Recent Developments in Indian Politics — Part 2: Secularism, Consensus and Recent Elections: visual lesson, CBSE Class 12 Political Science

Lesson

Secularism, consensus and recent elections

Part 2 — communalism and secularism, the new consensus and the elections of 2014 to 2024.

In this lesson you will

Explain communalism and secularism and the challenges posed by the Ayodhya dispute and communal violence
Describe the elements of the new consensus among parties
State the results of the Lok Sabha elections of 2014, 2019 and 2024 as dated facts

Part 2 at a glance

Compare

Communalism: religion used to divide citizens

Secularism: equal respect, equal law, equal protection

Comparison table: communal politics divides people by religion, claims one community is superior or threatened, and can lead to violence; secular democracy treats every citizen as equal, keeps the state equidistant from all religions and protects all lives alike
Communal politics	Secular democracy
Divides people by religion	Treats every citizen as equal
Claims one community is superior or threatened by others	State keeps equal distance from all religions
Can lead to violence and fear	Law protects every life and property alike

Concept

A judgment on maintenance for a divorced woman led to a national debate.