Chinmayi Joshi, Grade 9
High School Runner-up
Basking Ridge, NJ
Divisive Beliefs
India is characterized through its booming industries and growing economy. It is known for its exceedingly large population of 1.38 billion people. India is also renowned for its rich heritage and diverse cultures. This all merges under one broad spectrum - India’s political system. Known as the world’s largest democracy, as well as a secular nation, India has a vast array of religions and cultures. However, this supposed secularism does not pertain to all aspects of Indian culture and life. A major issue that permeates Indian society is the divide between different religions, such as Hinduism and Islam. As a result, religion-based violence has increased greatly since the time of the Partition and Indian Independence.
As an Indian American born and brought up in the United States, it was initially shocking for me to see such outward hatred toward other religions. To hear barbed comments, and back-handed compliments was something akin to a daily experience. As I grew up, I realized this wasn’t right. After all, the very foundation of the United States of America is built on striving for equality, for being united against injustices. Whether through women’s suffrage or the Civil Rights movement, Americans have and continue to fight for inclusivity. So how come this didn’t translate in daily conversations about other belief systems? Somehow, I constantly heard a superiority complex, while other religions were looked down on.
Hinduism is the majority religion in India, with 79.8% of the sweeping population following it. Islam is the next main religion, with 14.2% of the population being Muslim. Hindu nationalism plays a big role in politics and daily life. Throughout India’s tumultuous history, clashes between Muslims and Hindus are not only common, but a major chunk of history. Even present day, discriminatory practices exist and actively harm not only the minority religions, but all involved parties. As Coretta Scott King said, “Hate is too great a burden to bear. It injures the hater more than it injures the hated”. Her quote perfectly sums up the situation. People following different religions are constantly at each other’s throats, harming their community and others with their over-zealous actions.
Religion-based laws force the two religions to be constantly pitted against each other. One prime example is the Citizen Amendment Act, which was passed in 2019. It allows those with religious identities aside from Islam and Judaism to have a fast-track to citizenship, and they are no longer considered illegal immigrants. This difference in laws based on religion causes strife between different religious groups, and reduces the ‘secular’ aspect of India. Laws that make judgement based on religion in any way negatively affect both parties. Polygamy in India is another such example wherein religion plays a factor. Polygamy, or having more than one spouse, is legal only for Muslims, and not for any other resident in India. Religion-based laws play off of the tension already present between religions and escalate it to a greater degree.
While youth in America cannot do much to change Indian laws, they can bring awareness to it, by advocating for removing religion-based laws, American youth can spark discussion in households. Additionally, youth can help the common people see that the laws are causing tension, not the members of the other religion themselves. By understanding and advocating for equality in laws, youths can inspire others.
Furthermore, the conspiracy theories spread religious strife as well. For example, the conspiracy theory of “Love Jihad”, a theory that claims that Muslim men purposefully entrap Hindu women in marriage in order to convert them to Islam. Such conspiracy theories further the mistrust between religions and sow seeds that can grow into hate and violent actions.
The mistrust and hatred has built up since the partition time, and it is at a tipping point. The one thing they can agree on is that communal violence is a growing national threat. 65% of Muslims and Hindus believe that violence in community is a growing issue.
This divide originates in something that seems inconsequential - conversation. Such hatred and discrimination start from the conversations held at home and with others. It begins by turning a blind eye to biased speech. Even despite being born and brought up in the United States, I hear derogatory speech toward other religions, often from my own relatives. It is my firm belief that change starts at home. Regardless of religion or beliefs, Indian Americans need to speak up when they overhear negative comments about different belief systems.
Change can only occur when people’s mindsets change - something that is very difficult to do. However, it is not impossible. By speaking up when they feel that other religions are being targeted, youths in both India and the United States can bring a fresh outlook on outdated principles. This is the power of the next generation - the power to spark change.
I clearly recall hushed discussions about the growing Muslim majority and the influence of Islam in India. Small comments as I grew up piled up and up, and I only realized the weight of these after I made friends of different religions. Meeting Muslims and Christians and Jews who were so set apart from the stereotypes made me reconsider everything I heard growing up. As today’s youth reflect upon their actions and the actions of those they are closest to, they must make unbiased judgements. They must build upon the principles of equality and fairness embedded in our society and educate their friends and family. True courage is being able to speak up when you witness injustices. Even the smallest comments make a difference, and so, I implore every youth to be mindful of their language and to be willing to help educate those clinging on to earlier hatred. I implore the older generations to keep an open mind and be willing to change in the face of new ideas.
By having meaningful conversations, together, we can begin to bridge the religious divide and help build a more secular India. An India as our forefathers imagined it - for everyone, regardless of race, gender, caste, or religion.
Works Cited
“Combating Religious Discrimination in India and Beyond.” United States Institute of Peace, 13 May 2020, https://www.usip.org/publications/2020/05/combating-religious-discrimination-india-and-beyond. Accessed 31 May 2022.
Hausman, Gary. “Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) – Global Studies Blog.” Columbia University Libraries Blogs, 10 December 2020, https://blogs.cul.columbia.edu/global-studies/2020/12/10/citizenship-amendment-act-caa-and-national-register-of-citizens-nrc/. Accessed 31 May 2022.
Hirwani, Peony. “Religious, Caste, Racial Discrimination Has Broken India.” Business Insider, 7 February 2021, https://www.businessinsider.com/religious-conflicts-caste-racial-discrimination-has-broken-india-into-pieces-2021-1. Accessed 31 May 2022.
Kramer, Stephanie. “Religious groups of India by the numbers: Key findings.” Pew Research Center, 21 September 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/09/21/key-findings-about-the-religious-composition-of-india/. Accessed 31 May 2022.
Pandey, Geeta. “Polygamy: Muslim women in India fight 'abhorrent' practice.” BBC, 9 May 2022, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61351784. Accessed 31 May 2022.
“Religious freedom, discrimination and communal relations in India.” Pew Research Center, 29 June 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/06/29/religious-freedom-discrimination-and-communal-relations/. Accessed 31 May 2022.
Shih, Gerry. “Violent Hindu-Muslim clashes break out in several Indian states.” The Washington Post, 20 April 2022, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/20/india-hindu-muslim-communal-violence/. Accessed 31 May 2022.