Riot and Communal Party – A dangerous political alliance that thrives on division and fear. Every riot strengthens the communal party, giving it more power while the common people suffer.
History has a way of repeating itself. And if there’s one thing that never fails, it’s the political advantage that communal parties gain from riots. Whether it’s a small skirmish or full-blown violence, these parties always seem to walk away stronger. But why does this happen? Is it a coincidence, or is there a pattern that keeps playing out? Learn how this cycle works and how to break free from it.
Riots and the Communal Party: A Dark Political Partnership
Riots and the communal party are deeply linked. Every time violence erupts, these parties use it to strengthen their influence, polarize communities, and consolidate votes. While the common people suffer, businesses are destroyed, and lives are lost, the communal party finds a way to turn destruction into an opportunity. They present themselves as the only saviors, capitalizing on fear and anger to push their divisive agendas.
Riots, by their very nature, divide people. They ignite fear, anger, and an “us vs. them” mentality. And guess who benefits from that division? The communal party. Their entire game plan revolves around polarization. When people are emotionally charged and scared, they stop thinking logically and start looking for a protector. The communal party steps in, offering itself as the only shield against the ‘enemy.’
The result? A massive surge in support, votes, and political power.
Major Riots that have Historically Benefited Communal Parties
Babri Masjid Demolition & BJP’s Rise (1992)
- The demolition of Babri Masjid in Ayodhya led to widespread riots across India, especially in Mumbai.
- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) used the Ram Janmabhoomi movement to consolidate Hindu votes, leading to its rise as a dominant political force.
- The 1996 and 1998 elections saw BJP making massive electoral gains, eventually leading to its first government at the center.
Mumbai Riots & Shiv Sena’s Political Boost (1992-93)
- Following the Babri Masjid demolition, Mumbai witnessed horrific riots between Hindus and Muslims.
- The Shiv Sena, led by Bal Thackeray, positioned itself as the protector of Hindus, gaining significant political mileage.
- The riots cemented Shiv Sena’s influence in Maharashtra, leading to its rise in state politics.
1983 Sri Lanka Anti-Tamil Pogrom & Rise of Sinhala Nationalism
- The deadly Black July riots in Sri Lanka saw Sinhala mobs attacking the Tamil community.
- The riots strengthened Sinhala Buddhist nationalist parties, who gained more influence by promoting anti-Tamil rhetoric.
- This communal divide contributed to the prolonged Sri Lankan Civil War.
2002 Gujarat Riots & BJP’s Consolidation in the State
- Following the Godhra train burning, Gujarat erupted in one of the deadliest communal riots.
- The BJP, under then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi, used the riots to consolidate Hindu support.
- Modi’s image as a “strong leader” grew, leading to BJP’s continued dominance in Gujarat and eventually his rise as Prime Minister in 2014.
1984 Anti-Sikh Riots & Congress’s Strategy
- After Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards, violent anti-Sikh riots erupted across India.
- Congress leaders were accused of instigating mob violence.
- Despite the horrific violence, Congress swept the 1984 elections with a record majority, showing how riots can politically benefit ruling parties.
Muzaffarnagar Riots & BJP’s 2014 Lok Sabha Sweep
- The 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots in Uttar Pradesh saw Hindu-Muslim clashes.
- The riots polarized voters along religious lines, boosting BJP’s chances in the 2014 general elections.
- BJP won a massive victory in UP, securing a majority of the state’s Lok Sabha seats.
Delhi Riots 2020 & Political Polarization
- Riots erupted in Delhi following protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
- Communal violence was used to deepen Hindu-Muslim divisions, with political parties leveraging the situation to strengthen their vote banks.
- The riots set the stage for BJP’s continued dominance in Delhi’s political discourse despite its failure in the state elections.
Fear Is the Best Political Tool
Fear makes people do things they wouldn’t normally do. It pushes them to act impulsively, to pick sides without thinking twice. And the communal party knows this very well. Every riot brings an opportunity to spread propaganda, inflame emotions, and turn a chaotic event into an electoral strategy.
- They portray themselves as protectors of their community.
- They paint the other side as a threat.
- They push laws and policies that solidify their control, all in the name of ‘safety.’
The result? They tighten their grip on power while people remain trapped in the cycle of hate.
The Classic Divide-and-Rule Strategy
This tactic isn’t new. History is filled with examples of leaders using conflict to gain control. The British did it during colonial rule, and modern communal parties do it today. The moment people stand divided, they become easier to manipulate.
