Kalis Zeit. Gewalt zwischen Religionsgruppen in Indien

Abstract

The psychological state of individuals involved in religious violence has received insufficient attention in academic discourse. Based on a case study of Hindu-Muslim violence, this paper shows the shift that takes place when peaceful religious identities come to be replaced by violent communal ones. This shift first brings to the fore a version of history that emphasizes conflict rather than coexistence between the two groups. The violent communal identity is decisively propelled by religious-political demagogues who stoke persecution anxiety. It is then perpetuated by the circulation of rumors that further activate paranoia through the imagery of the body in danger of extinction. A new morality that sanctions arson, looting and killing of the members of the enemy group takes hold. The actual violence, though, is the province of professionals who view themselves and are viewed by others as soldiers in the defense of the community's faith . For most people, however, the aggressive communal identity is a temporary change in personality, giving way to the peaceful religious identity after a certain period has elapsed.