India is not only a racially diverse country but also has a unique pluralistic character in terms of the number of religions practiced. The Partition of 1947 was a lesson in adversity. Pakistan became a theocratic state that made Islam a state religion. Perhaps sensing the dangers of a similar experiment in a country with such religious diversity, the founding fathers of the Indian Constitution steered clear of this trajectory. While communal and religious clashes are part of the DNA of this country, and while we struggle to contain such episodes, the recent religious ferment created by the Sangh Parivar, particularly the Rashtriya Sevak Sangh (RSS) in the form of the Ghar Wapasi or reconversion programmes, after the NDA Government came to power in May last year, is a cause of serious concern. It has created ripples in different circles and non-Hindu minorities such as Muslims and Christians fear an assault on their religious freedom. The Ghar Wapasi programmes conducted at different places by the RSS have been rightly highlighted by the media. This was not lost on our Republic Day, Chief Guest, Barack Obama. Despite the apparent bonhomie with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Obama gave a parting shot when he spoke to a select audience and said that as long as India stuck to its secular credentials it will make progress but if it slides into religious oppression by a religious majority group it will splinter.
This is a timely reminder for Narendra Modi to rein in the Hindu fringe which derives its power from the NDA Government at the Centre. The sudden upsurge of the Hindutva forces is not lost on anyone. A fear psychosis pervades across states with non-Hindu minorities. Mr Modi has promised development but this remains an unfulfilled promise. What is visible is the strident Hindutva agenda being unleashed on a population that does not have the clout to make an informed choice. This is a dangerous trend for a country that professes to be secular. This could also be a cause for India’s implosion a la Pakistan.