Iqbal's idea of communalism was based on the belief that India is a land of racial and religious variety, where society is not organized territorially as in European countries. He argued that communalism in its higher aspect is indispensable for forming a harmonious whole in India. According to him, recognizing communal groups was essential, and the Muslim demand for separate political rights was justified to protect their minority interests, culture, and identity from being submerged under Hindu majority domination.

I cannot fully agree with Iqbal's idea because, while he claimed his vision was not inspired by narrow communalism, the demand for separate electorates and separate political representation ultimately created an atmosphere of suspicion and distrust between communities. His justification provided the intellectual basis for the Pakistan demand, which led to the partition of India. Though Iqbal stated that a community with ill-will towards others is low and ignoble, the practical outcome of his ideas was division rather than harmony.

Communalism can be defined differently as an ideology that emphasizes religious identity as the primary basis of political organization, often leading to the belief that interests of different religious communities are incompatible. Unlike Iqbal's vision of free development on its own lines, communalism in practice promotes separatism and conflict between communities. It treats people not as individuals or citizens, but primarily as members of religious groups with competing interests.

A different definition would see communalism as a negative force that divides people along religious lines, preventing united struggle and national integration. The context shows that when the Civil Disobedience Movement started, large sections of Muslims were alienated from the Congress and could not respond to the call for unity. Thus, communalism can be understood as an ideology that prioritizes religious identity over national unity and creates barriers to collective political action.