India’s changing face

But the country’s present leaders - some of who are allegedly Hindu revivalists, seem to be standing against the unity of the nation - the one solid India we have grown to love, whose pillars were based on the concept of tolerance and secularism.

India is a nation whose principles are non-violence and pluralism and it is unfair to use Hindu nationalism to lead a country that is blessed with many religions and cultures.

It is time the intelligentsia of the country stood as one for the betterment of the country and arrest those who cause unhealthy developments. Movements like cow vigilantism and activities to control the beef trade need to stop. They are creating intolerance bordering on communalism. These could take India to a condition, wherein its ideal of secularism can be put in considerable jeopardy. To keep our ideals of ‘socialist secular’ republic alive, there have to be more efforts from the Modi government. Indians need to remember that democracy is all about tolerance and broadmindedness. Not narrow political thinking based on communalism.

The reader is a teacher and freelance journalist based in India.