To identify evidence of religious tension in South Asia, we can consider various historical and contemporary events, issues, and dynamics that reflect conflicts or strains between different religious communities. Some examples may include:
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Communal Riots: Incidents of violence between different religious groups, such as the anti-Sikh riots in 1984, the 2002 Gujarat riots between Hindus and Muslims, and other riots that have occurred across the region.
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Religious Discrimination: Legal and social discrimination against certain religious minorities, such as the treatment of minorities like Christians and Muslims in India, and the persecution of Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
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Blasphemy Laws: In several South Asian countries, stringent blasphemy laws disproportionately affect religious minorities and can lead to mob violence or vigilante justice, such as cases seen in Pakistan.
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Political Polarization: Political parties and movements utilizing religious identity for electoral gain, leading to heightened tensions, such as the rise of Hindu nationalism in India.
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Sectarian Violence: Tensions and violence among different sects within the same religion, such as Sunni versus Shia conflicts in Pakistan.
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Displacement of Communities: Forced migrations and displacements due to religious persecution, such as the Rohingya Muslims fleeing Myanmar or Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan.
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Social Movements: Activism and movements that arise in response to perceived threats or discrimination based on religion, indicating underlying tensions.
Each of these aspects offers insight into the complex inter-relationships and tensions between various religious groups in South Asia. If you have specific options in mind or a particular context, please provide those details for a more targeted response.