communalism in India Research Papers (original) (raw)

The assembly elections results of UP, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Manipur and Goa have given victory to BJP in 4 states and AAP has come to power in Punjab. In Punjab AAP seems have won as there was a serious in fighting in Congress and the SAD's... more

The assembly elections results of UP, Punjab, Uttrakhand, Manipur and Goa have given victory to BJP in 4 states and AAP has come to power in Punjab. In Punjab AAP seems have won as there was a serious in fighting in Congress and the SAD's poor record of the past. In Goa BJP was greatly helped in overcoming incumbency by the opposition disunity as apart from Congress and AAP; Mamta's Trinmul threw their hat into the ring. In Uttrakhand and Manipur the massive electoral machine put up by BJP had no competition from the Congress, despite incumbency going against BJP.

In this paper, I talk about the works of three Indian writers, namely Sarojini Naidu(1879-1949), Boman Desai (1976-Present), and Anurag Mathur (Probably 1970s-Present) with regards to their unique portrayal of India and its colorful,... more

In this paper, I talk about the works of three Indian writers, namely Sarojini Naidu(1879-1949), Boman Desai (1976-Present), and Anurag Mathur (Probably 1970s-Present) with regards to their unique portrayal of India and its colorful, mind-boggling diversity, and sometimes disappointing habits in their respective works. I have picked Naidu's poem 'The Bangle Seller', Desai's short story - 'Between the Mosque and the Temple' and Mathur's essay - 'Education: Indian and American' for this comparative analysis.

Bhagat Singh on Communal Riots and their Cure (Sampradayik dangen aur unka illaj) [First Published: in Punjabi monthly Kirti in June 1928]. This important article by great martyr BHagat Singh is relevant even today as religious... more

Bhagat Singh on Communal Riots and their Cure (Sampradayik dangen aur unka illaj) [First Published: in Punjabi monthly Kirti in June 1928]. This important article by great martyr BHagat Singh is relevant even today as religious polarization is the main trick in the hands of the rulers like the British to divide people.

If School Children were asked to write an essay on Cow in present times, it would go like this:-Cow is our new national animal. This is not yet made official. But our Government led by Sri. Narendra Modi has made it an unofficial national... more

If School Children were asked to write an essay on Cow in present times, it would go like this:-Cow is our new national animal. This is not yet made official. But our Government led by Sri. Narendra Modi has made it an unofficial national animal. Cow has four legs. The first leg is communal leg. The second leg is caste leg. The third leg is nationalist leg and the fourth leg is Hindu leg. She has two eyes. The first eye is hatred eye and the second eye is violent eye. Cow is an important political animal. She is a national animal domesticated by Bharatiya Janata Party. She provides a lot of benefits. She is a humble animal and completely unselfish. She provides political milk to BJP in the form of votes. From this political milk called votes, BJP is able to convert it into pure cow ghee called seats in assembly and parliament. Sweet is also prepared through this political milk in the form of political positions. Cow helps BJP politically so much. But she does not demand anything back in return from its masters. Cow also offers its services to its main master the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). While she offers her services, she does never question its masters RSS and BJP. Cow has been told by its masters to help maintain the caste divide in Hinduism. Cow helps in maintaining the caste divide from times immemorial. Her masters maintain laws of Manusmriti through use of Cow. Those who eat beef are put under impure category and others under pure category. Thus cow is used to create highs and lows based on beef eating practices. Cow also helps its masters to create divide between Hindus and Muslims. Her masters say that she is a sacred animal for Hindus. Anyone who is suspected of eating beef is lynched. The lynchers are offered complete protection by RSS/BJP. Cow is a non-violent animal. She is a Gandhian. But her masters are totally Non-Gandhian. They use violence using her name. Cow soldiers and body guards use her name to undertake physical attacks on Dalits and minorities. They do this in the name of protecting cow and serving its masters RSS/BJP. Cow has also become an inspiration for the Dalits. They have started pointing that they no longer want to handle the dead carcass of cow. Now they point that the upper caste of the caste divide only needs to handle them since they consider them as very sacred. Cow was used by her masters to suppress others. But now the Cow now has started shaking her own masters the RSS / BJP.

