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Jihad in India: How Colonial-era Sectarian Violence Created Modern Social Fissures.
Communal violence is ubiquitous in today's global context, particularly in India, Pakistan and other pluralistic societies, where it is often closely tied to religious and ethnic identities. This violence is not new; its roots can be traced back to the legacy of colonial times. During this history, colonial powers not only managed, but exploited divisions between communities to maintain their rule and exacerbate antagonisms, thus fostering today’s social rifts.
Historical Background of Sectarian Violence
Communal violence is a form of violence that cuts across ethnic or religious lines, where the perpetrators act based on a sense of solidarity with their group and the victims are selected based on group membership. This violence is not limited to ethnic or religious conflicts, but also includes riots and conflicts between different social groups. According to the definition of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, sectarian violence includes various forms of conflict within a community related to religion or ethnicity, but does not include conflict between individuals or families.
Colonial-era manipulation
During the colonial era, European colonizers often exploited divisions among communities to consolidate their control. For example, during the British rule in India, the colonial authorities divided India’s religious and ethnic groups in the name of “communalism” and thus gained a basis for antagonizing each party. Through laws such as the Morley-Minto Acts, the colonial government not only codified communalism but also further exacerbated tensions between different religions, culminating in several bloody incidents of violence during the partition of India in 1947.
Sect violence is often accompanied by social unrest and political instability, and it is precisely the powerlessness of the times that makes certain sects more easily incited to hate each other.
Examples of sectarian violence in India
Since British rule, sectarian conflicts have continued to occur in India. Especially between 1946 and 1947, violence in India resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people. Historians believe that the root cause of these violent acts is not only the changes in social structure, but also the jealousy and exploitation of British colonists. They often use prejudice against a certain religious group to intensify existing community conflicts and incite people.
During the colonial period, British tactics made communication between different communities almost nonexistent, leading to the scourge of ethnic cleansing.
The impact of colonial legacy on contemporary society
Even today, these early communal conflicts continue to shape the social fabric of many countries. In India in particular, the specter of sectarian violence still looms large and trust between communities has been completely destroyed by a history of violence and discrimination. This is not only rooted in historical memory, but also continues to influence social development in a new wave of political relations.
Current Status and Future Challenges
In the context of social diversity, seeking common identity and understanding is a top priority. When society faces public issues, a joint agenda across communities is the key to resolving the current crisis. However, such coalitions are often blocked by vested interests and social extremism. How to build lasting peace and reduce tensions between communities in a multicultural society will be a key challenge that will determine our future.
The real challenge lies in how to transcend these historical traumas and find opportunities for reconciliation in a changing society.
Reflections and the road ahead
In contemporary society, dialogue based on understanding and respect is particularly important. In the face of long-standing community divisions, we must re-examine our respective identities and develop a politics of inclusion based on those identities. In such an effort, can we find a path that transcends historical trauma and brings lasting peace and prosperity?
