COMMUNAL RIOTS IN INDIA – A DETAILED ANALYSIS

COMMUNAL RIOTS IN INDIA – A DETAILED ANALYSIS

This rough draft is Submitted in partial fulfilment in the subject of Legal Methods
and Research Methodology for completion of the degree B.A., LL.B.(Hons.)

Submitted to: Submitted by:

Mr. Vijayant Sinha Ayush Kumar Gupta
Ms. Sadaf Fahim Roll: 2725
B.A., LL.B.(Hons.)
Semester: 1st
September, 2021

Chanakya National Law University, Patna

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 COMMUNAL RIOTS IN INDIA – A DETAILED ANALYSIS

INTRODUCTION
Communal violence involves people belonging to two or more different religious or ethnic
communities mobilized against each other and carrying the feelings of hostility, emotional fury,
exploitation, social discrimination and social neglect. The high degree of cohesion in one
community against another is built around tension and polarization. The targets of attack are the
members of the ‘enemy’ community. Generally, there is no leadership in communal riots which
could effectively control and contain the riot situation. It could thus be said that communal
violence is based mainly on hatred, enmity and revenge.
India is also witnessing a large number of communal/religious riots cases. The recent ones are
from Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Karnataka, but
these are only the latest examples, we are seeing a general trend for the last several years, where
people are increasingly getting more hateful in the name of religion. Minister of state for Home
Affairs Nityanand rai informed the parliament that during the period from 2016 to 2020 around
3400 communal riots took place in India. A pattern is emerging from these riots, A mob carries
weapons and swords and takes out a rally some of them would insult other religions, some would
throw stones, some would claim that outsiders were bought in specifically for rioting, some
politicians and ‘religious’ people would give violent speeches and many more. But the
repercussions of these acts affects everybody, from a common people to the whole country.

The seeds of the present communal violence were sown in the aftermath of the freedom struggle
and Partition. The partition of Bengal on communal lines by Lord Curzon in 1905 can be
considered as an attempt by the British to communalise Indian society and the political structure.
The formation of Muslim League in 1906, and the introduction of separate electorates on
communal lines in 1909 through the Morley-Minto reforms and the creation of Hindu
Mahasabha in 1915 is believed to be the beginning of modern day communalism in India. The
two-nation theory adopted by the Muslim League led to the division of this country into two
separate sovereign nations.

There are some major factors which are Responsible for communal riots violence in India:
Historical Factors: The history of Partition and the two-nation theory have generated a deep
sense of communalism and lack of mutual trust among both the communities. It discouraged a
harmonious association and peaceful co-existence.

Political Factors: Divide and rule policy practiced by the British and the subsequent vote-bank
politics followed by Indian political parties after Independence have added to the divide between
the communities. Lack of liberal, progressive and modern attitude in both communities has also
weakened the cause of communal harmony.
Educational Factors: There is lack of modern education among a large section of Indian
society. A majority of Indians failed to adopt a scientific and technological approach, hence are
reluctant to adopt liberal, progressive values.
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 COMMUNAL RIOTS IN INDIA – A DETAILED ANALYSIS

Social Media Factors: Negative impact of social media in spreading rumours, disinformation,
hate-campaign and fanning violence.

Lack of Strong Action: Lack of strong and decisive action by police and allegations of biased or
delayed action by them are also a cause. Real perpetrators are rarely punished and there is lack of
fear of law that could prevent them from instigating communal riots.
Also, there are many consequences caused by communal riots in India, The greatest sufferers of
communal violence are the innocent common people who get caught inextricably into
circumstances beyond their control. There is an avoidable loss of life and essential public
property gets damaged. It lends to hooliganism, and the situation is often exploited by anti social
elements by plundering and indulging in activities only for their personal gains. The anti national
elements get adequate opportunity to fan anti national feelings and work on creating an
atmosphere to break the cohesiveness of our society.
So, now there arises questions that how to handle/curb this communal riots violence what are
those possible factors which can prevent this menace, some of the solutions are given here,
Quick and appropriate decisions by the administration. After identifying the type, stage and
gravity of the disturbance, must take immediate actions to mitigate the losses and be proactive to
requisition and move the resources and detain personnel with provocative behaviour. Police
forces especially trained for the purpose must be promptly deployed in adequate numbers with
requisite equipment and proper gear to handle situation at the physical, as well as emotional level
and there are also some socio-legal solutions as well.