It is a review of the book

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During National Democratic Alliance rule, its leader BJP tried to project that Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was a revolutionary of extraordinary caliber and that his contribution has been ignored by the Congress so it has to be highlighted... more

During National Democratic Alliance rule, its leader BJP tried to project that Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was a revolutionary of extraordinary caliber and that his contribution has been ignored by the Congress so it has to be highlighted with vigor. It named the Port Blair airport in his name and it also put his portrait in the hall of Parliament. The word of mouth propaganda has been eulogizing him as the real Father of the Nation. Just before the Maharashtra Assembly elections a controversy erupted around him. With the change of regime at the Center, the new Petroleum minister Mani Shankar Aiyer replaced his plaque at Andaman's with that of Mahatma Gandhi. This again became a matter of controversy, the BJP-Sena alliance tried to capitalize on this for the elections. In Maharashtra in particular, Savarkar has been projected as the brave (Veer) revolutionary and efforts have been made to show that he was the guiding figure for all the great Freedom fighters apart from being a progressive person of sorts. Even Congress, whose minister, Aiyer had taken the bold step of catching the bull by horns, shivered and said that Aiyer's views are his personal.

The formation of the All-India Muslim League, the first ever Muslim political party in British India to see the light of the day, represents a watershed in the political history of the Indian subcontinent. It was, in fact, the outcome of... more

The formation of the All-India Muslim League, the first ever Muslim political party in British India to see the light of the day, represents a watershed in the political history of the Indian subcontinent. It was, in fact, the outcome of a long historical process during which the Muslims of India faced challenges at different levels, political, economic and socio-cultural. Yet, the origin of this political organisation has been a moot point among scholars. Did the British have a hand in its creation or was it a genuinely Muslim initiative? The aim of this article, therefore, is to investigate this issue as well as shed light on the circumstances that led to the birth of this party.

The following article, focussed on the analysis of the ongoing crisis of Indian democracy in the year 2020, is articulated in two parts. The first, after a synthetic summing up of how the crisis started in 2019, is an overview of the main... more

The following article, focussed on the analysis of the ongoing crisis of Indian democracy in the year 2020, is articulated in two parts. The first, after a synthetic summing up of how the crisis started in 2019, is an overview of the main developments which characterized the struggle against and for democracy in the year under review. The crushing of the anti-CAA/NRC democratic movement, the persecution of minorities, the harassing of NGOs, the attacks on journalists and the continuing repression in Kashmir are summarised. The celebration of the transformation of India from a secular democracy into a Hindu Rashtra through the inauguration of the construction of the Ram mega temple in Ayodhya is remembered. This first part ends by discussing the unexpected rise of the Indian farmers’ anti-government movement in the concluding months of the year.
The second part of the article is a case study of the repression of the anti-CAA/NRC movement. It is argued that it was pursued through fascist-like violence on the part of Hindutva thugs, abetted by the police. This culminated in the Delhi riots-turned-pogrom of February. In spite of all, the anti-CAA/NRC movement continued up to the explosion of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, which made the continuation of street manifestations and sit-ins impossible. The analysis continues through the examination of the veritable witch-hunt carried by the police, on the basis of fabricated evidence, against representative members of the anti-CAA/NRC movement and intellectuals known for their criticism of the Modi government.
In the conclusion it is argued that the political set-up prevailing in India is not a full-fledged democracy any more. Rather, it is a hybrid system which, below an outwardly democratic appearance, badly conceals its highly authoritarian nature.

"""With Swayamsevaks (volunteers) like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishan Advani in the drivers’ seats in the National Democratic Alliance Government at the Centre in India (1998-2004), the RSS accelerated its old favourite pastime of... more

