• Clinging to past resentments can act as
latent sources of conflict, bypassing the
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Communal Violence
• Communal violence refers to conflicts
between different religious, ethnic, or
communal groups within a region or
country.
• It has persistently plagued India's socio-
political sphere.
• Recent examples of communal violence are
seen in Manipur and Haryana.
Reasons for Communal Violence
Politically Motivated Agendas:
• Exploiting religion or ethnicity for political
gains deviates from the ethical duty to
prioritize the collective good over
individual or party-driven interests.
Economic Disparities:
• Disparities in resource distribution can
spark feelings of injustice, and when
intertwined with communal identities,
become catalysts for violence.
• John Rawls, advocating for equitable
resource allocation in his theory of justice,
posits that unequal distribution aligned
with communal identities breaches the veil
of ignorance and the difference principle.
Historical Grudges:
ethical need for forgiveness and
reconciliation.
• Aristotle considered the virtue of
forgiveness central to achieving a fulfilled
life.
• The Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 and
the subsequent riots were rooted in
historical claims and grievances over a
religious site in Ayodhya.
Misinformation and Propaganda:
• The dissemination of falsehoods or hate
narratives contradicts the ethical
commitment to truth, posing significant
risks when igniting violence.
• "Wake up Hindus", "Muslims have to
unite", read posts made on different social
media pages and profiles as parts of
Haryana witnessed violence and clashes
between the two communities on 31 July.
Cultural and Identity Clashes:
• Ethically, every culture and identity
warrants respect.
• The act of disregarding or suppressing
identities not only induces violence but also
infringes upon the principle of cultural
relativism.
• Recent violence in Manipur is a direct
result of ethnic fault lines between Meitie
and Kuki communities.
Loss of Lives and Property:
• The sanctity of human life is paramount.
• Taking lives, particularly along communal
lines, constitutes a profound ethical
violation.
 • Additionally, property damage represents
a neglect of others' rights and efforts.
Psychological Trauma:
• Causing trauma, both directly and
indirectly, especially to innocent civilians,
is ethically indefensible.
• Carol Gilligan's care-based ethics
emphasize the primacy of relationships
and care; trauma, in turn, undermines these
ties.
• Families affected by the 1984 Anti-Sikh
riots bear psychological scars from
witnessing the violence and loss of their
loved ones.
Societal Polarization:
• Communal strife exacerbates divisions and
mistrust within communities, weakening
societal bonds.
• From an ethical standpoint, fostering
societal unity is crucial for the collective's
overall well-being.
Economic Setbacks:
• Obstructing economic advancement
impacts livelihoods.
• This raises ethical dilemmas about
ensuring the well-being and progression of
every citizen, irrespective of their religious
or ethnic background.
• Such economic impediments due to
communal violence can diminish societal
well-being, contradicting utilitarian
principles.
• Post the 2020 Delhi riots, many businesses,
especially in the North-East Delhi region,
suffered major losses, with recovery
remaining uncertain.
Erosion of Democratic and Secular Values:
• At its core, democracy champions equal
rights.
• Both communal violence and its frequently
associated discrimination challenge this
foundational principle.
Solutions to the Problem of Communal
Violence
Strengthening Legal Mechanisms:
• Implementing laws that curb communal
violence adheres to the responsibility of
state to safeguard the rights of its citizens
and maintain social order as per Social
Contract Theory.
• Promoting justice and accountability
amplifies ethical values like fairness and
responsibility.
Promotion of Inter-Community Dialogues:
• Embracing dialogue cultivates mutual
understanding, reinforcing the ethical
principle of respecting every individual,
regardless of their communal background.
Educational Reforms:
• Imparting lessons on communal harmony
to the youth nurtures virtues that
counteract societal divisions.
• An education system emphasizing unity,
tolerance, and mutual respect serves the
moral duty of nurturing harmony and
mutual comprehension among upcoming
generations.
• The 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' initiative
aims to educate students about the diverse
cultures in India, promoting unity.
Media Responsibility:
• Ethical journalism, characterized by truth
and the avoidance of sensationalism,
 reinforces the principle of honesty and can
help avert potential discord.
Economic Inclusivity:
• Ensuring uniform economic opportunities
for all, regardless of their religious or ethnic
affiliations, embodies the ethical principle
of fairness.
Community and Youth Engagement:
• Aristotle advocated the "Polis" or
community as a conduit to a prosperous
life.
• Involving communities, particularly the
youth, in peace initiatives satisfies the
ethical commitment to guaranteeing a
harmonious future.
• Youth organizations like 'Youth for Peace'
actively engage in community service and
peace-building exercises in areas that have
faced communal tensions.

Quote on the issue of Communal

Violence.
Mahatma Gandhi - "Unity to be real must stand
the severest strain without breaking."
• This quote emphasizes the importance of
true unity and harmony, which should be
resilient even in the face of adversity or
challenges. It's a fitting reflection on the
discussions surrounding communal
violence and the need for cohesion in
diverse societies like India.