Eshaan Modi
Constructing Hindu and Muslim Identities in India
This module aims to introduce learners to debates relating to the origins of the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India. After completing the module, learners will be able to explain initial interactions between Hindus and Muslims; the role of the British in sharpening Hindu-Muslim political identities; as well as the current tensions ongoing. Learners will be able to critically apply key sociolinguistic concepts to understanding how imperialist countries exerted power in colonized regions.
The Hindu-Muslim conflict in India is a complex and ongoing issue that has played a significant role in shaping the political and social landscape of the country. The conflict has its roots in the partition of India in 1947, when the British Empire withdrew from the subcontinent and created the independent nations of India and Pakistan. The partition was accompanied by violent clashes between Hindus and Muslims, and the two communities have continued to experience tension and violence in the years since.
The conflict is important for several reasons. Firstly, it has led to widespread violence and human rights abuses, with as well as regular communal riots and targeted attacks on minority communities. In recent years, there has been a rise in violence against Muslims by Hindu nationalist groups. This violence has caused significant loss of life and has had a profound impact on the lives of those affected.
Secondly, the Hindu-Muslim conflict has been a major factor in the political landscape of India. Many politicians have used religious tensions to their advantage in order to gain support and win elections. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been accused of promoting a Hindu nationalist agenda, which has further fueled tensions. The ongoing conflict has also led to a rise in religious extremism and has created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust between the two communities.
Thirdly, the conflict has had a major impact on the lives of individuals. Many Muslims in India have experienced discrimination, marginalization, and other forms of hardship focused on their religious identity. They have been denied access to education, employment, and other opportunities, and have faced difficulties in obtaining basic services such as healthcare and housing. This has had a detrimental effect on their quality of life and has contributed to a sense of exclusion and alienation.
Fourthly, the conflict has regional and global implications. The actions of extremist groups and the response of the Indian government have affected relations between India and other countries in the region. The conflict has also been a source of concern for the international community, with many governments and organizations calling for an end to the violence and for measures to be put in place to promote greater understanding and tolerance between different religious communities.
Overall, the Hindu-Muslim conflict in India is an important issue to learn about because it has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of people in the region. Understanding the colonial origins and causes of the conflict can provide insight into the current state of relations between Hindus and Muslims in India, and can help to inform efforts to address and resolve the issue. Learning about the conflict can also help to promote greater understanding and can help to build bridges of communication and cooperation.
Structure
This module is structured in three parts, each taking place over the course of one day. Part 1 focuses on pre-colonial India to explain the origins of the Hindu-Muslim conflict. Part 2 focuses on the British policy of “divide and rule” which was responsible for sharpening and politicizing the Hindu and Muslim identities in India. The first text summarizes the “divide and rule” policy and should only take approximately five minutes to read. The second text dives deeper into the origins of this policy and contains nearly forty-five pages of explanation. Read the texts in order to get a broader overview of the topic before diving deep. Part 3 discusses the conflict in post-colonial India. Both texts should also be read in order.
Eshaan Modi is majoring in Economics at the University of Chicago.
Learning Resources
Day 1: Pre-Colonial India
“Inscribing the Other, Inscribing the Self: Hindu-Muslim Identities in Pre-Colonial India” (Cynthia Talbot, 1995)
This text discusses the creation of Hindu-Muslim identities, which Talbot argues occurred prior to colonization in the region. Readers will leave with an understanding of the deeper background of the Hindu-Muslim conflict as well as what the conflict entailed.
Day 2: Enter the British
“The Partition: The British Game of ‘Divide and Rule’” (Shashi Tharoor, 2017)
This text discusses how the British imperial policy of “divide and rule” promoted political divisions between Hindus and Muslims.
“British Reaction to the Sepoy Mutiny, 1857–1858” (Samuel Shafeeq, 1970)
This text expands on the 1857 rebellion in India that resulted in the implementation of the “divide and rule” policy by Britain. Readers will get an in-depth understanding of the origins of the rebellion, how the rebellion took place, and the public reaction within Britain.
Day 3: Post-Colonial India and Ongoing Tensions
“Hindu-Muslim Communal Riots in India (1947–1986)” (Viollete Graff and Juliette Galonnier, 2013)
This text describes Hindu-Muslim relations and conflicts post-independence. Readers will leave with an understanding of the consequence of British rule on both identities.
“‘Perpetual Violence’: India’s Dangerous New Pattern of Communal Tensions” (Hari Kumar, Mujib Mashal, and Suhasini Raj, 2022)
This text explains the resurgence of Hindu-Muslim conflict today. Readers will leave with an understanding of the rise of Hindu nationalism in today’s India and the role social media and technology platforms play in exacerbating the conflict.