Development economics
HINDU-MUSLIM RIOTS’ EFFECTS ON DEVELOPING COUNTRIES 9
Topic Name: Hindu-Muslim Riots
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Dated: Introduction
According to the International Crisis Group, Nowadays Global trends are Local conflicts that are serving as mirrors to world trends. It depends on the intensity, great powers' relations, and the effort of regional actors that these conflicts get ignited, unfolded, and resolved. All the issues which are highlighted through them are either internationally much talked or the international system has remained indifferent to them. Today, the story of the global system is told by these armed conflicts (Maekem et. al,2020).
Why is the issue relevant from the perspective of a developing nation?
Mitra and Ray (2011) in their article, "Implications of an Economic Theory of Conflict: Hindu-Muslim Violence in India", states that in poor countries, it has been witnessed that one of the major causes of poverty, ill health, and underdevelopment is war. The world has remained in a war-like situation ever since its birth. Sometimes it is fought on a larger scale while at times it sticks to the round table between two or more than two parties. The rise of civil wars, conflicts, and violence with the states has emerged after the nation-state system has been introduced to the world. Before that, the majority of the wars were against the other nation or region; with the intention to capture the territory or looting the resources. In these kinds of wars, the loser party had to go through political, social, and economic losses but in civil wars, conflicts, or violence, no matter which party wins, the country as a whole has to face adverse consequences due to the social divisions. The consistent underlying economic reasons for war include cultural dimensions that are often linked with ethnicity or religion. There are three major reasons which include economic, political, and social inequalities; bad governance; stagnant economy; poverty; inflation in unemployment; ecological decay, and personal incentives to challenge. Promoting development that is inclusive in nature, tackling unemployment, minimizing social inequalities between parties, reducing individual incentives, and controlling (on both international and international level) the illicit trade can help to decrease the chances or likelihood of wars. These political, social, and economic disparities can lead to conflicts; only efficacious policies can reduce the high risk of war. Violent conflict has occurred mostly in eight out of ten countries (either suffering or have suffered already) which are declared the poorest countries of the world. Poverty and underdevelopment have root causes in wars and for that, progressing or developing countries pay a huge amount in terms of human, social and economic costs. According to Francis Steward (2002), 3% of infants died during the Columbia war in 1990; so it shows how war becomes the cause of infants population death on large scale. Within states, conflicts include, for example, Sudan or the Congo, in recent times it is Afghanistan which is involved in inter and intragovernmental(s) conflicts that have thrown Afghanistan almost 100 years back as compared to other developed countries. In the previous 40 years, most people would agree that Africa has faced the worst consequences of war (civil wars are included). Just like in any other part of the world, India, which claims to be the largest democratic country in the world, is no exception. In the following year, India faces riots between the old rivalries. Hindu-Muslims after Citizenship Amendment Act passes last December. It is vivid that conflicts and violence have an impact on the development of any state especially when the state is in a developing stage (not fully developed). This essay intends to discuss the anti-CAA-violence, the Hindu-Muslim riots in India, and the effects of the religious conflicts in the development of the country (Kausar, 2006).
Some grievously injured people, battling the fight of death and life, were seen lying on the street in India. Policemen were brutally treating them and asking them to chant Indian National Anthem. All that has been recorded via video on 24th Feb in Kardampur, Northeastern Indian state. One of the boys, namely, Faizan lost the battle and got died on the spot. This communal violence remained continuous for days, Shockingly, in the first three days, almost 52 people died in this violent situation. According to Blatman (2010), when there are more than 1000 battle deaths per annum; it is declared to be a civil war, but when 25 people die in a year; it is said to be a civil conflict. India faces no less than the civil conflicts every year which have root causes in religion that hampers the progress of a developing nation. Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government led by Narendra Modi (elected twice as the Prime Minister) has become a threat to Muslims residing in India. Modi administration releases the passage of the achievement discriminatory citizenship act on 12th December 2019. According to this act, religion becomes the basis of citizenship and this kind of activity has passed for the first time in a secular state of India. Basically, it aims to identify "illegal migrants" who have come from Muslim-majority neighboring countries. It is an open threat for the Muslim people, even those living for generations in India. This law has been opposed by different faiths of people; even Hindus, in the form of peaceful protest to resume equality and secularism in India.
