Is India Still Secular? A Reflection on Changing Ideals

The Question of India's Secular Identity

India, once celebrated as a secular beacon in the diverse and fragmented subcontinent, now stands at a critical juncture. The ideals championed by visionaries like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru—of unity, pluralism, and secular governance—appear increasingly tenuous. Under the strains of political populism, religious nationalism, and socio-cultural shifts, the foundational question resurfaces: Was India ever truly secular, or was this merely an aspirational ideal? More importantly, is India today edging closer to the divisive principles of the two-nation theory it once firmly rejected?

 

This article delves into the roots of Indian secularism, its current challenges, and the implications for the nation’s pluralistic ethos.

 

 The Foundations of Indian Secularism

 Gandhi’s Vision: Unity Through Nonviolence

Mahatma Gandhi envisioned secularism not as the negation of religion but as the harmonious coexistence of all faiths. For Gandhi, India’s strength lay in its diversity—its Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians living as one. His philosophy of Ahimsa (nonviolence) was not merely a political tool but a moral framework designed to bridge interfaith divides, fostering mutual respect and collective harmony.

 

 Nehru’s Pragmatism: Secularism as a Shield Against Fragmentation

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, viewed secularism as indispensable to preserving national unity, particularly after the trauma of Partition. For him, secular governance was a safeguard against the divisive potential of religion in politics. Nehru institutionalized these ideals, culminating in the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution in 1976, which formally declared India a secular state. Yet, this vision began to falter after his death, as sectarian politics gained ground, exposing the fragility of the ideal in a deeply religious society.

 

 The Erosion of Secularism: A Nation Divided

 The Rise of Religious Nationalism

The advent of Hindutva—a vision of India rooted in Hindu cultural supremacy—has significantly accelerated the erosion of India’s secular fabric. Spearheaded by organizations like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and promoted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this ideology marginalizes minorities, particularly Muslims, while rewriting India’s cultural and historical narratives. Renaming cities and landmarks with Islamic origins, such as changing Allahabad to Prayagraj, exemplifies this effort. These symbolic acts aim to erase the contributions of Muslims to India’s history, casting them as outsiders in the very nation they helped shape.

 

 The Social Isolation of Muslims

In regions like Uttar Pradesh, the syncretic culture of Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb—a blend of Hindu and Muslim traditions—is under siege. Muslims increasingly face social exclusion, with narratives of "othering" infiltrating everyday life. Traditions where Muslims once actively participated, such as crafting effigies for Hindu festivals or supporting pilgrimages like the Kumbh Mela, have seen calls for their exclusion.

 

Rewriting History: The Erasure of Muslim Contributions

The cultural marginalization of Muslims extends to linguistic and symbolic domains. Persian-derived terms are being replaced with Sanskritized alternatives, a calculated move to diminish India’s Islamic heritage. Such efforts echo the concerns of scholars like Amrita Basu, who argue that Hindutva’s agenda has evolved from militant activism to cultural domination, reshaping India’s collective memory.

 

The Politics of Polarization: From Congress to BJP

The communal divide in India predates the BJP’s rise. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots under Congress exposed the party’s failure to uphold secular principles, paving the way for the BJP’s Hindutva-driven politics. Under BJP rule, policies like the abrogation of Article 370, the construction of the Ram Temple, and the push for a Uniform Civil Code have institutionalized the shift away from secularism. These measures signal a deliberate reorientation of India’s identity, aligning it more closely with majoritarian ideals.

 

 Is India Embracing the Two-Nation Theory?

Ironically, the trajectory of modern Indian politics seems to lend credence to the two-nation theory—a philosophy that argued Hindus and Muslims could not coexist within a single nation. While Muhammad Ali Jinnah was once criticized for his divisive vision, today’s India appears to echo the same principles, fostering exclusion and alienation. By marginalising minorities and promoting religious hegemony, India risks further fracturing its social fabric. Whether this is a temporary phase or an irreversible shift remains a question of profound significance.

 

A Secular Future or a Religious State?

India’s transition from a secular ideal to a polarised reality presents a stark challenge to its pluralistic heritage. While the resurgence of religious nationalism threatens to redefine the nation’s identity, history offers a glimmer of hope. India has always thrived on its diversity, and reclaiming its secular ethos requires a collective effort to reject divisive narratives and uphold constitutional principles. The future of India’s secular identity depends on whether its leaders and citizens can rise above sectarianism and reaffirm the pluralism that has long been its hallmark. Whether this period of polarisation is a passing tremor or a seismic shift will ultimately define the nation's legacy.