Context: In a vibrant democracy like India, there is room for differences and debate but not disconnect.
Key Elements of India’s Vibrant Democracy
Diverse and plural society: with innate cosmopolitanism due to a history of engagement with other races and cultures as a result of invasions, migrations, trade, or evangelical missions.
Accommodative & inclusive Nationalism: with a sense of common humanity and unique heterogeneity in terms of race, religion, language and traditions.
Nationalism is derived out of the shared historical experience and mutual enrichment of cultures.
Political democracy: with a shared sense of common citizenship (ensures the ability to connect each other as Indians) is aligned with India’s own striving as an independent nation.
Way Forward For India
Acknowledge myriad identities and voices: because those who seek identity through exclusion narrow their own space.
Hindu unity cannot be built on a Hindu-Muslim binary because Hindus are also deeply attached to their other identities (like language, caste group, religious sect, economic/business group).
Ensure label-free society: because labels not only preclude connecting and understanding but also prevent sharing and celebrating diversity.
For example, labeling protesting farmers as infiltrated by ‘Khalistanis’, Maoists and left-wing provocateurs, Muslim community as pro-Pakistan sympathies, writers and social activists as ‘urban Naxals’ will prevent the speaking and listening.
Conclusion: India is too diverse a country to allow a monochromatic frame to be imposed on it, hence allow diverse society to become even more varied and vibrant.