Religion and Politics
Contents: Preface. 1. The concept of secularism. 2. Religionalism in Indian politics. 3. Indian politics. 4. Untouchability and Indian politics. 5. Parliamentary democracy in India. 6. Language politics in India. 7. Riots and politics. 8. Coalition and religion politics in India. References.
Religious ideology, particularly that expressed by the Hindutva movement, has strongly influenced Indian politics in the last quarter of the twentieth century. Many of the elements underlying India’s casteism and communalism originated during the rule of the British Raj, particularly after the late nineteenth century; the authorities and others often politicized religion. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (widely known as the Morley-Minto Reforms Act), which established separate Hindu and Muslim electorates for the Imperial Legislature and provincial councils, was particularly divisive. It was blamed for increasing tensions between the two communities.
Religious ideology, particularly that expressed by the Hindutva movement, has strongly influenced Indian politics in the last quarter of the twentieth century. Many of the elements underlying India’s casteism and communalism originated during the rule of the British Raj, particularly after the late nineteenth century; the authorities and others often politicized religion. The Indian Councils Act of 1909 (widely known as the Morley-Minto Reforms Act), which established separate Hindu and Muslim electorates for the Imperial Legislature and provincial councils, was particularly divisive. It was blamed for increasing tensions between the two communities.
