversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism. These groups allege that Muslims and Christians have converted to their religions under duress or coercion. There is no evidence to support these allegations.
Cow vigilantism is a term used to describe the violence and intimidation that is often carried out by Hindu groups against people who they believe are involved in the slaughter or consumption of cows. Cows are considered sacred animals in Hinduism, and the slaughter of cows is illegal in many parts of India.
Persecution of Muslims in India is a term used to describe the discrimination and violence that is often faced by Muslims in India. Muslims are the largest minority group in India, and they have faced discrimination and violence for centuries. The persecution of Muslims in India has increased in recent years, particularly under the Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modi.Hindutva is a Hindu nationalist ideology that promotes the idea of a Hindu nation.
Frequently asked question
What is communalism?
Communalism is a form of identity politics that emphasizes the importance of religious or ethnic identity over other social identities. It can lead to conflict and violence between different groups, as each group seeks to assert its own dominance.
What are the causes of communalism?
There are many factors that can contribute to the rise of communalism, including:
- Economic inequality: When there is a large gap between the rich and the poor, it can lead to resentment and anger, which can be exploited by communal leaders.
- Political instability: When there is a lack of strong democratic institutions, it can create a vacuum that is filled by communal leaders who promise to protect their followers.
- Religious extremism: When religious leaders promote intolerance and hatred towards other religions, it can create a Climate of fear and violence.
What are the effects of communalism?
Communalism can have a devastating impact on Society, leading to:
- Violence: Communal violence can take many forms, including riots, massacres, and pogroms. It can result in the deaths of thousands of people, as well as the displacement of millions more.
- Economic damage: Communal violence can also have a devastating impact on the economy, as businesses are destroyed and people are forced to flee their homes.
- Social division: Communalism can tear apart communities and families, as people are divided along religious or ethnic lines.
- Political instability: Communalism can also destabilize governments and lead to the rise of authoritarian regimes.
How can communalism be prevented?
There are a number of things that can be done to prevent communalism, including:
- Promoting economic Equality: By reducing the gap between the rich and the poor, it can help to reduce resentment and anger, which can be exploited by communal leaders.
- Strengthening democratic institutions: By strengthening democratic institutions, it can help to create a more stable and inclusive society.
- Promoting religious Tolerance: By promoting religious tolerance, it can help to create a more peaceful and harmonious society.
- Addressing the root causes of conflict: By addressing the root causes of conflict, such as POVERTY, inequality, and discrimination, it can help to prevent communal violence.
What is the role of the media in communalism?
The media can play a significant role in promoting or preventing communalism. By reporting on communal violence in a fair and balanced way, the media can help to raise awareness of the issue and promote understanding between different groups. However, if the media reports on communal violence in a sensational or biased way, it can contribute to the spread of hatred and violence.
What is the role of Education in communalism?
Education can play a vital role in preventing communalism by promoting understanding and tolerance between different groups. By teaching students about the history and culture of different religions and ethnicities, education can help to break down stereotypes and prejudices. It is also important to teach students about the dangers of communal violence and how to prevent it.
What is the role of the government in communalism?
The government has a responsibility to protect its citizens from communal violence and to promote understanding and tolerance between different groups. This can be done by passing laws that protect religious freedom and by promoting education about different religions and cultures. The government should also take steps to address the root causes of conflict, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination.
MCQs
- Which of the following was NOT a demand of the Indian National Congress?
(A) Swaraj (self-rule)
(B) Dominion status
(C) Independence
(D) Partition of India - Who was the leader of the Muslim League?
(A) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Vallabhbhai Patel - What was the name of the plan that proposed to partition India into two separate countries, one for Hindus and one for Muslims?
(A) The Mountbatten Plan
(B) The Cripps Mission
(C) The Cabinet Mission Plan
(D) The Lahore Resolution - What was the name of the event that marked the end of British rule in India?
(A) The Indian Independence Act
(B) The Partition of India
(C) The Transfer of Power
(D) The Quit India Movement - Who was the first Prime Minister of India?
(A) Jawaharlal Nehru
(B) Muhammad Ali Jinnah
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Vallabhbhai Patel - What was the name of the movement that was led by Mahatma Gandhi to achieve Indian independence?
(A) The Non-Cooperation Movement
(B) The Civil Disobedience Movement
(C) The Quit India Movement
(D) The Salt March - What was the name of the organization that was founded by Mahatma Gandhi to promote non-violent resistance to British rule?
(A) The Indian National Congress
(B) The Muslim League
(C) The Hindu Mahasabha
(D) The All-India Khilafat Committee - What was the name of the document that was signed by the British and Indian leaders on August 15, 1947, granting India independence?
(A) The Indian Independence Act
(B) The Partition of India
(C) The Transfer of Power
(D) The Quit India Movement - What was the name of the event that marked the beginning of the partition of India?
(A) The Indian Independence Act
(B) The Partition of India
(C) The Transfer of Power
(D) The Quit India Movement - What was the name of the country that was created for Muslims in the Indian subcontinent?
(A) Pakistan
(B) India
(C) Bangladesh
(D) Nepal