UPSC Mains 2017 GS1 Q19 — Communalism
Distinguish between religiousness/religiosity and communalism giving one example of how the former has got transformed into the latter in independent India. (250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Distinguishgiving one example
- Scope keywords
- religiousness/religiositycommunalismindependent Indiatransformed
- Implicit sub-parts
- Theoretical definitions and differentiation between personal faith (religiosity) and political identity (communalism).
- Identification of the 'catalysts' or triggers that turn private belief into public hostility.
- A detailed case study/example from post-1947 India illustrating the step-by-step transformation.
- The role of politicization and 'othering' in the transition process.
- Common pitfalls
- Defining communalism simply as 'religion-based riots' rather than an ideology of political/economic interests.
- Confusing secularism with the absence of religiosity; failing to show that one can be deeply religious without being communal.
- Providing multiple vague examples instead of the single, detailed 'deep-dive' example specifically requested by the prompt.
- Writing a historical essay on Partition rather than focusing on 'independent India' as specified.
- Dimensions required
- SociologicalPolitical/IdeologicalPsychological (Identity formation)Historical (Post-independence context)
- Marks allocation hint
Dedicate approximately 100 words to the conceptual distinction, focusing on intent and inclusivity versus exclusivity. Use the remaining 150 words to meticulously trace the transformation in your chosen example (e.g., the Shah Bano case leading to mobilization or the Ram Janmabhoomi movement), highlighting how spiritual sentiment was redirected toward political antagonism.
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