Context: In a pre-election survey carried out by CSDS, 79% of people voted that India belongs to all religions. The belief in plurality and diversity of India is more pronounced in urban areas (84%) and higher among educated classes (83%).
About pluralism
Pluralism refers to the country's rich diversity in terms of cultures, religions, languages, and traditions coexisting within one nation. India is celebrated as a pluralistic society where various communities with different backgrounds and beliefs live together harmoniously.
Constitutional provisions with respect to pluralism:
- Preamble: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India to be a sovereign, socialist, secular, and democratic republic. It further gives liberty of thought expression belief faith and worship to all; this reflects the respect towards the ideal of secularism and religious pluralism from the outset.
- Article 25 - Freedom of Religion: Article 25 guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. This ensures that individuals have the right to follow any religion of their choice without discrimination.
- Article 26 - Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs: Article 26 grants every religious denomination or section thereof the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes, manage its own affairs in matters of religion, and own and acquire movable and immovable property.
- Article 27 - Freedom from Taxation for Religious Purposes: Article 27 ensures that no person can be compelled to pay taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious institution.
- Article 28 - Freedom from Religious Instruction in Educational Institutions: Article 28 provides that no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained by state funds. However, it allows educational institutions established by religious minorities to impart religious instruction to students of that religion.
- Article 29 - Protection of Interests of Minorities: Article 29 protects the interests of minorities by granting them the right to conserve their distinct language, script, or culture. This ensures the preservation of religious and cultural diversity in India.
- Article 30 - Right of Minorities to Establish and Administer Educational Institutions: Article 30 provides religious and linguistic minorities with the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. This protects their autonomy in educational matters and allows them to impart education in accordance with their religious and cultural beliefs.
Aspects of pluralism in India:
- Cultural Diversity: India is home to multiple cultures, each with its own distinct traditions, art forms, cuisines, and languages. Cultural diversity can be seen in festivals of Holi, Diwali, Eid, and Christmas to the varied cuisines of different regions, Indian culture reflects a variety of influences.
- Cultural pluralism ensures a state in which minority groups maintain their own cultural identities while participating actively in all aspects of the dominant society.
- In a culturally pluralistic society, different groups are tolerant and can coexist without major conflict, but minorities are encouraged to maintain their ancestral customs.
- Racial diversity: 1931 census classified India’s racial diversity in the following groups- The Negrito, The Proto-Australoid, The Mongoloid, The Mediterranean, The Western Brachycephals and the Nordic. Representatives of all the three major races of the world, namely Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid, are found in the country.
- Religious Pluralism: India is birthplace to several major religions like Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism, among others. People of various faiths coexist peacefully, and religious tolerance is a fundamental value enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
- Linguistic Diversity: India has over 1,600 languages and dialects, which make it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Linguistic diversity of india has been given constitutional protection under Article 343-351 and Eighth schedule of Indian Constitution.
- Political Pluralism: India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic, where power is shared between the central government and individual states. Our democratic system allows for diverse political ideologies and parties to participate in elections and governance, enhancing our country's pluralistic ethos.
- Social Pluralism: Indian society comprises various social groups based on factors such as caste, ethnicity, and economic status. Despite historical challenges like the caste system, efforts towards social equality and inclusivity have been undertaken (Article 17, Protection of Civil Rights Act 1955, SCs and STs Prevention of atrocities act 1989), which are aimed at creating a more equitable society.
- Artistic and Intellectual Pluralism: India has a rich tradition of art, architecture, literature, music, and philosophy, with contributions from diverse cultural backgrounds. This plurality is reflected in classical dance forms, literary traditions, philosophical schools of thought etc.
- Regional diversity: India has regions such as snowcapped mountains of Himalayas, to deserts of Rajasthan to Evergreen forests of Northeast India to the great plains of Northern India to the coastal plains of south India, all this contributes to distinct subcultures and diversity of India.
Challenges to plurality and diversity of India:
- Globalization: Globalization has been held responsible for creation of a monoculture which has led to the erosion of social identity. Globalization leads to homogenization of culture, where people consume the same cultural products regardless of their location. This has led to a loss of cultural diversity and a weakening of local cultural identities.
- Exclusionary Nationalism: Exclusionary nationalism is a product of interwar period in Europe, but its impact can be seen in 21st century as well, Exclusionary nationalist believe that country belongs to one community or religion which is antithetical to the idea of diversity.
- Regionalism: Regionalism highlight interests of a particular region/regions over national interests. It can also adversely impact national integration. Overall law and order situation is hampered due to regional demands and socio-political agitations.
- Communal and divisive politics: At the time of elections, ascriptive identities such as caste, religion etc. are evoked by politicians to garner votes. This type of divisive politics results in violence, feeling of mistrust and suspicion among minorities.
- Development deficit: Uneven pattern of socio-economic development, inadequate economic policies and consequent economic disparities can lead to backwardness of a region. Consequently, this can result in violence, migration and demands of separatism. For instance, economic backwardness was one of the reasons for the demand of Uttarakhand as a separate State.
- Nativism: It leads to clashes between different ethnic groups due to factors such as job competition, limited resources, threat to identity etc. E.g. frequent clashes between Bodos and Bengali speaking Muslims in Assam.
- Son of soil theory: This doctrine is exclusionary in nature. It ties people to their place of birth and confers some benefits, rights, roles, and responsibilities on them, which may not apply to others. (Discrimination against migrants from Bihar in Maharashtra)
- Inter-religious conflicts: They hamper relations between communities by spreading fear and mistrust. They also destroy secular fabric of the country. (Muzaffarnagar riots.) It can be divided into following sub forms-
- Communal violence: Communal violence is a major issue in India, with incidents of violence occurring between different religious communities.
- Religious conversion: Religious conversion is controversial in India, with some religious communities accusing others of forcibly converting people to their religion. The issue of religious conversion has led to tensions and conflicts in parts of the country.
- Religious extremism: Extremist groups advocate violence and promote hatred towards other religious communities for vested interests.
- External factors: Terrorism and armed militancy in Kashmir region and Northeast region are responsible for destroying the interfaith and ethnic harmony in the regions.
Despite the challenges, there is no denying its essential role in sustaining and evolving Indian society. The real issue lies in how diversity is managed. Problems like regionalism, communalism, and ethnic conflicts arise when development benefits are unevenly distributed, and certain cultural groups are not given proper recognition. Therefore, addressing these disparities through equitable development and fostering cultural understanding is vital to mitigating such challenges and building a more inclusive and harmonious society.