Impact of Political Polarization on Religious Tolerance in India.

Byline: Muhammad Wasama Khalid

Multiple calls were made by Hindu organizations in March-April 2022 to boycott Muslim and some Christian-owned businesses in the Indian states of Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. The number of atrocities and crimes against Scheduled Castes has grown by 1.2%. (50900 cases). Houses of Kashmiris were demolished in four areas of Indian-occupied Jammu And Kashmir. Political polarization refers to the growing split of thoughts and beliefs into opposing factions. Political polarization may manifest itself in a variety of ways, including a rising separation between political parties, increased partisanship, and the collapse of cross-party collaboration.

Political polarization has become a major worry in India owing to its influence on religious tolerance and social cohesiveness. India is a culturally diversified country that has long been proud of its religious tolerance and social harmony traditions.

However, the political division has been a serious worry in India in recent years, with increased evidence of escalating religious intolerance and communal violence against minorities, ranging from damaging their holy sites to murdering them on blasphemy charges.

Political polarization's influence on religious tolerance is dividing society, causing division and strife, and eroding the fundamental fabric of India's heterogeneous society.

Rise of Political Polarization in India

India has a long history of political polarization, with profound divisions across religious, ethnic, and linguistic groups. Political polarization in India may be traced back to the colonial period when British control divided and exploited India's numerous populations.

This history of separation and exploitation has continued to define India's political environment in recent years, with political polarization growing more entrenched.

Political polarization has reached unprecedented heights in modern India, with the divide between political parties and ideas becoming increasingly obvious. The proliferation of fake news and disinformation has fueled division and mistrust between opposing political factions, as has the advent of social media and other types of media. This in turn has contributed significantly to India's political division.

The ease with which fake news and disinformation may be distributed via these platforms has fueled divisiveness and mistrust among opposing political factions.

Furthermore, the presence of echo chambers and filter...