COMMUNALISM AND ITS LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: A HUMAN RIGHTS-CENTRIC APPROACH

AUTHOR –  R.DINESH KUMAR, LLM SCHOLAR AT DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND DUTIES EDUCATION, SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE IN LAW,TNDALU,CHENNAI

BEST CITATION – R.DINESH KUMAR, COMMUNALISM AND ITS LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: A HUMAN RIGHTS-CENTRIC APPROACH, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 4 (1) OF 2025, PG. 628-635, APIS – 3920-0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230

ABSTRACT

India’s social cohesion and togetherness are seriously threatened by communalism, a divisive ideology based on religious and cultural divides. It feeds on dividing people, inciting hostility, and weakening the secular values that the Indian Constitution upholds. The effects of communalism are extensive and impact many facets of national life. Economic advancement is hampered by communalism because resources are shifted from development to security and dispute resolution. It impedes economic progress, inhibits investment, and interferes with corporate operations. It erodes societal ideals such as harmony, tolerance, and respect, which causes social discontent and divisiveness. One common consequence of communalism is communal violence, which upends social order and induces severe psychological trauma while also resulting in fatalities, property destruction, and community dislocation. Politically, communalism subverts democratic establishments by taking advantage of religious feelings in order to get votes. It causes vote banks to be formed based on religious affinities, which taints democracy and jeopardizes the integrity of government. Effective policy design and implementation are impeded by communal politics, which frequently give precedence to sectarian interests over national ones. The rich fabric of Indian culture, which is distinguished by its variety and pluralism, is eroded by communalism. It encourages a restricted and exclusive interpretation of cultural and religious traditions, silencing dissident voices and inhibiting free thought. Cultural heritage places and symbols are frequently the subject of communal violence, which destroys priceless objects and wipes out historical memory. Communalism poses a severe threat to India’s goals as a nation. It impedes the advancement and development of the nation by undermining the values of social justice, democracy, and secularism.

KEY WORDS: National interests, social fabric, democratic institutions, interfaith dialogue, secularism.