UPSC Mains Answer: Distinguish betwæn religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (250 words)

Difficulty Level: Hard

Pre-requisite: Understanding of the philosophical and sociological distinctions between personal faith (religiosity) and its politicized form (communalism), along with a timeline of post-independence India’s communal history, including key events like the Partition (194

Sub-category: Post-Independence Consolidation and Reorganization within the Country (Society and Social Issues)

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Religiousness, or religiosity, refers to an individual’s personal faith, spiritual beliefs, and devotion to religious practices without any intent to impose these beliefs on others or create social divisions. It is characterized by inner piety, moral conduct, and a sense of universal brotherhood, transcending narrow identities. For instance, the teachings of Swami Vivekananda emphasized spiritual unity and service to humanity, reflecting pure religiousness. In contrast, communalism is a politicized and exclusionary interpretation of religion, where religious identity is weaponized to foster division, hatred, and conflict among communities. It thrives on the notion of 'othering' and often leads to violence or social fragmentation, as seen in the mobilization of religious identities for electoral gains or territorial dominance.
A stark example of religiousness transforming into communalism in independent India is the evolution of the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. Initially, the reverence for Lord Rama was a matter of personal faith and cultural heritage, deeply embedded in the religiousness of millions. However, over time, this sentiment was exploited by political actors to polarize communities, culminating in the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 and subsequent communal riots. What began as a spiritual devotion was distorted into a tool for communal mobilization, illustrating how religiousness can be hijacked to serve divisive agendas.
To prevent such transformations, it is imperative to promote secular education, interfaith dialogue, and constitutional values that uphold the dignity of all citizens. Only by fostering an environment of mutual respect and inclusivity can India safeguard its pluralistic ethos and prevent the perversion of religiousness into communalism.