In spite of being a secular democracy with generally peaceful co-existence amongst its diverse ethnic and religious communities, India has witnessed occasional bouts of large-scale violence sparked by underlying tensions between sections of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities. India could not free itself of curse of communalism even more than fifty years after independence. If anything it has been getting worse year after year. There has been not a single year in post-independence period, which has been free of communal violence though number of incidents may vary. .
The persons, collectively considered, who live in any region or at any period; any community of individuals who are united together by a common bond of nearness or intercourse; those who recognize each other as associates, friends, and acquaintances. This is the dictionary definition of society. Society usually comprises of people from varying social, cultural, economic and religious backgrounds. Religious differences are usually the cause of conflicts within society. Looking at it very broadly, religion can be classified into two categories. One is the philosophy behind it and its various teachings. The second and more visible part of it is the translation of these philosophical ideals into the believer's daily life. These are the rites, rituals as well as religious festivals, the practical part of religion. The teachings of most religions are similar. All of them teach its followers to be kind, truthful, and humble, to help the poor, not to harm others etc. there is very little conflict caused by the differences in this part of the various religions. What differs among various religions however is the latter part, the practical part of it this is unique to each religion as it is a product of the time of the founding of that particular religion and the economic as well as the social conditions prevalent at that time.