Religiousness or Religiosity is the feeling of devoutness or reverence to a particular deity. Such faith often provides the people not only with a religious identity, but shapes their personal identity, social behavior and world view. Communalism as a political philosophy has its roots in the religious and cultural diversity of India. It has been used as a political propaganda tool to create divide, differences and tensions between the communities on the basis of religious and ethnic identity leading to communal hatred and violence.

Religiosity is concerned with the worship of God. Religiosity is often accompanied by prayers i.e. petition direct at a supernatural power and rituals i.e. symbolic series of actions to appear the aid supernatural power. Religiosity by default is not associated with violence, unless the religious tenants themselves require human or animal sacrifice.

Communalism is a belief system and a social phenomenon wherein, history is interpreted for mobilization of people. It involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. Secularism and egalitarianism are portrayed as abnormal. People belonging to other faith and religion are portrayed as antagonists.

Religiosity has certainly transformed into communalism in independent India:

• The communalism before independence was rooted in the ‘divide and rule’ policy of the British. They had fostered communalism to weaken the nationalist movement by forcing religious rather than national allegiance.
• After partition, the class divisions of our society and the backwardness of our economy resulted in uneven development.
• As a result, some sections and individuals developed a sense of rivalry vis-à-vis their counterparts in other communities.
• Such leaders began encouraging communal feelings to strengthen their political support.
• When ordinary Indians feel insecure because of some adverse circumstances, they often tend to rely on religion, which make them vulnerable to political manipulation to inflame communal passions.
• With economic problems becoming important, leaders began to convert economic insecurities like poverty unemployment, price rise etc. into caste and communal ones.

Example: secessionist movement & the communalization of Sikhs in Punjab. The demolition of Babri Masjid.

Conclusion:

Transformation of religiosity into communalism creates serious obstacles to good governance, economic development and social harmony of our country. Therefore, both the state and the society must prevent any individual, organization or event that encourages such process.