The foremost was the challenge of religious communalism. The national movement's attempt at uniting Hindus and Muslims in face of the higher challenge of colonialism was undermined even when the major movements like Non-cooperation and civil Disobedience Movements were withdrawn. Various approaches were tried which included gearing up the law and order machinery to the education of the general population regarding the syncretic tradition of Hindu-Muslim unity. Attempts were also made to reconcile through peace marches, seminars, discussions as well as cultural interactions.