Members of Indian Theological Association (ITA) say the ‘one religion, one culture, one language’ mantra of the religious nationalism challenges India’s diversity and secular ethos.
Some 70 theologians dis-cussed the theme “challenges of religious nationalism in India today” at their annual meeting and analyzed the complexity of the present Indian reality from various angles in the context of the current political scenario.
Through various papers presented during the April 26-29 gathering in Bangalore, they discussed the threat religious nationalism has posed to the secular and democratic foundations of the country.
Besides challenging the diversity of cultures, religions, languages and ethnic groups, the religious nationalism also threatens the existence of millions, who are systematically marginalized and deprived of their basic dignity.
The present political and social scenario of hatred, mistrust and violence compels every Indian “to reinvent and rejuvenate” the resources and claims of invincible Indian identity which has fostered, through the centuries, the unity and integrity of India, the papers said.
While searching together adequate theological response to the threat of religious nationalism, the theologians urged Christians to actively join the social mainstream to engage with others fighting the destructive trend.
They stressed the need to safeguard the fundamental rights ensured by the Constitution of the India, which is the ‘referral’ for the people of India to defend their secular and democratic rights.
