Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
4. A Hindu-Hindi definition threatens to override a superordinate civic identity underlined by the Indian Constitution. Elucidate. (250 words)
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The article brings to us insights on the idea of Indian. It presents a detailed analysis of “Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation”, a report published by the Pew Research Center.
Key Demand of the question:
Analyse in detail in what way a Hindu-Hindi definition threatens to override a superordinate civic identity underlined by the Indian Constitution.
Directive:
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the particular context. You must be defining key terms where ever appropriate, and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start with the idea of religion in India.
Body:
Explain first the paradox of Indian identity: Despite the centrality of religion and caste in India’s social and political life, there is a larger “superordinate” civic identity that exists.
While most Indians prefer to live in neighborhoods of their caste or religion; prefers endogamy, a high proportion of Indians (82-88%) also say that being “truly Indian” means respecting all religions.
The starting point of the Indian paradox is the high incidence of bonding as opposed to bridging — bonding within one’s religious and caste communities, not bridging across such boundaries.
Muslims with syncretized features: India’s Muslims are closer to Indian Hindus than to Pakistani or Bangladeshi Muslims.
India’s Muslims subscribe to the idea of karma, as much as the Hindus do; every fourth Muslim believes in reincarnation, in the purificatory power of the Ganga, in the multiple manifestations of God; and every fifth Muslim celebrates Diwali.
Unstructured hyphenated identities: Indians want to be Hindus and Indians, Muslims and Indians, Christians and Indians, and so on.
Conclusion:
If regional pushback (from South Indian) expands its geographical ambit, the Hindi-Hindu-India politics will be weakened, and the superordinate identity will become stronger. If the current regime manages to reverse the pushback, India will be headed towards a breakdown of its superordinate civic identity.
