Question

What is meant by communalism?

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Communalism is a political and social attitude in which a person's religious community becomes the main basis of their identity and loyalty, often placed above their identity as a citizen of the country.

Step 2: How it plays out.
It leads people to see other religious communities as rivals or even enemies, and it is often used by political groups to gain support by dividing voters along religious lines rather than on shared national or economic concerns.

Step 3: Its effect on society.
In its extreme form, communalism can lead to prejudice, discrimination, and violent conflict between religious groups, weakening the sense of shared national identity that is needed to hold a diverse country together.

Final Answer:
Communalism means treating religious community identity as the primary basis of political loyalty, often at the cost of unity with people from other religions.