Question 1

Read the following case study.

India is considered an economic powerhouse in South Asia and a middle power internationally. Along with the recent rise of India’s economic and political stature, concerns have also grown over what is happening within India, particularly with regards to the communal tensions that have grown considerably in the last decade or so. While Hindu-Muslim tensions have long-existed, their permeation at the societal level – reflected by the increased violence witnessed in the form of rioting, vigilantism, and even calls for “genocide” – have caused considerable alarm. There are also worries that the communal tensions between Hindus and Muslims, if left unaddressed, could push the country into a civil war-like scenario. To a lesser degree, other religious communities such as Christians and Sikhs have also been affected by the rising religious polarisation.

You are a peacebuilding officer at a newly constituted NGO based in New Delhi, India. You aim to explore ways to address the worsening communal tensions in the country. Your supervisor has asked you to prepare a report to help the organisation understand the nature and dynamics of the tensions, appraise relevant peacebuilding techniques in relation to addressing India’s communal tensions, and find ways to get local and international actors to be involved in promoting better understanding and trust between the communities.

You may use the following resources to start your research:

•  https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/5282672_INDIA-2023-
  HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf
•  https://edition.cnn.com/2022/01/14/asia/india-hindu-extremist-groups-intlhnk-dst/index.html
•  https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/30/india/india-elections-varanasi-hindumuslim-tensions-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

You are to conduct your own research and use other resources as well beyond the above links. Reflect carefully on the following questions and craft your report.

Determine THREE causes for the tensions between the Hindus and Muslims in India. Identify and describe the role of some of the key stakeholders involved, including those involved in peacebuilding and in perpetuating these tensions.

Question 2

Appraise the nature and dynamics of Hindu-Muslim tensions in India using Johan Galtung’s three pillars of violence.

Question 3

Analyse the suitability of the following three peacebuilding techniques introduced in this course: (1) principled negotiation, (2) problem-solving workshops, and (3) dialogue processes to address Hindu-Muslim tensions in India. Assess the key features of each technique and how it can be implemented on the ground.

Question 4

Some international actors, including governments that have friendly relations with India, such as the United States and the European Union, have raised deep concerns over the rise in Hindu-Muslim tensions and violence in India. This may, in part, be due to some of this violence having spilt over into large Indian diasporic communities in the West. Analyse and explain how some international actors can realistically be involved in conflict prevention and peacekeeping in India. Discuss who these international actors can be and how they can formulate strategies and overcome the challenges their involvement may present.