"""With Swayamsevaks (volunteers) like Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishan Advani in the drivers’ seats in the National Democratic Alliance Government at the Centre in India (1998-2004), the RSS accelerated its old favourite pastime of undoing democratic-secular polity and minority bashing in India. Sarsanghchalak or Supreme Leader of the RSS, KS Sudershan while addressing a rally on the eve of 75th founding day of the RSS in Nagpur, called upon Muslims and Christians of the country to prove their patriotism. It is really atrocious that an organization, which was at least twice banned for anti-national activities by the Government of India after independence should pose as controlling authority of patriotism in the country. Should we once again refresh the memory of the RSS bosses that their rabid communal organization was banned in 1948 for collaborating in the murder of Mahatma Gandhi, and in 1992 it was again banned for demolishing Babri mosque at Ayodhya? Do we also need to tell the RSS that misadventures like demolition of Babri mosque only served the strategic goals of the enemies of India like the ISI who wished to see an India, fractured and at war with itself?
This is high time that the people of this country scrutinize the record (of patriotism and loyalty to the nation) of the RSS itself. Unfortunately, the RSS which is fond of demanding unwavering and unflinching loyalty to the Nation from minorities is neither loyal to the Constitution of India, nor to the National Flag. RSS is an organization, which openly decries the existence of a democratic, federal and secular India which are the ‘Basic’ features of the Constitution of India. In fact, it has long heritage of worshiping dictators like Hitler. It is an organization which not only openly decried the Freedom Movement against the British rule but also made fun of the great martyrs like Bhagat Singh and his companions who laid down their lives for the liberation of the Motherland. In order to know the truth we will simply have to make access to the literature and publications of the RSS specially the writings of Golwalkar (known as Guruji) who as a philosopher and guide is religiously followed by the bosses and cadres of the RSS. In this booklet we have presented fully the official viewpoints of the RSS on different aspects of Indian polity so that it cannot allege misrepresentation.
We must seriously know about the RSS today, as it is no more a fringe organization with the present BJP leaders declaring their open allegiance to the RSS. They have even told the Nation that RSS to them is what Gandhiji was to Nehru! It is a highly intriguing and dishonest parallel in the sense that Gandhiji was theoretically never disloyal to a democratic, secular and federal India. We are publishing this booklet with the hope that this Nation gets familiarized to the real face and intentions of the RSS; otherwise it may be too late to save this country.
All quotations reproduced below are from the RSS publications/literature and English translations are by the author."
Note: The material of this book is for the personal benefit of all researchers and those who are concerned about Casteism, denigration of women and theocratic politics in India. In no case commercial use is permitted."
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"""From the back-cover: This book will prove quite useful in the present times when the RSS is showing up its colours, more and more starkly, in a number of areas. The communal carnage in Gujarat has exposed the diabolical plans of RSS.... more

"""From the back-cover:
This book will prove quite useful in the present times when the RSS is showing up its colours, more and more starkly, in a number of areas. The communal carnage in Gujarat has exposed the diabolical plans of RSS. The Babri mosque demolition and riots across the country; the attempts at Brahmanisation of education and communalization of the civil services were some other instances which unmasked RSS and other affiliates of the Sangh Gang. The author traces the plans, policies and propositions of the RSS to their origins, in the words/publications of the RSS itself, so that there is no room for alleging misrepresentation.
The shameful role of the RSS in the struggle for the independence of India, its close affinity with the Fascist concepts of Hitler and Mussolini, its resulting priorities of anti-minoritiism and redressal of historical wrongs, its seeking to adopt any means to achieve political power—all these are described in detail in the book.
The author has taken pains to conclusively prove that the RSS policies will inevitably lead to the denigration of the Dalits and the marginalization of women with excerpts from the ‘Manusmriti’ which is dear to the RSS establishment. The book concludes that the RSS is out to subvert the basic democratic-secular characteristics of our Constitution.
The author is known for his frank writings about the subversive games which communal forces play in the Indian sub-continent. This book will prove to be a handbook for knowing RSS.
" Note: The material of this book is for the personal benefit of all researchers and those who are concerned about Casteism, denigration of women and theocratic politics in India. In no case commercial use is permitted."

De la caste marchande gujarati à la communauté religieuse fatimide : construction identitaire et conflits chez les daoudi bohras (ouest de l'Inde) JURY M. Gérard D. Heuzé (Directeur de la thèse) M. Michel Boivin (Rapporteur) M. Harald... more

De la caste marchande gujarati à la communauté religieuse fatimide : construction identitaire et conflits chez les daoudi bohras (ouest de l'Inde) JURY M. Gérard D. Heuzé (Directeur de la thèse) M. Michel Boivin (Rapporteur) M. Harald Tambs-Lyche (Rapporteur) M. Pierre Lachaier (Examinateur) Mme Aminah Mohammed-Arif (Examinatrice) Centre d'anthropologie sociale (CAS) Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Solidarités, Sociétés, Territoires Ecole Doctorale TESC 1

From the ancient periods, India is known for her compassion and respect for religions. This respect towards religions had been based on the fact that India became the cradle of great religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and... more

