There are various causes for the rise of communalism in India:
A Legacy of Past: Communal politics had played its nasty game during the immediate past of independent India. The partition of India was the ultimate outcome of the politics of the British government. Despite the emergence of Pakistan, a large number of Muslims are staying in India. India has adopted the principles of secularism and equality of the people. But communalism as a legacy of past, is continuing and expreshing itself in various form.
Presence of Communal Parties : Religion in India has become an important agency of political socialisation and it is also reflected in the ideology of a number of politial parties. A number of communal and sectarian political parties and organisations are present in India. Same political leaders preach communalism to attain their political goal.
Poverty : Mass poverty and unemployment create a sense of frustration among the people. It generates backwardness, illetracy, ignorance, etc. The unemployed people are easily trapped by religious fundamentalists and fanatics. Such people are used to cause communal riots.
Communalism of Politics : Electoral politics in India has become competitive. Different political parties are not hesitating to use any means for electoral victory. They even create communal tensions and try to take politcal advantage out of it. Concessions are granted to various minority groups for appeasing them.
Cross-Border Factors : Communal tensions in India are sometimes highly intensified due to the rule of two neighbouring theocratic countries. These countries try to create communal problems in the border states.
For example; the communal problems of Punjab and Nammu & Kashmir are caused due to provocation of Pakistan.
The Social Causes : The two major communities, the Hindus and Muslims in India continue tobe suspicious of each other. The Muslims complain of the threat of Hindu cultural invasion and have become more assertive of their rights. Another cause is conversion of religion which creates negative reactions.
