What is communalism? Explain five forms …

Communalism is a situation when a particular community tries to promote its own interest at the cost of other communities. Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community.
Different forms of communal politics are as follows:

a) The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. Belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions are so common. E.g.: Militant religious groups
b) A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of religious community. For those belonging to community it can take them for of a desire to form a separate political unit. E.g.: Separatist leaders and political parties in Jammu and Kashmir
c) The most frequent form of communalism is political mobilization on the religious guidelines. It attempts to bring the people of one’s religion together.  E.g.: Many politicians use this technique to influence the voters from the two largest religious communities in the country.
d) Communalism can be ugliest if it takes the shape of communal violence, riots and massacre. E.g.: India and Pakistan communal riots