MCQs

1. What is communalism?

a) Equal treatment of all religions

b) The belief that religion should be the primary basis of political identity

c) The separation of religion from politics

d) Government funding of all religious institutions

2. Which of the following is a constitutional provision ensuring India’s secularism?

a) Article 370

b) Article 19

c) Articles 25-28

d) Article 50

3. What is an example of communal politics?

a) Inclusion of religious values in political decision-making

b) Political mobilization based on religious identity

c) Equal representation of all religions in government

d) Banning of all religious symbols in public

4. Who among the following believed that politics should be guided by religious ethics and morals?

a) B.R. Ambedkar

b) Mahatma Gandhi

c) Jawaharlal Nehru

d) Sardar Patel

5. What is a common consequence of communalism in politics?

a) Promotion of social harmony

b) Strengthening of democracy

c) Religious conflicts and violence

d) Economic development

Answers and Explanations

1. (b) The belief that religion should be the primary basis of political identity.

• Communalism is based on the idea that a particular religion should dominate political and social life .

2. (c) Articles 25-28.

• These constitutional provisions ensure religious freedom and prevent the state from favoring any religion .

3. (b) Political mobilization based on religious identity.

• Communal politics uses religious identities to create divisions and mobilize voters .

4. (b) Mahatma Gandhi.

• Gandhi believed in the role of religious ethics in politics but did not support communalism .

5. (c) Religious conflicts and violence. • Communalism often leads to polarization, conflicts, and even riots .