Hinduising India: secularism in practice

This paper challenges the academic and media consensus on the notion that India is a secular state. It does so by marshalling empirical evidence that, far from being a state practising neutrality between the religious affiliations of Indian society or equidistance from all religions, the Indian stat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Third world quarterly 2008-12, Vol.29 (8), p.1545-1562
Main Author: Khalidi, Omar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Armies
Autonomy
Buddhism
Christianity
Christians
Church State Relationship
Culture
Employment discrimination
Freedom of religion
Government and politics
Hinduism
Hindus
India
Internet
Islam
Islamic law
Muslims
Nation
Public policy
Religion
Religion and politics
Religious liberty
Secularism
Secularization
State
Violations
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Summary:This paper challenges the academic and media consensus on the notion that India is a secular state. It does so by marshalling empirical evidence that, far from being a state practising neutrality between the religious affiliations of Indian society or equidistance from all religions, the Indian state is actually and directly involved in Hinduisation of the country. It does this by promoting Hinduism through 'reform' and favouritism at state expense. While the constitution guarantees educational and cultural autonomy as well as religious freedom, in practice there are widespread and systematic violations by state institutions. In public employment the state follows discriminatory policies to perpetuate the Hindu majority by restricting religious freedom. The discriminatory policies are most visible in affirmative action policies and recruitment in the army. Contrary to some academic writings, the paper establishes that the Hinduisation of the Indian state is not only associated with the votaries of Hindutva represented by a 'family', or parivar, of Hindu militant groups. The notion of India as a Hindu state pre-dates the creation of the postcolonial state in 1947, and was inherent in the militant right wing of the Congress Party, which perceived Christians and Muslims as foreigners. There is, the paper demonstrates, major continuity between the educational, cultural and employment policies pursued by the Indian state regardless of the party in power. The paper is based on primary Indian sources and interviews in India and abroad.
ISSN:0143-6597
1360-2241
DOI:10.1080/01436590802528614