What is the constraint in improving the welfare of the people concerned?
There are many constraints in improving the welfare of Muslim people due to various reasons. Even though not on a national level but also an international level, CAA has been opposed on different platforms like European Union, United Nation and the United States of America urge India to scrap its discriminatory policies against Muslims, yet Muslims are under fear of kicking out and being stateless at any stage. The Citizenship Amendment Act has been postponed for an indefinite time due to Covid-19, but it is not null and void. The protests are not much fruitful as only a few states have decided not to implement it. The main constraint is government itself; government tries to justify the law by saying that it will help in providing sanctuary to religious minorities who are living abroad. However, this claim proves to be wrong as it excludes refugees in India of other vulnerable groups, for example, Tamil and Nepalese have sought refuge in Hindustan. In Assam, the government has announced to make 10 detention centers for 988 people who are declared as "Foreigners". When the government is against specific group within the state, then it becomes really impossible for them to prosper. Other than Politicians and government, some extremist groups and civil servants are working against these effected people. The brutality of police can be understood through the Uttar Pradesh incident. Hindu Nationalism and Radicalization have increasingly strengthened up and, for sure, it is not a positive element for a developing country to turn from a secular to an orthodox state (Islam,2020).
In a country where men are getting targeted severely, one can imagine how women can be treated in such a discriminatory society. Women play an important role in nation-building. This act can be proved to be "Women's disproportionately affected law". Documentation is not much access to women in India. Before reaching the age of 18, 27% of girls get married in India without being documented. This hints that their identity cards are made after they get married; making it impossible to link them with their parents. So, nationwide citizenship verification can be impossible for them to prove, which will indirectly be proportional to hurt them. When the majority of India's minority would be unable to prove their citizenship, how can a country be supposed to be eyeing on the progressive path in the future? Furthermore, If these acts were being implemented, so many people would have kicked out of their jobs which would eventually increase the high risk of poverty inflation among Muslim majority area (Human Right Watch,2020).
Dean Karlan et al.2018 say that debt trapped country can become out of debt if the political economy is stable and the government pays to heed more to economic policies than creating internal conflicts. If the internal matters are settled then automatically government, if not corrupted, shifts focus on the economic growth whereas India is the world largest country which is stuck in civil conflicts; mainly due to religious, ethnic and cultural basis. The study includes three experiments: one in Chennai (2007) and two in Philippines different cities (2008).
Edward Meghul (2020) suggests that civil conflicts are negatively proportionate to economic prosperity. These civil conflicts can be natural, social, political, and economic as well. In his research article, he discusses how rainfall, a civil conflict, can indulge the country in economic shocks. So, when a natural cause can have shocking results on the economy, the social division can definitely have unavoidable impacts on the country's economy in particular, on development in general.
