On communal politics in India…

Studies conducted over the years points to some revealing reasons (Horowitz) as to why riots happen, first and foremost, is when people get into mob psychology- a sense of reduced personal risk, maximize destruction while minimizing personal liabilities. When there is a reduced risk of punishment by government agencies or retaliation by the targeted group. Second, is a sense of personal justification Rioters not only saw their cause as righteous, but as an act of defense (even if preemptively) against a perceived imminent and grave threat. Also as an opportunity to correct a perceived social, economic, or political wrong against their own ethnic group or other deviant association to define community. Thereby communal riots provide an opportunity for the release of built-up group or communal tensions and anger. Third, Horowitz noted that research indicated that rioters in general shared hatred of the targeted religious/ethnic group. This usually was manifested by an obsessive type of hatred where the rioters believed that all members of the targeted group thought the same way on socio-economic and political issues and felt a sense of general repulsion of the religious/ethnic group overall.

It is also observed that after each riot communal/caste/divisive parties become stronger in that area. Pattern before the riots point to sentiments of hatred against the ‘other’ that act as a fertile soil in which events can be given a communal twist. So many an events can take place in the society but unless the inherent hatred for the other is there they cannot be translated into violent episodes (this is an important point). Add to this a vicious ingredient-the leaders, the politicians, who are on the look out for the chance to convert a human tragedy into a ladder for their political opportunity, into enhancement of communal/caste agenda, into converting it into a riot.

A skirmish reaches a proportion of riot when powerful people are competing for political or economic space. In most cases these factors coalesce, it is known fact that most riots have happened in industrial towns with multi religious background (whether Meerut, Baroda or Coimbatore). Communal politics have spread beyond economics towards garnering votes- through focus on religious/caste identities and perceived threats (Asghar Ali Engineer’s study in last many points to these). Parties that represent elites within ethnic groups use protests, demonstrations and physical attacks that precipitate riots in order to encourage members of their wider ethnic category to identify with their party rather than a party that is identified with economic redistribution or some ideological agenda. Riots or hate speech therefore makes its easier. It takes away the attention from issues that matter to common people.

However it need be noted that the number of communal riots have gone down in last decade or so and the main reason is the nature and compulsions of politics- the growing competitiveness for votes. In the last decade or so the regional parties, and parties mobilizing weaker sections, have become more assertive- forces that cannot be taken lightly. Elite section may talk negative about third or fourth fronts (probably because it scares them since they don’t know where to work on PR or contacts, two party system is an easy option for them. They love this A Vs B binary narration. The fact though is it doesn’t reflect the reality of this nation. The reality is complex, very much chaotic) but for common people it is a positive thing, since apart from other things-like making the system more representative.. Since “vote banks” is not assured for major/national political parties, competition for minority/caste votes increases the incentives for governments to prevent anti-minority/caste violence. Studies suggest that multiparty political system leads to lesser chances of communal riots, since polarizing parties understand the need for working relation, and minorities become an important swing vote. A riot breaks that possibility therefore they become cautious. A multiparty system creates a system wherein polarizing politicians either don’t succeed or eventually stop trying to divide communities by provoking and fomenting violence.

The gist here is that the party representing elite from a section that can potentially unite a majority of voters will have a greater incentive to foment polarizing events and riots in order to solidify its vote. Democratic governments led by any party will prevent riots when they depend for votes directly or indirectly upon various sections. Greater number of parties leads to fewer communal riots.

A word of caution: Large number of political parties does have impact on national politics in positive way but at the local-micro level this leads to polarization that could turn communal. Though politicians and elite have major role in communalising/casteing society for power as they have a control (it is interesting to note that "first communal riot" took place in Ahmedabad in 1713, next 1730 and so on…during the reign of fanatic Aurangzeb), but the riot doesn’t spread or endorsed if common people are not polarized. It is therefore important to understand the socio-cultural factors. Horowitz study points to a major cause for riots to spread, an innocuous incident gets communal color, when the “other” as object of hatred is constructed by prejudices or that the “targeted ethnic group thought the same way on socio-economic and political issues”, the perceived threat.

The reality of similar socio-economic condition (that is exploited by the elite) becomes evident when the societies are not polarized or live in siege. Studies have shown that neighborhood-level social structures can provide an important opportunity for everyday inter religious/ethnic interaction that is helpful in combating perceptions by individuals that all members of a certain religious/ethnic group think or felt the same way about controversial social, religious, economic, or political issues. Multi-religious associations, formal and informal relations between people have played a significant role in preventing riots in otherwise sensitive areas (Dharavi being an excellent example), thus preventing the sinister plans of elite. It need be noted here how women who were victims or sufferers from the divides were able to come together to prevent further deterioration. It is the people who suffer who have to understand and evolve without being dependent on outsiders- elite, who exploit the situation some by playing savior others by exasperating the situation. It is for the people concerned to find their unique ways. State though should see that rioter’s doesn’t get the feeling of “reduced risk of punishment”, the law enforcement and prosecution has to be stringent. Unfortunately there is a serious lacuna and perpetrators of heinous crimes get away, even political leaders who incite people go scot-free. 

It need be pointed that the popular culture in particular movies also play a very significant role in bringing people together, as also a source for entertainment from otherwise dreary life. Popular movies and other culture references of common people are significant in keeping the socio-cultural fabric intact. Elite section might smirk (that is the only thing these morons can do, their reference is west) but popular Hindi movies –also referred to as bollywood movies, and blockbuster regional movies have played a very significant role in shaping and consolidating secular attitude (the so called art movies with few exceptions are presumptuous and quite mediocre that rightfully nobody is interested, I guess these pretentious people could watch some Iranian movies to start with), though not necessarily liberal or sophisticated. Popular songs do soften people, may not make them contemplative but surely lightens their life thus chance of hatred for others/surroundings are minimized (any guess why Taliban is against music?!!). This blogger intends to end this piece by recalling a scene from a movie that apparently is nonsensical if you use your mind: An injured old woman is getting blood transfusion from three people at the same instance (!!) she is not aware that they are her children –Amar, Akbar, Anthony (Hindu, Muslim, Christian). This affects most Indian people in a way no intellectual crap on secularism can. Popular movies have had a significant impact on the narration of this nation (the recent shift towards mall movies therefore is a cause of concern, as their reference is western sensibilities-mistaken for modern. Its premise in most cases is defined by consumerism or market compulsions). The reason why India is relatively peaceful and accommodating needs to be understood from these popular references, myths.