Consider the following statements about the meaning of communalism:
(A) To simplify further, communalism is an aggressive political ideology linked to religion.
(B) The meaning of communalism as an aggressive ideology is a peculiarly European one.
(C) In chauvinism, other groups are seen, by definition, as inferior, illegitimate and opposed.
(D) The charge carried by the word is seen as positive by those who are opposed to communalism.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → A and C only
(A) To simplify further, communalism is an aggressive political ideology linked to religion. — Correct. Put in its simplest form, communalism is an aggressive political ideology linked to religion. Its base is religious identity carried into politics.
(B) The meaning of communalism as an aggressive ideology is a peculiarly European one. — Incorrect. This aggressive meaning is peculiarly Indian, or perhaps South Asian. The ordinary English word has a different and neutral sense.
(C) In chauvinism, other groups are seen, by definition, as inferior, illegitimate and opposed. — Correct. Chauvinism sees one's own group as the only legitimate or worthy group. Every other group is seen, by definition, as inferior, illegitimate and opposed.
(D) The charge carried by the word is seen as positive by those who are opposed to communalism. — Incorrect. The direction is reversed. The charge is seen as positive by those sympathetic to communalism, and as negative by those opposed to it.
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