NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 3 | Religion, Communalism And Politics
Topic & sub-topics covered: “Religion, Communalism And Politics” and MCQs Questions: Gender, Religion and Caste (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Religion, Communalism And Politics” from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 10th chapter 3 “Gender, Religion and Caste“.
Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 3 Gender, Religion and Caste PDF Notes
Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 3 Gender, Religion and Caste PDF Notes to understand how social divisions impact politics in a democracy. These well-structured notes cover key concepts such as gender roles, religious differences, and caste-based inequalities. These notes are based on the latest CBSE syllabus, this notes are perfect for board exam and school exam preparation and concept understanding. Students can easily understand how democratic politics deals with diversity and promotes social justice. Get your free NCERT Civics Chapter 3 PDF notes today and start your Class 10 Political Science (Civics) preparation.
Religion, Communalism And Politics
1. Religious Diversity in Society
- Religious divisions are not as universal as gender divisions but exist in most societies.
- Many countries, including India, have followers of multiple religions within their population.
- Even within the same religion, differences may exist in how people practice it (e.g., the Northern Ireland conflict).
2. Expression of Religion in Politics
- Unlike gender differences, religious differences are often expressed in politics.
- Gandhiji believed that religion and politics cannot be separated.
- He emphasized that politics should be guided by moral values from all religions, not just a particular one.
3. Demands for Government Intervention in Religious Matters
- Human rights groups in India demand that the government should prevent communal riots and protect religious minorities.
- The women’s movement argues that family laws of all religions discriminate against women and should be reformed for gender equality.
4. Role of Religion in Politics
- Religious ideals and values can influence politics in a positive way if they promote justice, equality, and ethics.
- People should be allowed to express their religious interests in politics, as long as it does not violate democratic principles.
5. Regulation of Religion by Political Authorities
- Governments may regulate religious practices if they lead to discrimination or oppression.
- However, such regulations must ensure equal treatment of all religions to maintain secularism and fairness.
6. Ethical and Secular Approach to Religion in Politics
- Religious influence in politics is not necessarily harmful if it upholds equality and justice.
- The state should not favour any one religion but ensure equal rights and opportunities for all religious communities.
Communalism
1. Religion as the Basis of a Nation: A Dangerous Concept
- Problems arise when religion is used as the foundation of a nation, leading to exclusion and division.
- Northern Ireland’s conflict is an example of how religion-based nationalism can cause unrest.
- Communalism emerges when one religion is placed above others and used to dominate the state.
2. Understanding Communal Politics
- Communal politics is based on the belief that religion is the key factor defining a community.
- It assumes that all followers of a religion share common interests, ignoring individual differences.
- Extreme communalism leads to the idea that different religious groups cannot coexist in one nation.
- In its worst form, it suggests that either one religious group dominates others or that separate nations should be formed.
3. Flawed Nature of Communal Thinking
- People within the same religion have diverse aspirations, roles, and identities.
- Not all followers of religion think alike, and forcing them into one identity suppresses internal diversity.
- Multiple perspectives exist within every community, and these must be acknowledged in a democratic society.
4. Various Forms of Communalism in Politics
- Everyday Communal Beliefs
a. Prejudices and stereotypes about religions lead to subtle communal biases.
b. People often accept religious superiority unconsciously, which influences their behaviour and decisions. - Political Domination in the Name of Religion
a. Majority communities may seek dominance over minorities, known as majoritarianism.
b. Minority communities may demand political separatism to form their independent units. - Political Mobilization on Religious Lines
a. Sacred symbols, religious leaders, and emotional appeals are used to unite people of one religion in politics.
b. In elections, political parties may favour one religious group over others to gain votes. - Communal Violence and Riots
a. Extreme communalism results in violence, riots, and massacres.
b. India and Pakistan suffered severe communal riots during Partition.
c. Even after Independence, India has witnessed large-scale communal violence in different periods.
Secular State
1. Communalism: A Threat to Democracy
- Communalism remains a major challenge to Indian democracy.
- The Constitution makers recognized this issue and designed India as a secular state.
- Communalism is not just a threat to certain communities but to the idea of India itself.
2. India’s Model of Secularism
- No official religion is recognized by the Indian state.
- Unlike Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Islam in Pakistan, or Christianity in England, India remains neutral in religious matters.
3. Constitutional Provisions Ensuring Secularism
- Freedom of Religion: Every individual and community can profess, practice, and propagate any religion or choose not to follow any.
- No Discrimination: The Constitution prohibits discrimination on religious grounds.
- State Intervention for Equality: The state can intervene to ensure fairness within religious communities (e.g., banning untouchability).
4. Secularism: More Than an Ideology
- Secularism is not just a political idea but a core principle of the Indian Constitution.
- A secular state alone is not enough to stop communalism.
- Communal prejudices and propaganda must be tackled in everyday life and politics.
- Religious mobilization for political gains should be countered actively.
5. Family Laws in India
- Family laws regulate matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption.