Description of the major features of the issues you are discussing. Provide data if available
The major features of the issue, Hindu -Muslim riots with respect to Anti CAA protest, can be traced out if one looks back in history. It is not the first time in history that Hindu and Muslims confront each other face to face, there are many instances present in history which prove that Muslims and Hindus have been severe rivalries of each other ever since the partition has taken place in 1947. If one sees Hindu-Muslim conflicts through the lens of development; he would find out that the post-independence relationship of Hindus and Muslims have gone through many ups and downs. It is because of the systematic use of a particular marker, i.e., religion. That is why CAA paves the way to another Hindu Muslim clash in recent times (Islam, 2020). The major features include a deep-rooted rivalry, religious and ethnic clashes, misunderstanding between the two parties, Government-sponsored groups against Muslims, extremist people in India. CAA has become an issue because it violates the provisions of article 14, does not give nationality to Muslim immigrants, and negate the very nature of secular and democratic India. Critics say that in order to marginalize Muslims, BJP has again introduced another anti-Muslim bill. This bill also states that the person or individual has to meet the criteria of living in India for 11 good years or has worked for the federal government, but that too, excluding Muslims, i.e, other minorities groups have exception by just proving themselves Indian if they had worked or lived for 6 years. According to a BBC report, Historian Mukul Kesavan says that it is just the act of delegitimization of Muslims only not all "foreigners" will be affected by this law. The report further states, if it is actually for the betterment and protection of the rights of minorities' then the largest minority group in India, the Muslim community, would have surely included too. This is sheer discrimination against Muslims just the way it happens in Pakistan against Ahmedis and in Myanmar against Rohingyas. Unfortunately, the bill is defended by the government by saying "no country allows illegal immigrants to enter in its territory". In Assam state, the protest got vocalized as two million people were forced to leave off the citizens' register. Tack days are changed from NRC (national register of citizens) by BJP which has ignited the issue more. This increases the outrage among Muslims which gains support from every corner of the world including Hindus (as this discrimination is government-sponsored) and the anger turns into the protest, killing 53 people and leaving hundreds of people injured including students (Meakem et.al, 2020).
Explanation of the problem
The problem with the act has already been discussed but it is not confined to the present state. According to an International crisis report, the underlying agenda of passing resolutions for these kinds of acts is to marginalize Muslims in India on a religious basis. The hatred and subjugation for Muslims can be seen and understood through the past incidences as well. For instance, in 2002 Gujrat several Muslims were killed in communal violence that lasted for three days. Some people were forcefully converted to Hindus while some were asked to drink cow's urine. Riots are not limited to CAA protests and Gujarat incidence, there are many other examples are like these ( Karlan, et. al.2018).
Are there any policy recommendations? If yes, describe them?
In a report "Human Rights Watch" (Shoot the traitor), released in April 2020, by United Nation, there is a list of recommendations are being proposed to Indian Parliament, Indian Government, Union Home Ministry, Ministry of Assam, concerned Government and Inter-Governmental Organizations. The crux of the recommendation is; Citizen Amendment Act must be repeal and it is the duty of the government to make sure that any law, asylum refugee, and any sort of policy must not be against any citizen or groups on the basis of religion, gender, and social or political status. United Nation basic principles on the use of forces must be abiding by state security forces. Any welfare benefit must not be taken out from Assam people due to NRC. A statutory time limit should be introduced to detain foreigners which are not regular. NRC must be discarded by the Indian government on an urgent basis. UN Special Rapporteurs should be invited to address minority issues in India. UN Secretary-General and UN High Commissioner are encouraged to talk to the Indian government and BJP leaders for human rights recommendations. One should speak out if the government or any other extremist group harasses and for that, the portal can be made by the UN so that more people can reach out without any fear of being attacked. Lastly, in order to keep the growing Indian economy, the government should avoid get involved or initiate such discriminatory acts.
Conclusion
This essay is being summarized with the following concluding remarks. The economy is the backbone of any country. A successful nation is one that is economically sound and secure. If society is united and the political environment is not so hot, a nation is said to be in a stable condition. A country's success is firmly linked with education, high employment rate, economic prosperity, political stability, last but not the least, freedom of speech, and equality (Knappert, 1994). Any nation, which is in dire need to be acknowledged globally, tries to build economic and political ties with other countries of the world. The diplomatic ties and friendly relationships with other countries are made only when the said country has a softer image on an international platform. Developing countries are supposed to be more conscious of peace and stability. A peaceful environment and political stability help the government to heed towards economic boost and social welfare of the country. In the case of India, the riots between Hindus-Muslims frequently occur which turn the focus from the state's development. India, being the largest democratic state in the world, should resolve these kinds of conflicts that have a root cause of religion, ethnicity, or culture to carry on the development path. The world has now entered the phase of giving equality irrespective of gender, class, religion, and caste. Human rights resolutions have been passed against human rights violations and severe penalties and punishment have been announced for the guilty. If CAA and NFC kinds of acts will be coming and introducing in the future, India would not be able to project itself as a soft or secular country. A nation only succeeds when it provides equality without any discrimination to its people or the marginalization of a specific group creates a hurdle in progress.
