Communal Violence is Instigated by Religious Fanatics, Initiated by Anti-Social Elements, Supported by Political Activists, Financed by Vested Interests  Comment

Communal violence has become one of the major threats to peace, harmony, and unity in modern society. It often results in the loss of innocent lives, destruction of property, and long-lasting hatred between communities. India, being a diverse nation with various religions, castes, and communities, has unfortunately witnessed many such incidents in its history. This quote   “Communal violence is instigated by religious fanatics, initiated by anti-social elements, supported by political activists, and financed by vested interests” is a very accurate observation of how such violence often begins and spreads.

Let’s break down each part of this statement to understand how these different groups contribute to communal violence, and why it continues to be such a serious issue.

1. Instigated by Religious Fanatics

Religious fanatics are people who are extremely rigid and intolerant about their own religious beliefs. They believe that their religion is superior and that others are wrong or even evil. These individuals are often blinded by hate and are not open to other viewpoints. They twist religious teachings to justify violence, even though most religions teach peace, love, and compassion.

These fanatics spread misinformation and hatred. They use emotional and religious language to stir feelings of fear or anger among followers. For example, they may say that another religion is trying to destroy their culture or that their own religion is under threat. This kind of propaganda can easily provoke large groups of people into anger or panic.

Examples: We have seen such incidents in various communal riots, such as the Gujarat riots in 2002 or the Delhi riots in 2020, where rumors and hate speech played a big role in instigating the masses. Often, religious leaders or extreme groups use social media and public speeches to light the first spark of violence.

2. Initiated by Anti-Social Elements

Once the flame of hatred is lit, anti-social elements enter the picture. These are people who thrive on chaos and disorder. They may include criminals, looters, and troublemakers who are always ready to take advantage of any unstable situation. When communal tension rises, these people take the first step toward violence   throwing stones, burning shops, attacking people, or spreading panic.

Anti-social elements are not always motivated by religion or ideology. Many of them are simply looking for opportunities to steal, damage property, or settle personal scores under the cover of mob violence. Communal riots give them a chance to act without fear of immediate punishment because the police and administration are often too overwhelmed to respond quickly.

Example: During the 1992 Mumbai riots, several reports pointed out how gangs and criminal elements used the communal clash as a way to expand their illegal control over certain areas and markets.

3. Supported by Political Activists

Unfortunately, politics plays a big role in communal violence. Some political activists support and even encourage such violence for vote-bank politics. They know that dividing people on the basis of religion or caste can help them win elections by appealing to one specific group and turning them against another.

These political players may protect the people involved in the riots or influence the police not to take action. In some cases, they may even help organize violent rallies, spread hate speeches, or allow riots to continue by delaying police or administrative response.

Example: The Babri Masjid demolition in 1992, which led to widespread violence across the country, was strongly supported by political groups who used the issue to mobilize support for their parties. The incident changed Indian politics forever and showed how religion and politics could be dangerously mixed.

4. Financed by Vested Interests

Behind all this violence, there are often hidden forces funding and guiding it. Vested interests are people or groups who have something to gain from conflict   be it economic, political, or territorial. These could include land mafias, illegal businesses, foreign intelligence agencies, or even businessmen who want to destroy a rival's property or market.

These groups supply weapons, money, food, and shelter to rioters. They may also pay people to join violent mobs. For them, communal violence is a tool to achieve their personal or business goals.

Example: In some cases, violence has been linked to real estate interests, where riots are used to drive certain communities out of a neighborhood so that land can be taken over cheaply. This dark side of communal violence often goes unnoticed but plays a major role in its planning and funding.

The Chain of Communal Violence

The statement beautifully outlines how communal violence is not a sudden act of emotional outburst but a well-structured chain reaction:

• First, religious fanatics poison minds and create fear and hatred.
• Next, anti-social elements take the first step toward violence.
• Then, political activists either silently support or directly help the violence to grow.
• Finally, vested interests fund and benefit from the destruction.

This chain makes it very hard to stop communal violence once it begins because each link supports the next.

Impact of Communal Violence

The impact of such violence is deeply damaging:

• Loss of Lives and Property: Innocent people, including women and children, are killed. Shops, homes, and temples or mosques are destroyed.
• Fear and Distrust: Communities that once lived in peace start fearing and hating each other. This fear can last for generations.
• Economic Harm: Areas affected by riots often face a breakdown of trade, businesses close down, and tourism is affected.
• Political Instability: Trust in the police, courts, and government weakens, leading to anger and dissatisfaction.
• Social Division: Riots create deep cracks in society. People stop marrying across communities, children grow up with fear and hatred, and friendships break.

The Role of Media and Social Media

The media has a big role in both controlling and spreading communal violence. While responsible media can help stop rumors and inform people with facts, irresponsible or biased media can increase tension by showing one-sided reports. Today, social media has become even more dangerous. Fake news, photoshopped images, and hate messages can go viral in seconds and create panic.

Example: WhatsApp rumors have been behind several mob lynchings in India in recent years. A simple rumor about child kidnapping or cow slaughter has led to the death of innocent people.

What Can Be Done?

To stop this dangerous cycle, we need strong and immediate action at multiple levels:

1. Strict Law Enforcement

Police must act quickly and without bias. Those who spread hate, start violence, or fund riots must be arrested and punished, regardless of their religion or political power.

2. Educational Awareness

People, especially the youth, must be educated about the value of unity and tolerance. Schools and colleges should include lessons on peace, secularism, and conflict resolution.

3. Responsible Politics

Political parties must be held accountable for spreading communal hatred. The Election Commission and courts should take strong action against those using religion to gain votes.

4. Media Regulation

Media must follow ethical reporting. Social media platforms must act faster to remove hate content, and users should be made aware of how to report fake news.

5. Community Dialogue

Local communities must be encouraged to talk to each other, organize joint events, and create peace committees that can stop small disputes from turning into riots.

The statement that “Communal violence is instigated by religious fanatics, initiated by anti-social elements, supported by political activists, and financed by vested interests” reveals the truth behind the curtain. It shows that communal violence is not just an emotional reaction but a carefully planned and executed crime. It is time for us as a society to understand this and break this chain.