From the ancient periods, India is known for her compassion and respect for religions. This
respect towards religions had been based on the fact that India became the cradle of great religions such
as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism and welcomed Semitic religions like Christianity,
Judaism, and Islam. But the attitude of the nation has been changing from the 1980s. For a few decades
the newspapers and online media, report daily of atrocities in the name of religion and religious
fundamentalism. The growth of religious extremism is at an alarming rate and it poses serious threats
towards the secular nature of India. The writings of V.D. Savarkar and M.S. Golwalkar had been crucial
in its growth.
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) promoted Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power
for the second consecutive time in the history of the nation. The diverse cultures and minority religions
of the nation face serious threats. The atrocities against the minority religions became a day to day affair.
Recently the enforcement of the Citizenship Amendment Act and the application of the National Register
of Citizens by the BJP government add to the atrocities. This agitation against minority religions owes
its foundations and roots in the ideology of Hindutva.
To understand the threats that the ruling government of India possesses to its citizens we should
know its ideological background. The RSS and the BJP owe its ideological upbringing to the ideologies
of V.D Savarkar and M.S Golwalkar. This study gives priorities to the ideology of Hindu nationalism of
both Savarkar and Golwalkar. In the first chapter, the concepts of nationalism and Hindu nationalism are
introduced. The second chapter presents the Hindu rastra concept of Savarkar that he envisioned through
the book Hindutva. The third chapter of the study looks into the Hindu nationalist ideology of Golwalkar
that he presents through his work We or Our Nationhood Defined. After sorting out the key themes of
the Hindu nationalism of Savarkar and Golwalkar the fourth chapter sheds light on this ideology with the
help of critical evaluation.

Belligerent Hindu nationalism, accompanied by recurring communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, has become a compelling force in Indian politics over the last two decades. Ornit Shani's book examines the rise of Hindu nationalism,... more

Belligerent Hindu nationalism, accompanied by recurring communal violence between Hindus and Muslims, has become a compelling force in Indian politics over the last two decades. Ornit Shani's book examines the rise of Hindu nationalism, asking why distinct groups of Hindus, deeply divided by caste, mobilised on the basis of unitary Hindu nationalism, and why the Hindu nationalist rhetoric about the threat of the impoverished Muslim minority was so persuasive to the Hindu majority. Using evidence from communal violence in Gujarat, Shani argues that the growth of communalism was not simply a result of Hindu-Muslim antagonisms, but was driven by intensifying tensions among Hindus, nurtured by changes in the relations between castes and associated state policies. These, in turn, were frequently displaced onto Muslims, thus enabling caste conflicts to develop and deepen communal rivalries. The book offers a challenge to previous scholarship on the rise of communalism, which will be welcomed by students and professionals.

In this short essay, I have attempted to draw a sketch of the January riots of 1964 in Calcutta which was a fall out of the Hajratbal Incident (theft of holy relic of Prophet from Kashmir) though the story was not so linear. The riots did... more

In this short essay, I have attempted to draw a sketch of the January riots of 1964 in Calcutta which was a fall out of the Hajratbal Incident (theft of holy relic of Prophet from Kashmir) though the story was not so linear. The riots did not begin when the theft happened; rather it was initiated after its recovery. Hence the essay takes a closer look on the genesis and functioning of the 1964 riots in Calcutta and also put forward a pertinent question: to what extent the question of maintaining a peaceful balance between communities is the responsibility of state alone? How much role the crowd have in instrumenting communal disturbances and reconciliation? This essay is formed on the basis of first-hand readings of newspaper proceedings since comprehensive work on this topic is very limited.

A variety of interpretations were advanced regarding communalism/communitarianism and its dimensions in Modern India over the past several decades. Similarly, various reasons have been advanced in an effort to understand its origins and... more

A variety of interpretations were advanced regarding communalism/communitarianism and its dimensions in Modern India over the past several decades. Similarly, various reasons have been advanced in an effort to understand its origins and growth. This essay shall look at the various theories in detail.

A variety of interpretations were advanced regarding communalism/communitarianism and its dimensions in Modern India over the past several decades. Similarly, various reasons have been advanced in an effort to understand its origins and... more

A variety of interpretations were advanced regarding communalism/communitarianism and its dimensions in Modern India over the past several decades. Similarly, various reasons have been advanced in an effort to understand its origins and growth. This essay shall look at the various theories in detail.

