harmony in diversity in india essay

• CBSE Class 10th
• CBSE Class 12th
• UP Board 10th
• UP Board 12th
• Bihar Board 10th
• Bihar Board 12th
• Top Schools in India
• Top Schools in Delhi
• Top Schools in Mumbai
• Top Schools in Chennai
• Top Schools in Hyderabad
• Top Schools in Kolkata
• Top Schools in Pune
• Top Schools in Bangalore

Products & Resources

• JEE Main Knockout April
• Free Sample Papers
• Free Ebooks
• NCERT Notes
• NCERT Syllabus
• NCERT Books
• RD Sharma Solutions
• Navodaya Vidyalaya Admission 2024-25
• NCERT Solutions
• NCERT Solutions for Class 12
• NCERT Solutions for Class 11
• NCERT solutions for Class 10
• NCERT solutions for Class 9
• NCERT solutions for Class 8
• NCERT Solutions for Class 7
• JEE Main 2024
• MHT CET 2024
• JEE Advanced 2024
• BITSAT 2024
• View All Engineering Exams
• Colleges Accepting B.Tech Applications
• Top Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in India
• Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Engineering Colleges Accepting JEE Main
• Top IITs in India
• Top NITs in India
• Top IIITs in India
• JEE Main College Predictor
• JEE Main Rank Predictor
• MHT CET College Predictor
• AP EAMCET College Predictor
• GATE College Predictor
• KCET College Predictor
• JEE Advanced College Predictor
• View All College Predictors
• JEE Advanced Cutoff
• JEE Main Cutoff
• JEE Advanced Answer Key
• JEE Advanced Result
• Download E-Books and Sample Papers
• Compare Colleges
• B.Tech College Applications
• KCET Result
• MAH MBA CET Exam
• View All Management Exams

Colleges & Courses

• MBA College Admissions
• MBA Colleges in India
• Top IIMs Colleges in India
• Top Online MBA Colleges in India
• MBA Colleges Accepting XAT Score
• BBA Colleges in India
• XAT College Predictor 2024
• SNAP College Predictor
• NMAT College Predictor
• MAT College Predictor 2024
• CMAT College Predictor 2024
• CAT Percentile Predictor 2023
• CAT 2023 College Predictor
• CMAT 2024 Answer Key
• TS ICET 2024 Hall Ticket
• CMAT Result 2024
• MAH MBA CET Cutoff 2024
• Download Helpful Ebooks
• List of Popular Branches
• QnA - Get answers to your doubts
• IIM Fees Structure
• AIIMS Nursing
• Top Medical Colleges in India
• Top Medical Colleges in India accepting NEET Score
• Medical Colleges accepting NEET
• List of Medical Colleges in India
• List of AIIMS Colleges In India
• Medical Colleges in Maharashtra
• Medical Colleges in India Accepting NEET PG
• NEET College Predictor
• NEET PG College Predictor
• NEET MDS College Predictor
• NEET Rank Predictor
• DNB PDCET College Predictor
• NEET Result 2024
• NEET Asnwer Key 2024
• NEET Cut off
• NEET Online Preparation
• Download Helpful E-books
• Colleges Accepting Admissions
• Top Law Colleges in India
• Law College Accepting CLAT Score
• List of Law Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Delhi
• Top NLUs Colleges in India
• Top Law Colleges in Chandigarh
• Top Law Collages in Lucknow

Predictors & E-Books

• CLAT College Predictor
• MHCET Law ( 5 Year L.L.B) College Predictor
• AILET College Predictor
• Sample Papers
• Compare Law Collages
• Careers360 Youtube Channel
• CLAT Syllabus 2025
• CLAT Previous Year Question Paper
• NID DAT Exam
• Pearl Academy Exam

Predictors & Articles

• NIFT College Predictor
• UCEED College Predictor
• NID DAT College Predictor
• NID DAT Syllabus 2025
• NID DAT 2025
• Design Colleges in India
• Top NIFT Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in India
• Top Interior Design Colleges in India
• Top Graphic Designing Colleges in India
• Fashion Design Colleges in Delhi
• Fashion Design Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Interior Design Colleges in Bangalore
• NIFT Result 2024
• NIFT Fees Structure
• NIFT Syllabus 2025
• Free Design E-books
• List of Branches
• Careers360 Youtube channel
• IPU CET BJMC
• JMI Mass Communication Entrance Exam
• IIMC Entrance Exam
• Media & Journalism colleges in Delhi
• Media & Journalism colleges in Bangalore
• Media & Journalism colleges in Mumbai
• List of Media & Journalism Colleges in India
• CA Intermediate
• CA Foundation
• CS Executive
• CS Professional
• Difference between CA and CS
• Difference between CA and CMA
• CA Full form
• CMA Full form
• CS Full form
• CA Salary In India

Top Courses & Careers

• Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
• Master of Commerce (M.Com)
• Company Secretary
• Cost Accountant
• Charted Accountant
• Credit Manager
• Financial Advisor
• Top Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Government Commerce Colleges in India
• Top Private Commerce Colleges in India
• Top M.Com Colleges in Mumbai
• Top B.Com Colleges in India
• IT Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• IT Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
• MCA Colleges in India
• BCA Colleges in India

