Religious conflicts in pluralist societies

Abstract

Religious conflicts in contemporary India are often portrayed as expressions of Hindu nationalism, fundamentalism or communalism. Though these characterisations are mostly right, they do not offer an overall framework to comprehend and resolve such conflicts, which emerge also due to economic and social inequalities. Further, religious conflicts often challenge the strong ideological basis on which the nation-state is founded. It is the legitimacy of the foundations of the Indian democracy which are directly or indirectly in jeopardy in religious conflicts, often also unleashed by radical right-wing policies. This essay attempts to manifest this current trend, by calling attention to the animal protection laws and the purported justification of which in the Hindu tradition. It thereby highlights the sound criteria –ahimsa and social inclusion– to judge religious conflicts, and the role religion plays in safeguarding them.