Communalism

Asghar Ali Engineer links communalism with the conflicts of the elites of communities. Communalism is described as a tool of mobilize people for / against by raising an appeal on communal lines.

Hussain Shaheen views that if a person is deprived of her/his rights or privileges just on the basis of her/his community, this would constitute communalism.

Abdul Ahmed describes communalism as a social phenomenon characterized by the religion of two communities, often leading to acrimony, tension and even riots between them. In its latest manifestation, communalism amounts to discrimination against a religious group in matters of employment, education, commerce, politics, etc.

Prabha Dixit explains communalism as a political doctrine which makes use of religious and cultural differences to achieve political ends.

Pandav holds communalism as primarily an ideological theme which is appropriated by the dominant as well as dominated class for reactionary and progressive reasons respectively.

Bipan Chandra holds that communalism is the product of a particular society, economy and polity, which divides people on the basis of religious and economic differences.

Thus, communalism is an ideological tool for propagation of economic and political interests. It is an instrument in the hands of the upper class to concentrate power by dividing people.