Many a debates are raging in various circles related to Ambedkar’s ideology. On one hand the RSS combine has been very active to prove that RSS ideology is close to Ambedkar’s ideology. In this direction RSS mouth pieces Organizer... more

Many a debates are raging in various circles related to Ambedkar’s ideology. On one hand the RSS combine has been very active to prove that RSS ideology is close to Ambedkar’s ideology. In this direction RSS mouth pieces Organizer (English) and Panchjanya (Hindi) brought out
special supplements on the occasion of anniversary of Ambedkar, praising him. This is very surprising as RSS is for Hindu nation while Ambedkar has pointed out that Hindu Raj will be the biggest calamity for Dalits.
The second debate is about Ambedkar-Gandhi. This came to forefront with Arundhati Roy’s introduction to Ambedkar’s
‘Annihilation of Caste’ published by Navayana. In her introduction ‘Doctor and the Saint’ Roy is critical of Gandhi’s various ideas.
This digest brings together some of the essays and articles by various scholars-activists on the theme. Hope this will help us clarify the underlying issues.
Ram Puniyani
(All India Secular Forum)
Mumbai
June 2015

The MHRD has decided to drop the chapters on citizenship, nationalism, secularism, Federalism etc from the syllabus to trim it,

While this chapter must deal particularly with the period 2002-9, it is imperative to locate the trends in terms of what has gone before, in order for us to understand the kinds of shift s that have come about as well as why the... more

While this chapter must deal particularly with the period 2002-9, it is imperative to locate the trends in terms of what has gone before, in order for us to understand the kinds of shift s that have come about as well as why the literature takes particular turns. Th erefore, I begin by saying a little about notable frameworks in the sociology of religion and how these relate to ideas about cultural pluralism in India.

Here is a book of a selection from all that I wrote in newspapers since 1992 and until 2013 and compiled into a book in 2014

Dominant discourses on the phenomenon of Communalism resulting in the partition of the subcontinent have often talked of it in terms of ‘Muslim Separatism’. Investigations into Muslim separatist tendencies do not tell the whole story.... more

Dominant discourses on the phenomenon of Communalism resulting in the partition of the subcontinent have often talked of it in terms of ‘Muslim Separatism’. Investigations into Muslim separatist tendencies do not tell the whole story. Through this paper, I have tried to describe the process by which the upper-caste Bengali Hindu middle class, referred to as the bhadralok class – bhadralok simply means a respectable man in Bengali – increasingly veered towards a politics marked by communalism. The changing political context from the 1920s onwards, characterized by greater democratization of organized politics with the Non Cooperation Movement and later through the implementation of the Government of India Act 1935, the implementation of separate electorates through the Communal Award of 1932 which brought a Krishak Praja Party – Muslim League coalition into power in Bengal, had in a way jeopardized the prominence and power of the bhadralok. Thus, a shift towards communal politics seemed the most convenient option for them.

Being around fifteen per cent of the total population of India, Indian Muslims constitute a significant minority that cannot be ignored by the political parties in India. Since partition, the Muslims were considered traditional Indian... more

Being around fifteen per cent of the total population of India, Indian Muslims constitute a significant minority that cannot be ignored by the political parties in India. Since partition, the Muslims were considered traditional Indian National Congress (INC) constituency, but the failure of the INC to stop the demolition of Babri mosque and Gujarat massacre pushed Muslims to look for other options. In this study, the impact of communal violence on the voting behaviour of Indian Muslims is studied with the help of a comparative study of Muslim voting patterns in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Kerala. This paper argues that the electoral performance of Muslims and their supported party or coalition has a direct bearing on the communal violence against them. By conducting the comparative study of the electoral behaviour of Muslim voters in these three states, it is observed that the most important factor in this performance is the choices they get in a particular state. The political clout and bargaining position of Muslim voters is much better in a coalition system than in a two-party contest and they can play their cards more successfully if they have their own political party as they have in Kerala. This paper also looks at the role of police in communal violence and its relationship with electoral politics.

Narendra Modi who is chief minister of a state in India functioning as a constitutional authority under a democratic-secular constitution of India. However, he declares himself to be a 'Hindu Nationalist' trained by RSS and a practitioner... more

Narendra Modi who is chief minister of a state in India functioning as a constitutional authority under a democratic-secular constitution of India. However, he declares himself to be a 'Hindu Nationalist' trained by RSS and a practitioner of Hindutva politics. This is bizarre. In this open letter he is being reminded that it was a group of 'Hindu Nationalists' which assassinated MK Gandhi, regarded by many as Father of the Indian Nation. The RSS/Hindutva documents are quoted in this letter showing that they do not believe in a democratic-secular set-up. This group decries Indian National Flag, sympathises with Nazis/Fascists and wants India to be ruled by one ideology and one leader.They want to impose Code of Manu and make women and Dalits slaves. It is hoped that Modi will respond to the issues raised in this letter.
July 17, 2013.

