“Three factors are crucial in deciding the outcome of politics of social divisions.” Elaborate upon the statement.

1. The first of all the outcomes depends on how people perceive their identities. Singular and exclusive identities are narrow and difficult to handle, whereas if people see their identities as multiple and complementary, it is much easier to accommodate them.

2. Secondly, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.

3. Thirdly, it depends on how the government reacts to the demands of different groups. If the rulers are willing to accommodate the reasonable demands of a minority community, social divisions become less threatening for the country. However, if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite.

NOTE – Social diversities should not be seen as a source of danger. Taking the case of Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, the demand for ‘only Sinhala’ was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. Therefore, accommodation of multiple identities is the solution to a harmonious life.