"Cleansing" (the term used in political contexts)

In political contexts, "cleansing" refers to efforts by a government or ruling group to remove individuals or groups they see as unwanted or threatening, often based on traits like ethnicity, religion, political beliefs, or social status. This process aims to eliminate dissent or non-conformists but can lead to severe human rights violations, including forced expulsion, imprisonment, or violence. Essentially, it is an aggressive attempt to reshape a society by eradicating certain populations or ideologies, often justified by those in power as necessary for national unity or security but typically resulting in widespread suffering.