Скачать или смотреть Communalism and Secularism in India | Society for UPSC

In this video, we undertake a conceptual and analytical study of Communalism and Secularism as core themes of Indian Society, which are highly relevant for UPSC GS-I (Society) and also for ethical and governance perspectives.
The discussion begins with Communalism, where the concept is explained not merely as religious difference, but as a politicised social ideology that converts religious identity into a tool of power. Communalism is examined as a challenge to social harmony, national integration, democratic values, and constitutional morality.
The video incorporates key thinkers’ perspectives to deepen conceptual clarity. Rajni Kothari is discussed to explain how communalism grows when religion is transformed from a personal belief system into an organised political instrument. His ideas help in understanding communalism as a modern political phenomenon rather than a purely traditional one.
Further, Bipan Chandra’s analytical model of Communalism is explained in detail, including:
Communal Consciousness
Liberal Communalism
Extreme Communalism
To strengthen analytical depth, the video also covers different forms of Communalism, such as:
Assimilationist Communalism
Welfarist Communalism
Linguistic Communalism
Separatist Communalism
Secessionist Communalism
These categories help aspirants understand how communalism adapts itself to changing socio-political contexts instead of disappearing in modern society.
The second half of the video focuses on Secularism in India, presented as a distinct constitutional and social ideology, different from Western secularism. The discussion highlights how Indian secularism is based on pluralism, accommodation, and equal respect for all religions, rather than strict separation.
The ideas of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar are discussed to explain the role of secularism in protecting minority rights and ensuring social equality. The video also explains Rajeev Bhargava’s concept of “Principled Distance”, which captures the uniquely Indian model where the state maintains a balanced and context-sensitive relationship with religions.
The video critically examines why secularism in practice often appears weakened, pointing to factors such as:
Politicisation of religion
Electoral mobilisation on religious lines
Decline of ethical political will
Use of religious identity for vote-bank politics
Overall, this session provides a balanced, non-ideological, and analytical understanding of communalism and secularism, helping aspirants build mains-ready arguments and a mature perspective for interviews.


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