National integration refers to the process of creating a sense of unity, solidarity, and common identity among the diverse groups of a nation. It implies the emotional and psychological bonding of people irrespective of differences in caste, religion, language, region, ethnicity, or culture. In political sociology, national integration is understood as the development of a collective consciousness in which individuals see themselves as part of a larger political community and are committed to the sovereignty, stability, and development of the nation-state. It does not mean uniformity or the elimination of diversity; rather, it involves harmonizing diversity within a framework of shared values, constitutional principles, and national goals. National integration is strengthened by democratic institutions, social justice, equal opportunities, and respect for pluralism. However, several forces threaten national integration in a society. One of the major threats is communalism. Communalism arises when religious identity is given political importance and used to mobilize people against other religious groups. It creates mistrust, hostility, and sometimes violence between communities, thereby weakening the sense of national unity. When political leaders exploit religious sentiments for electoral gains,