The essentials
Communalism is the use of religious identity as the basis of political mobilisation, often treating people of one religion as a single community with interests opposed to those of other religions. India's Constitution adopts secularism: the state does not have an official religion, treats all religions with equal respect and protects the rights of religious minorities.
The Ayodhya dispute concerned a mosque known as the Babri Masjid, built in the 16th century in Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh). Some Hindus believe it was built after demolishing a temple at the birthplace of Lord Rama. The site was the subject of a long legal dispute. In February 1986 the Faizabad district court ordered the opening of the locks of the building, and mobilisation by different groups intensified. In 1990 the BJP organised a Rath Yatra from Somnath to Ayodhya to build support for a temple.
Key points
- On 6 December 1992 the mosque was demolished by volunteers who had gathered at the site. Communal violence followed in many parts of the country.
- After the demolition the Union government dismissed the BJP governments in some states, and a commission of inquiry was set up into the events.
- In February–March 2002, after a train coach carrying volunteers returning from Ayodhya was set on fire at Godhra, large-scale violence broke out in Gujarat, mainly against Muslims. The National Human Rights Commission criticised the state government's failure to control the violence and protect victims.
- In 2019 the Supreme Court decided the title dispute over the site.
- These events show the dangers of using religion for political ends and the need for governments to protect all citizens equally, whatever their religion.
Exam tips
- Remember the key dates: 1986 (locks opened), 1990 (Rath Yatra), 1992 (demolition), 2002 (Gujarat violence).
- Be able to explain secularism and why communalism threatens democracy.
Common mistakes
- Defining secularism as hostility to religion; in India it means equal respect and state neutrality.
- Mixing up the dates of the demolition (1992) and the Gujarat violence (2002).