aimed at dividing the Hindus and Muslims. It was based on the notion that the political and economic interests of Hindus and Muslims were separate.
This later became a potent factor in the growth of communalism
It isolated the Muslims from the Nationalist Movement and encouraged separatist tendencies
The real purpose of the reforms was to confuse the moderate nationalists, to divide nationalist ranks and to check the growth of unity among Indians
Response of Moderates
They realized that the reforms had not granted much
However, they decided to cooperate with the government in working the reforms
This led to their loss of respect among the nationalists and masses
Growth of Communalism
Definition
Communalism is the belief that because a group of people follow a particular religion they have, as a result, common secular, that is, social, political and economic interests.
Second stage: Secular interests of followers of one religion are dissimilar and divergent from the interests of the followers of another religion
Third stage: The interests of the followers of different religions or of different religious communities are seen to be mutually incompatible, antagonistic and hostile.
Communalism is not a remnant of the medieval period. It has its roots in the modern colonial socio-economic political structure.
Divide and Rule
After 1857, British initially suppressed Indian muslims. However, after the publishing of Hunter’s book ‘The Indian Mussalman’ they actively followed the policy of divide and rule and hence started supporting the Muslims.
They promoted provincialism by talking of Bengal domination
Tired to use the caste structure to turn the non-brahmins against Brahmins and the lower caste against the higher castes.
It readily accepted communal leaders as authentic representatives of all their co-religionists.
Reasons for growth of communal tendencies in Muslims
Relative backwardness: educationally and economically
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