Which among the following does not pose challenge to diversity of India?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → secularism
Option (1) communalism — Poses a challenge (Incorrect). Communalism is aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity, an attitude that sees one’s own group as the only worthy one and others as inferior and opposed. It sets religious communities against each other and so threatens a diverse society.
Option (2) regionalism — Poses a challenge (Incorrect). Regionalism is rooted in India’s diversity of languages, cultures, tribes and religions and is fuelled by a sense of regional deprivation. Indian federalism has had to accommodate these sentiments, which is why regionalism is one of the challenges of cultural diversity.
Option (3) casteism — Poses a challenge (Incorrect). Casteism is discrimination and hostility based on caste, favouring one’s own caste and looking down on others. It divides people by birth and works against the living together of different groups.
Option (4) secularism — Does not pose a challenge (Correct). In India a secular state is one that does not favour any particular religion over others; secularism here means equal respect for all religions, the opposite of religious chauvinism. Far from threatening diversity, it is the way the state protects and accommodates it.
NCERT (2025-26): “6.2 Regionalism in the Indian Context … Regionalism in India is rooted in India’s diversity of languages, cultures, tribes, and religions. It is also encouraged by the geographical concentration of these identity markers in particular regions, and fuelled by a sense of regional deprivation. Indian federalism has been a means of accommodating these regional sentiments…” “Communalism … In everyday language, the word ‘communalism’ refers to aggressive chauvinism based on religious identity. Chauvinism itself is an attitude that sees one’s own group as the only legitimate or worthy group, with other groups being seen – by definition – as inferior, illegitimate and opposed. Thus, to simplify further, communalism is an aggressive political ideology linked to religion.…” “Secularism … The Indian meanings of secular and secularism include the western sense but also involve others. The most common use of secular in everyday language is as the opposite of communal. So, a secular person or state is one that does not favour any particular religion over others. Secularism in this sense is the opposite of religious chauvinism and it need not necessarily imply hostility to religion as such. In terms of the state-religion relationship, this sense of secularism implies equal respect for all religions, rather than separation or distancing. For example, the secular Indian state declares public holidays to mark the festivals of all religions.…” |