What is the main cause of social division based on religious difference ? Explain the various ways in which the religious differences are expressed in the field of politics. What are their effects?

(a) The main cause of social division based on religious differences is the widespread religious diversity in the world. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. Even when most of the people belong to the same religion, there can be serious differences about the way people practice that religion as happened in the case of Northern Ireland. The religious difference are expressed in the field of politics in the following ways :
(i) Religion cannot be separated from politics: Gandhiji considered religion a part of politics. Man’s activities cannot be divided into water-tight compartments. He believed that without religion, politics would be dirty and a shameful game. Religion brings morality into politics. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
(ii) Government to protect religious minorities : Human rights groups are of the view that the communal riots in the country affect the religious minorities – who are the only victims in such incidents. They demand that the government should protect the religious minorities’
(ii) Family laws : Women’s movement has argued that the family laws of all religions discriminate against women. They demand that steps should be taken by the government to enhance their rights and to bring equality between men and women’
(b) Effects of relationship between religion and politics:
(i) There is nothing wrong in relationship between religion and politics as long as they treat every religion equally. In a democracy, people can express their demands and needs as a member of a religious community. All religions emphasise on moral values and politics should be guided by them. However, if necessary, the government should take steps to prevent discrimination and oppression. For example in India, government can take steps and interfere in religious matters.
(ii) However, when religion is expressed in exclusive and partisan terms, it leads to effects like the partition of India in 1947.