The communal party fans the flames, makes sure the fire spreads, and then conveniently positions itself as the firefighter. And just like that, people hand them more power without realizing they are the ones who lit the match.
Media Amplification: The Unseen Weapon
A riot is not just an event; it’s a spectacle. And the media plays right into it. The more dramatic the footage, the higher the TRPs. But behind every headline and viral video, there’s a silent beneficiary of the communal party.
They use the media to:
- Shape the narrative in their favor.
- Spread misinformation and blame the ‘other side.’
- Push their agenda deeper into the public psyche.
By the time the dust settles, they’ve already won the battle of perception.
The Election Connection: Riots Before Polls
Ever noticed how communal clashes spike before elections? That’s not a coincidence. It’s a well-planned strategy. A riot right before an election creates a charged atmosphere, making people vote based on emotion rather than policy or development.
The communal party:
- Rallies its voter base by playing the victim card.
- Ensures the opposition gets blamed, weakening their stance.
- Uses chaos to push its own ‘strong leadership’ narrative.
And once again, they turn violence into votes.
The Business of Hate: Who Funds the Riots?
Riots don’t just happen; they are often funded. The money trail behind communal violence leads to powerful people and organizations that have a vested interest in keeping the fires burning. Funding can come in many forms:
- Political groups: Wanting to consolidate power before elections.
- Business elites: Who benefit from policy changes that follow riots.
- Foreign entities: That aim to destabilize a nation for strategic gains.
- Black market networks: Taking advantage of chaos to smuggle weapons and goods.
Understanding who profits financially from riots can often expose the real masterminds behind them.
Who Pays the Price? Always the Common People
While the communal party enjoys the benefits, who suffers the most? The ordinary citizens. Shops burn, homes get destroyed, lives are lost, and communities are torn apart. And when the smoke clears, the same people who were manipulated into fighting each other are left picking up the pieces.
Meanwhile, the leaders who fueled the conflict sit comfortably in power, planning their next move.
Psychological Manipulation: Turning Neighbors into Enemies
One of the most dangerous aspects of communal riots is how they turn ordinary people against each other. Neighbors who once shared meals suddenly see each other as enemies. This psychological shift is no accident; it’s carefully orchestrated through:
- Misinformation: Fake news, doctored videos, and manipulated social media posts.
- Emotional appeals: Political speeches that stir anger and resentment.
- Selective justice: Authorities punishing one side while ignoring the other.
- Education gaps: The lack of critical thinking skills makes people more vulnerable to manipulation.
This manipulation ensures that hatred lingers long after the riot ends, keeping society divided for the next election cycle.
The Role of Law Enforcement and Government
A riot can only grow if it is allowed to. Law enforcement and government response play a crucial role in either stopping or fueling the violence. Many times, communal parties influence:
- Delayed police action: Authorities acting too late, allowing the situation to spiral.
- Selective arrests: Targeting only one community while letting the other go free.
- Weak judiciary response: Ensuring that those responsible for riots never face real consequences.
- Government-backed militias: Allowing extremist groups to act with impunity.
This breakdown in justice ensures that riots remain a powerful political weapon for communal parties.
Breaking the Cycle: What Can Be Done?
The only way to stop this vicious cycle is awareness. People need to see through the game. Here’s what we can do:
- Question the narrative: Before believing anything, ask yourself who benefits from this riot?
- Reject divisive politics: Support leaders who talk about unity, development, and progress, not hate and fear.
- Think before you vote: Your vote is powerful. Don’t let fear dictate it.
- Hold media accountable: Don’t fall for sensationalism. Look for facts, not propaganda.
- Strengthen community bonds: The more connected people are, the harder it is for politics to divide them.
- Push for strict legal action: Demand that those responsible for riots face real consequences, regardless of their political affiliation.
Conclusion: Don’t Be a Pawn in Their Game
Riots are never accidental in the political playbook. Every time there’s chaos, the communal party gains strength. They thrive on division, using fear to manipulate people into giving them more power. But the moment we stop falling for their tricks, they lose their grip.
It’s time to wake up and see the pattern for what it is, a trap. The responsibility lies with every citizen to reject hate, resist fear-based politics, and choose progress over division. Because the day we stop playing into their hands is the day they lose their greatest weapon.
We must also demand accountability, from political leaders, law enforcement, and the media. Real change begins when people refuse to be used as pawns in a game designed to benefit the powerful at the cost of peace and prosperity.
The future belongs to those who can see beyond the immediate chaos and recognize the long-term damage. And if we truly want a society that thrives, we must break free from this cycle before it’s too late.