References
10 Conflicts to Watch in 2020. (2020). Retrieved 20 December 2020, from https://www.crisisgroup.org/global/10-conflicts-watch-2020
Blatman, H. (2010). BOOK REVIEW. Journal Of Musculoskeletal Pain, 18(1), 110-110. doi: 10.3109/10582450903495973
Citizenship Amendment Bill: India's new 'anti-Muslim' law explained. (2020). Retrieved 20 December 2020, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-50670393
Islam, R., 2020. Hindu Nationalism: A Rise Of New Religious Radicalism In India. [online] INSAMER English. Available at: <https://insamer.com/en/hindu-nationalism-a-rise-of-new-religious-radicalism-in-india_3170.html> [Accessed 20 December 2020].
Karlan, D., Mullainathan, S., & Roth, B. (2018). Debt Traps? Market Vendors and Moneylender Debt in India and the Philippines. Retrieved 20 December 2020, from
Kausar, Z. (2006). Communal Riots in India: Hindu–Muslim Conflict and Resolution. Journal Of Muslim Minority Affairs, 26(3), 353-370. https://doi.org/10.1080/13602000601141323
Knappert, J. (1994). International Journal on World Peace, 11(4), 99-103. Retrieved December 20, 2020, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/20752005
Learning under Conflict: Effects of political violence on the educational attainment of Palestinian students in the West Bank. (2020). Retrieved 20 December 2020, from https://www.bsg.ox.ac.uk/research/research-projects/learning-under-conflict-effects-political-violence-educational
Meakem, Jacobs, Gupta, Ganguly, Ashford, & Kroenig et al. (2020). India’s Muslims Are Terrified of Being Deported. Retrieved 20 December 2020, from https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/02/21/india-muslims-deported-terrified-citizenship-amendment-act-caa/
Miguel, E. and Satyanath, S., 2020. Re-Examining Economic Shocks And Civil Conflict.
Mitra, A. and Ray, D., 2014. Implications Of An Economic Theory Of Conflict: Hindu-Muslim Violence In India | Journal Of Political Economy: Vol 122, No 4. [online] Journals.uchicago.edu. Available at: <https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/676316> [Accessed 20 December 2020].
Stewart F. (2002). Root causes of violent conflict in developing countries. BMJ (Clinical research ed.), 324(7333), 342–345. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.324.7333.342
1) Please shorten the introduction part and why is the issue relevant from the perspective of a developing nation? Both these parts are 600 words and are eating up the content you can write about the effects of the riots on the development.
2) I have highlighted a sentence in yellow on the new Nishchay essay file I have uploaded, that is making no sense so please connect it with prior and forward sentence
3) Please focus on the question as to how anti CAA- violence, the Hindu, Muslim riots in India and the effects of the religion conflicts in development of the country. You are giving different opinions about these situations rather than focusing on the effect of these actions and situations on the development of the country.
You have focused very little on the effects on development. Please make that the focus of the essay. The main focus should be the effects of anti CAA- violence, the Hindu, Muslim riots in India and the effects of religion conflicts in development of the country(India)
4) Try to include as many examples from India and not focus on any other countries as we have decided to focus on one country according to the question rather than focusing on a general essay of the topic. Have a look at the assignment brief (I have highlighted it in the new brief I have uploaded).
5) Please try to include all the recommended words Religion, culture, trust, historical institutions as specified in the topic in the assignment brief
6) Also please go through the marking scheme and make all the suggested changes.