Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Sociology

Chapter

Indian Society: Challenges of Cultural Diversity

Question:

Communalism is an aggressive political ideology linked to which of the following concept?

Options:

Caste

Region

Religion

Country

Correct Answer:

Religion

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 3: Religion

In everyday language, the word ‘communalism’ refers to aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity. Chauvinism itself is an attitude that sees one’s own group as the only legitimate or worthy group, with other groups being seen – by definition – as inferior, illegitimate and opposed. Thus, to simplify further, communalism is an aggressive political ideology linked to religion. This is a peculiarly Indian, or perhaps South Asian, meaning that is different from the sense of the ordinary English word. In the English language, “communal” means something related to a community or collectivity as different from an individual. The English meaning is neutral, whereas the South Asian meaning is strongly charged. The charge may be seen as positive – if one is sympathetic to communalism – or negative, if one is opposed to it.