- Different religions have different family laws in India.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste
| Topics No. | Topics Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Gender and Politics |
| 2 | Religion, Communalism And Politics |
| 3 | Caste and Politics |
MCQs on NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 3 Tpoic – Religion, Communalism And Politics
Here are top exam oriented mcq’s type questions on “Religion, Communalism And Politics” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. How is religious division different from gender division?
a) Religious diversity is not as universal as gender diversity
b) Religion is based on biology, while gender is socially constructed
c) Religious division is never expressed in politics
d) Gender division is always dangerous, while religious division is not
Answer: a) Religious diversity is not as universal as gender diversity
Question 2. According to Gandhiji, what should guide politics?
a) Military strength
b) Economic policies
c) Ethics drawn from religion
d) Caste-based representation
Answer: c) Ethics drawn from religion
Question 3. What is the demand of human rights groups regarding communal riots?
a) The government should take special steps to prevent communal violence
b) The government should not interfere in religious matters
c) The government should establish an official religion
d) The government should allow communal riots to occur freely
Answer: a) The government should take special steps to prevent communal violence
Question 4. What is the demand of women’s movements regarding family laws?
a) Family laws of all religions should be abolished
b) Family laws should be changed to make them more equitable for women
c) Women should not be allowed to follow religious laws
d) Family laws should be enforced strictly without any changes
Answer: b) Family laws should be changed to make them more equitable for women
Question 5. What is the main problem with linking religion and nationalism?
a) It unites all communities under one belief system
b) It strengthens democracy
c) It leads to conflict and division among religious groups
d) It ensures equality among all religions
Answer: c) It leads to conflict and division among religious groups
Question 6. Which of the following best defines communal politics?
a) When religion is used for national unity
b) When religion is used to create social harmony
c) When religion is used to establish dominance of one group over another
d) When religious leaders participate in politics
Answer: c) When religion is used to establish dominance of one group over another
Question 7. Which of the following statements is NOT a characteristic of communalism?
a) People of the same religion must belong to one community
b) Followers of different religions cannot have common interests
c) Religion should be used to unite people of all backgrounds
d) Religious differences can lead to political conflicts
Answer: c) Religion should be used to unite people of all backgrounds
Question 8. In its extreme form, communalism leads to which of the following beliefs?
a) People of different religions can live peacefully together
b) People of different religions must form separate nations
c) Religious diversity strengthens democracy
d) Religious unity is necessary for democracy
Answer: b) People of different religions must form separate nations
Question 9. Which of the following is a flawed belief of communalism?
a) People of different religions can have common interests
b) All followers of a religion must have the same aspirations
c) A nation can have multiple religions living together peacefully
d) Religious diversity is important for a democratic society
Answer: b) All followers of a religion must have the same aspirations
Question 10. Which of the following is NOT a form of communalism?
a) Religious prejudices and stereotypes
b) Equal treatment of all religions in politics
c) Majoritarian dominance
d) Political mobilization based on religious identity
Answer: b) Equal treatment of all religions in politics
Question 11. Which of the following is an example of political mobilization on religious lines?
a) Use of sacred symbols and religious leaders for political gains
b) Encouraging equal representation of all communities
c) Avoiding any religious influence in political matters
d) Promoting inter-religious harmony in politics
Answer: a) Use of sacred symbols and religious leaders for political gains
Question 12. Which of the following statements about communalism is correct?
a) Communalism is harmless and promotes peace
b) Communalism leads to discrimination and violence
c) Communalism only affects small communities
d) Communalism has no impact on politics
Answer: b) Communalism leads to discrimination and violence
Question 13. What is an extreme form of communalism?
a) Religious harmony
b) Political debates on religious policies
c) Communal riots and violence
d) Secularism
Answer: c) Communal riots and violence
Question 14. What happened during the Partition of India in terms of communalism?
a) Different communities united under one government
b) Large-scale communal riots and violence occurred
c) Religious conflicts were resolved peacefully
d) There was no religious impact on politics
Answer: b) Large-scale communal riots and violence occurred
Question 15. Which of the following is true about the secular nature of the Indian Constitution?
a) It declares Hinduism as the national religion
b) It provides special privileges to one religion
c) It gives equal status to all religions
d) It does not allow people to follow any religion
Answer: c) It gives equal status to all religions
Question 16. Which of the following is a secular feature of the Indian Constitution?
a) Declaring Buddhism as the state religion
b) Prohibiting religious freedom
c) Providing individuals and communities the freedom to practice any religion
d) Making one religion mandatory for all citizens
Answer: c) Providing individuals and communities the freedom to practice any religion
Question 17. What is one way the Indian Constitution ensures religious equality?
a) By banning all religious practices
b) By prohibiting discrimination based on religion
c) By giving financial support to one religion
d) By encouraging conversion to the majority religion
Answer: b) By prohibiting discrimination based on religion
Question 18. Why does the Indian Constitution allow state intervention in religious matters?
a) To promote one religion over others
b) To ensure equality within religious communities
c) To stop people from practising their faith
d) To remove all religious symbols from public life
Answer: b) To ensure equality within religious communities
Question 19. Which of the following is an example of state intervention in religion?
a) Declaring one religion superior to others
b) Banning untouchability
c) Preventing people from following religious customs
d) Making religious laws compulsory for all citizens
Answer: b) Banning untouchability
Question 20. Why is secularism important for India?
a) It ensures the dominance of one religion
b) It protects the rights of all religious communities
c) It eliminates all religious diversity
d) It allows the government to favour one religion
Answer: b) It protects the rights of all religious communities
Question 21. What is the major challenge posed by communalism to democracy?
a) It strengthens national unity
b) It creates divisions and conflicts in society
c) It promotes equality among all religions
d) It does not affect democratic processes
Answer: b) It creates divisions and conflicts in society
Question 22. What should be done to combat communalism in politics?
a) Promote religious prejudices
b) Support religion-based political mobilization
c) Encourage secular principles and equality
d) Restrict religious freedom
Answer: c) Encourage secular principles and equality
Question 23. What is the meaning of “family laws”?
a) Laws that deal with marriage, divorce, and inheritance
b) Laws that regulate business contracts
c) Laws that only apply to men
d) Laws that prohibit religious freedom
Answer: a) Laws that deal with marriage, divorce, and inheritance