Nehru may not have succeeded in achieving all that he set out to do, but his contributions have been foundational in building India as a secular, democratic republic which would have a socialistic “common sense.” Today the Nehruvian... more

Nehru may not have succeeded in
achieving all that he set out to do,
but his contributions have been
foundational in building India as
a secular, democratic republic
which would have a socialistic
“common sense.” Today the
Nehruvian ideals and institutions
are under threat. A survey of
Nehru’s life and work argues
for the centrality of his
contribution to making India
the only postcolonial state
which experienced
democratic development.

The study aims at enliightening the history of the language conflicts in South Asia, starting with the language classification in the 19th century, particularly the role that their politisation have played in colonial South Asia and still... more

The study aims at enliightening the history of the language conflicts in South Asia, starting with the language classification in the 19th century, particularly the role that their politisation have played in colonial South Asia and still play in independant India in conjunction with the politisation of religious "communalism".

The secular-democratic polity of India has been besieged with challenges ever since its birth on 15 August 1947. It was born as an independent nation in the midst of unprecedented communal violence, mayhem and destruction of life and... more

The secular-democratic polity of India has been besieged with challenges ever since its birth on 15 August 1947. It was born as an independent nation in the midst of unprecedented communal violence, mayhem and destruction of life and property. The communal polarisation had ravaged the subcontinent even before the birth of an independent Indian nation. The independence of India after many centuries of repressive colonial rule should have been an occasion of great jubilation. Unfortunately, the partition of the country following the Two-nation theory propagated by the Muslim League turned the birth of a secular-democratic India into a dreadful nightmare. Interestingly, this was done in the name of nationalism. However, the people of India, despite the creation of Pakistan on the eastern and western sides of the country on the basis of religion, had a significant reason to celebrate Independence as India chose to be a non-theocratic state and declared its commitment to a secular-democratic polity. Undeniably, there were serious theoretical as well as practical weaknesses in this claim; nevertheless, it was a brave, historic and revolutionary commitment. In a situation where the Muslim League, under the leadership of Mohammed Ali Jinnah, had succeeded in dismembering India ruled by the British, thus legitimizing the thesis that each religious community constituted a separate nation too, the commitment to a secular India was indeed praiseworthy.
The partition of a united India was the tragic culmination of a long and ferocious struggle between organizations like the Indian National Congress (hereafter referred to as Congress) and the Muslim League, with the British rulers playing the game of favouring Two-nation theory. The choice of a non-theocratic state by the Congress leadership immediately after Independence was not the result of appeasement of religious minority groups, but rather a continuation of the anti-colonial legacy of the Congress which stood for a secular-democratic India. Congress’s “inclusionary nationalism” challenged the Muslim League’s “exclusionary communalism” believing that nations were not constituted merely out of religious identities. The predominantly Hindu leadership of the Congress, rising above emotional and communal feelings, arrived at a consensus that a theocratic state would be inherently antithetical to democracy and could not guarantee the stability and progress of a nation. There were hard facts available in abundance to prove the veracity of the Congress’ thesis, or that of those who opposed the Two-nation theory. For example, despite the creation of Pakistan in the name of Islam, a majority of Muslims chose to remain in India on the eve of partition. Thus, India became the country with the second largest Muslim population in the world after Indonesia, a reality that has not changed even today. On the other hand, Nepal ruled by a Hindu King with a population of more than 90% Hindus remained a separate nation. No one claimed that since the populations of both Nepal and India were predominantly Hindus, they should have formed one nation.
It is true that the Muslim League’s juggernaut was successful in achieving its objective of dividing India on communal lines but it is also true that all Muslims did not subscribe to its philosophy. There were popular Muslim leaders like Allah Baksh, having a large following among common Muslims all over India, who vocally opposed the Two-nation theory and challenged the very basis of Muslim communal politics.
However, the crucial reality should not be overlooked that it was not only the Muslim League which believed in the Two-nation theory. There had been a highly vocal and aggressive section amongst Hindus, long before the Independence of the country, which believed that India was primordially a Hindu nation and only Hindus could be the natural inhabitants of this holy land. The RSS and Hindu Mahasabha were two such prominent organizations. These forces continue to present a serious threat to secular-democratic polity of India. Their game-plan is discussed in details here.