As India recently celebrated its 76th anniversary of its Independence, the discourse surrounding secularism within the country continues to evoke spirited debates. Secularism, in the Indian context, is characterized by the positive approach where the supremacy of the Constitution is upheld over religious dogma. It entails the separation of state from religion, and it embraces freedom and tolerance towards all faiths. The core essence of secularism in India lies in providing equal opportunities to citizens of all religious backgrounds without discrimination. At the individual level, a secular individual derives their values from rational thinking rather than adhering to religious doctrines.
Secularism’s roots in India extend back to antiquity, with significant instances of religious tolerance dating as far back as the 3rd Century BC. Emperor Ashoka’s proclamation of religious tolerance and respect for all faiths set a precedent for harmonious coexistence. This spirit of tolerance continued through the advent of Islam and Christianity in the Indian subcontinent. The reign of Akbar was marked by religious tolerance and freedom of worship. The 1857 revolt stands as an exemplar of inter-religious unity, with Hindus and Muslims joining forces against the East India Company. However, the British colonial strategy of divide and rule created communal fault lines, which were further exacerbated by the partition of Bengal into West Bengal and East Bengal (now Bangladesh). This divisive approach persisted, leading to the partition of India in 1947.
The emergence of Hindu nationalism, symbolized by the concept of ‘Hindutva’, gained momentum during the early 20th century. This ideology, formulated by Savarkar, envisioned a Hindu-centric nation where Hindus were deemed indigenous, and other groups were labelled as products of invasions. Post-independence, Prime Minister Nehru championed a composite culture that aimed to protect the diverse communities under one umbrella. While the Hindu nationalist faction sought pre-eminence for Hindi and the defense of Hindu culture, Dr
Ambedkar successfully advocated for the supremacy of secularism, enshrining equality before the law for all citizens in the Constitution.
Although the 1950s and 1960s witnessed successful interfaith representation and harmony, the underpinnings of communalism took root, with the phenomenon gaining momentum during the tenures of Indira and Rajiv Gandhi. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), founded in 1980, capitalized on religious sentiments to establish itself as a political force. The Ayodhya movement, centered around Lord Ram, culminated in the 1989 riots, accentuating religious polarization. The destruction of the Babri mosque exemplified the anti-secular agenda of certain groups.
The 21st century has brought new challenges to India’s secular fabric with 786% rise in communal hatred since 2014. Mob lynchings on suspicion of cow slaughter and campaigns against interfaith marriages becoming distressingly common. The Gujarat riots of 2002, one of the most gruesome instances of religious violence, showcased the pernicious consequences of communalism. The Ministry of Home Affairs stated there were 3400 communal riots from 2016 to 2020, revealing a disturbing trend.