Finally, the basic reason for all communal disturbances is the communal atmosphere pervading
the country and the communal tension built up between different communities.
The communal atmosphere provides a ready-tilled soil for communal minded people to sow
seeds of communal hatred and nurture them until the bitter harvest of communal violence is
reaped.
We as an evolving society, especially the youth, need to unite together to fight the communal
forces and rise above the pettiness for the sake of humanity and for the security of our great
nation.

Literature Review:
The researcher has not gone through any Books for literature Review.

Statement of problem:
The statement of problem is to study about communal riots and to find out the reasons of
communal violence in India and their possible solutions.

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 COMMUNAL RIOTS IN INDIA – A DETAILED ANALYSIS

Research Objectives:
i. To elaborate the communal Riots situation of India.
ii. To highlight the historical background of communal riots.
iii. To show the factors responsible for communal riots in India.
iv. To pointed out some consequences of communal riots.
v. To highlight points to curb the menace of communal violence.

Research Question:

i. What is Communal Riots?

ii. What is the Historical Background of communal riots in India?
iii. What are the factors Responsible for Communal Riots in India?
iv. What could be the consequences of communal riots in India?
v. What could be the possible ways to prevent this communal violence in India?

Hypotheses:

i. The communal riots menace is a serious issue which requires a full stop, otherwise the
gravity of this problem can exterminate the societal as well as the security of the Nation.
ii. There are humane ways to curb this prevailing situation in India.

Scope and limitation of the study:

The scope of this project is to analyse the communal riots menace happening in India , and the
limitation is to study the reasons behind communal riots.

Sources of Data:
i. Zaeem jifri, Communal Violence, SLIDE SHARE (04 September 2022, 10:50 PM),
https://www.slideshare.net/ZaeemJifri/communal-violence-192750494
ii. Manali C, Essay on Communal Violence in India, INDIA ESSAYS, (04 September 2022,
11:25 PM), https://www.indiaessays.com/essays/india/violence/essay-on-communal-
violence-in-india/15094
iii. Col DJS Chahal, The Causes, Consequences and Steps to Handle Communal Violence,
OLIVE GREENS INSTITUTE, (05 September 2022, 04:25 PM),
https://www.olivegreens.co.in/blog/the-causes-consequences-and-steps-to-handle-
communal-violence
iv. The researcher has hewn to Blue Book Citation (20th Edition) in this project report.

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 COMMUNAL RIOTS IN INDIA – A DETAILED ANALYSIS

Tentative Chapterization:
i. Introduction.
ii. India’s situation with communal Riots.
iii. Historical Background.
iv. Factors responsible for communal riots.
v. Consequences of communal violence.
vi. Steps for prevention of communal violence.
vii. Conclusion.

Bibliography:
i. Zaeem jifri, Communal Violence, SLIDE SHARE (04 September 2022, 10:50 PM),
https://www.slideshare.net/ZaeemJifri/communal-violence-192750494
ii. Manali C, Essay on Communal Violence in India, INDIA ESSAYS, (04 September 2022,
11:25 PM), https://www.indiaessays.com/essays/india/violence/essay-on-communal-
violence-in-india/15094
iii. Col DJS Chahal, The Causes, Consequences and Steps to Handle Communal Violence,
OLIVE GREENS INSTITUTE, (05 September 2022, 04:25 PM),
https://www.olivegreens.co.in/blog/the-causes-consequences-and-steps-to-handle-
communal-violence