Communalism, Regionalism and Secularism
Communalism, regionalism and secularism for UPSC GS I: stages of communalism, Indian vs Western secularism, regional movements and constitutional responses.
SyllabusGS I · Communalism, regionalism and secularism
This chapter deals with three ideas that shape how India’s diversity plays out in public life. Communalism turns religious identity into political antagonism; regionalism turns attachment to a region into political demands, constructive or divisive; secularism is the constitutional answer to religious plurality.
What UPSC asks. Mains GS I has asked about the Indian model of secularism, the causes of communalism and its remedies, and whether regionalism threatens or strengthens national unity. Prelims asks the constitutional provisions (Preamble, Articles 25–30, Article 3, Article 371), amendments and landmark judgments. Answers must be balanced, constitutional and non-partisan.
Key sub-topics
| Sub-topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Communalism | Meaning, Bipan Chandra’s three stages, causes, laws, remedies |
| Secularism | Indian vs Western models, Articles 25–28, S.R. Bommai, UCC debate |
| Regionalism | Types, causes, linguistic reorganisation, sons-of-the-soil, Article 371 |
| Responses | Cooperative federalism, inter-State bodies, fraternity |
This chapter has two topic pages: communalism and secularism, and regionalism.