1. Introduction 

India, long celebrated as a tolerant ‘unity in diversity’ democracy, now faces existential questions. Under Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist BJP, religious violence has surged, institutions are politicized, and the world watches—uneasily—as a potential superpower fractures along old fault lines.

 

2. Modi’s Rise & Hindu Nationalism

• Background:Modi’s roots in RSS (far-right Hindu group – Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a right-wing Hindutva paramilitary volunteer organisation.), 2002 Gujarat riots controversy. (Modi as a chief minister of Gujarat)
• Policies:
  • Citizenship Amendment Act (2019): Fast-tracks citizenship for non-Muslim migrants.
  • Article 370 repeal: Stripped Kashmir’s autonomy (Muslim-majority region).
  • Data Point:
    • Religious violence rises since 2014 (per HRW).

3. The Myth of Tolerance

• Pre-Modi Era: Examples of Hindu-Muslim syncretism. Here is more detailed look at some examples: Let’s look at some more detailed at these examples:

• Today:
  • Lynching mobs target Muslims over cow slaughter rumors. Vigilante ‘Cow Protection’ Groups Attack Minorities

    

  • Sikh farmers’ protests met with state violence. – 2020-2021 farmers’ protests

    

• Quote: “My Sikh friend won’t wear his turban in Delhi anymore.” (Anonymous testimonial).
• Bhupinder Virdi quotes:

  Hi paranjay, i am really happy to see that you are interested in knowing this.

  Firstly, a brief piece of knowledge i would like to share and ask you to follow is; Turban is tied never worn. So whenever u refer to turban say tied not worn. You might ask, why so? Because we wear a cap,hat or any other headgear. But, we sikhs believe that turban is not merely a headgear but a part of us, our body and its purity is what makes it special.

  Secondly, Paranjay we sikhs dont wear caps instead of turbans. We may wear it as an alternative because turban has to be of a certain size and its quite an energy absorbing task to keep it tied 24*7.

  Thirdly, wearing cap is just a matter of choice. Some dont wear it when not tying turban. Some wear “parna”( smaller version of turban). Or tie “patka”(usually kids tie it to avoid the weight of turban aged b/w 4–15 yrs).

  Thirdly, as mentioned because of its size during some tasks you cant tie turban. Lets say river rafting, now turban for sikhs is the most honourable identity that our guru gave us so it has to be respected and while rafting due to its rough nature you might end up falling in water and your turban floating in the river going away or getting torned and obviously becoming dirty. So we avoid wearing turban on such occasion.

  Now, wearing cap is more a fashion fad. To look cool. But believe me it doesn’t make you any less religious(for my sikh brothers who might object.) And not cool too.

  To sum up, its a matter of choice but its not neccessary to wear a cap when not tying turban.

  Thanks, Cheers!

  4. Geopolitical Paradox
  • Military Power: World’s 2nd-largest military

    

    ,  nuclear-armed

    

    , BRICS member.

    

  • Pakistan Split:1947 Partition trauma  “India-Pakistan Patition“+ ongoing “Kashmir conflict“.

    

  • S. Courtship: Biden calls India a “critical partner” despite rights abuses.

    

  5. Conclusion (Call to Action)

  “India’s soul hangs in the balance. Will it return to pluralism, or become a Hindu supremacist state? The answer affects billions—and could destabilize Asia. Share this article. Tag Indian diplomats. #SaveIndianDemocracy