(i) The most common expression of communalism lies in our everyday beliefs. These routines involve belief in the superiority of one’s religion above other religions.
(ii) A communal wind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community; it can take a form of a desire to create a separate political unit.
(iii) Political mobilization based on religion is another form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena.
(iv) Sometimes, communalism takes its most ugly form of violence, riots, and massacres. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of partition.
