Communalism taking deep roots rather than weakening: Sunil P. Ilayidom

Devadathan A.

Writer and critic Sunil P. Ilayidom said, “The revitalization of secularism requires more than protest against communalism from political, organizational or ideological fronts. It must also be linked to the fundamental nature of national discourses while rediscovering the plurality within us.”

He was delivering a speech titled ‘Indian secularism: ways to take it back’ (Hindi Mathanirapekshatha: Veendupinte Vazhikal) at the fourth edition of the Kerala Legislative Assembly International Book Festival (KLIBF) organized by the Kerala Assembly here on Tuesday.

Mr. Ilayidom noted that large-scale resistance to communalism has always been present – ​​in the form of protests by political parties and organisations, resistance by coalitions of secular parties in elections, and opposition to Brahmanical value systems. “However, despite these criticisms, we are witnessing that communalism has become deeply rooted in society rather than weakening,” he said.

He explained the origins of Indian communalism and pointed out that imperialist historians of the 19th century often depicted India as primitive and superstitious. don’t quote History of British India (1817) in an article by the historian James Mill highlighted how the first attempt was made to categorize India’s past in religious terms: the period up to the 12th century as ‘Hindu India’ and the middle ages as ‘Muslim India’.

He noted that another criticism has also emerged, arguing that these religions are in conflict with each other, revealing the basic idea of ​​the Hindu-Muslim conflict.

Following this, a group identified as orientalists emerged, including the academics Max Mueller and Thomas Colebrooke. This resulted in the concept of a ‘golden India’ that embodied spirituality, divinity and enlightenment. The national movement gained momentum in the late 19th century.

Mr. Ilayidom pointed out that the problem faced by nationalists is India’s lack of historical awareness, and that they have begun to oppose the claims of imperialist historians. These nationalists adopted previous perspectives to create a nationalist past. In doing so, they adopted a fundamental idea from these perspectives: that ancient India was essentially Hindu, and that this Hindu India was its golden age, as depicted by orientalists.

He also pointed out how even historians like RC Majumdar portrayed an India divided to the point where mutual cooperation or harmonious life between Hindus and Muslims never existed. “Aspects of India’s past that could not be Brahminised were often excluded from the national tradition,” he said.

Mr. Ilayidom emphasized that India is characterized by pluralism and is shaped by influences beyond its culture and traditions. Divine archetypes, religious beliefs, food habits and clothing styles flowing through daily life practices from different periods and regions came together to form the pluralistic culture of India.