The Role of Political Parties in Promoting Religious Extremism in Pakistan and India

Abstract

Political parties and religious extremism are one of the key challenges that has impacted governance of South Asian nations, human rights and regional security. Religion has always been an important means of cultural identity in both Pakistan and India and it has also been a strong tool of political mobilisation. Although the two states' constitutional and ideological underpinnings are different (Islamic republic versus secular democratic republic), political Islam has come to influence electoral dynamics, policy debates and public debates in both Pakistan and India. Religious symbols, narratives and identities have often been used by political parties as a means to unify voters, demonise opposition and give credence to the policies of state. This politicization of religion has in some instances led to religious polarization, sectarian conflict, hate speech and communal violence and erosion of democratic norms. This paper will make a comparative study on role of political parties in promoting religious extremism in Pakistan and India with reference to historical development, ideological base, electoral behaviour, constitutional provisions and relation between political parties and religious groups. The research examines the role of mainstream political parties along with religiously oriented parties, and its impact on the emergence of religious nationalism, identity politics and majoritarianism in the context of political competition. The paper points out that while forms of religious extremism vary from Pakistan and India, political parties in both countries have, to varying degrees, used religion as a means to an end both for electoral and ideological reasons. These have helped to foster social polarization, reduce institutional neutrality and has given rise to an erosion of pluralistic democratic values.

Keywords: Religious Extremism, Political Parties, Pakistan, India, Religious Nationalism, Electoral Politics, Democracy, Hindutva, Islamization, Sectarianism.