Quick Links

• Information Technology Courses
• Programming Courses
• Web Development Courses
• Data Analytics Courses
• Big Data Analytics Courses
• RUHS Pharmacy Admission Test
• Top Pharmacy Colleges in India
• Pharmacy Colleges in Pune
• Pharmacy Colleges in Mumbai
• Colleges Accepting GPAT Score
• Pharmacy Colleges in Lucknow
• List of Pharmacy Colleges in Nagpur
• GPAT Result
• GPAT 2024 Admit Card
• GPAT Question Papers
• NCHMCT JEE 2024
• Mah BHMCT CET
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Delhi
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Hyderabad
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Mumbai
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Tamil Nadu
• Top Hotel Management Colleges in Maharashtra
• B.Sc Hotel Management
• Hotel Management
• Diploma in Hotel Management and Catering Technology

Diploma Colleges

• Top Diploma Colleges in Maharashtra
• UPSC IAS 2024
• SSC CGL 2024
• IBPS RRB 2024
• Previous Year Sample Papers
• Free Competition E-books
• Sarkari Result
• QnA- Get your doubts answered
• UPSC Previous Year Sample Papers
• CTET Previous Year Sample Papers
• SBI Clerk Previous Year Sample Papers
• NDA Previous Year Sample Papers

Upcoming Events

• NDA Application Form 2024
• UPSC IAS Application Form 2024
• CDS Application Form 2024
• CTET Admit card 2024
• HP TET Result 2023
• SSC GD Constable Admit Card 2024
• UPTET Notification 2024
• SBI Clerk Result 2024

Other Exams

• SSC CHSL 2024
• UP PCS 2024
• UGC NET 2024
• RRB NTPC 2024
• IBPS PO 2024
• IBPS Clerk 2024
• IBPS SO 2024
• Top University in USA
• Top University in Canada
• Top University in Ireland
• Top Universities in UK
• Top Universities in Australia
• Best MBA Colleges in Abroad
• Business Management Studies Colleges

Top Countries

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Ireland
• Study in Germany
• Study in China
• Study in Europe

Student Visas

• Student Visa Canada
• Student Visa UK
• Student Visa USA
• Student Visa Australia
• Student Visa Germany
• Student Visa New Zealand
• Student Visa Ireland
• CUET PG 2024
• IGNOU B.Ed Admission 2024
• DU Admission 2024
• UP B.Ed JEE 2024
• LPU NEST 2024
• IIT JAM 2024
• IGNOU Online Admission 2024
• Universities in India
• Top Universities in India 2024
• Top Colleges in India
• Top Universities in Uttar Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Bihar
• Top Universities in Madhya Pradesh 2024
• Top Universities in Tamil Nadu 2024
• Central Universities in India
• CUET DU Cut off 2024
• IGNOU Date Sheet
• CUET DU CSAS Portal 2024
• CUET Response Sheet 2024
• CUET Result 2024
• CUET Participating Universities 2024
• CUET Previous Year Question Paper
• CUET Syllabus 2024 for Science Students
• E-Books and Sample Papers
• CUET Exam Pattern 2024
• CUET Exam Date 2024
• CUET Cut Off 2024
• CUET Exam Analysis 2024
• IGNOU Exam Form 2024
• CUET PG Counselling 2024
• CUET Answer Key 2024

Engineering Preparation

• Knockout JEE Main 2024
• Test Series JEE Main 2024
• JEE Main 2024 Rank Booster

Medical Preparation

• Knockout NEET 2024
• Test Series NEET 2024
• Rank Booster NEET 2024

Online Courses

• JEE Main One Month Course
• NEET One Month Course
• IBSAT Free Mock Tests
• IIT JEE Foundation Course
• Knockout BITSAT 2024
• Career Guidance Tool

Top Streams

• IT & Software Certification Courses
• Engineering and Architecture Certification Courses
• Programming And Development Certification Courses
• Business and Management Certification Courses
• Marketing Certification Courses
• Health and Fitness Certification Courses
• Design Certification Courses

Specializations

• Digital Marketing Certification Courses
• Cyber Security Certification Courses
• Artificial Intelligence Certification Courses
• Business Analytics Certification Courses
• Data Science Certification Courses
• Cloud Computing Certification Courses
• Machine Learning Certification Courses
• View All Certification Courses
• UG Degree Courses
• PG Degree Courses
• Short Term Courses
• Free Courses
• Online Degrees and Diplomas
• Compare Courses

Top Providers

• Coursera Courses
• Udemy Courses
• Edx Courses
• Swayam Courses
• upGrad Courses
• Simplilearn Courses
• Great Learning Courses

Unity In Diversity In India Essay - 100, 200, 500 Words

India is known for its unique ability to unite its people through diversity . India is a secular nation that offers equal support to all major religions. People from these various states have various cultures and a variety of languages. Despite their language, region, culture, and religious differences, they all share the same nationality. India serves as an illustration of diversity and unity.

100 Words Essay on Unity in Diversity in India

200 words essay on unity in diversity in india, 500 words essay on unity in diversity in india.

In its diverse society, India is a nation that is united. Even though our country's population is diverse in terms of religions, languages, and clothing, they are all united. Being a nation with a rich cultural heritage, every state and every region within each state is home to various cultural treasures and traditional practices.

Everything is different from one state to the next, including dances, plays, music, writing, and languages. However, if we carefully observe Indians, we will notice that they respect and adhere to the traditions and cultures of India as a whole. The most admirable quality of our nation is its strength right now: "Unity in Diversity." .

Harmony and unity among various disparate people are called "Unity in Diversity.". These differences might result from cultural norms, political views, religious perspectives, or political beliefs. The idea is known by several other names, including "diversity without fragmentation" and "unity without uniformity" .

According to historical records, this concept was first used by the indigenous people of North America around 400–500 BC. The phrase may also be much older, evolving with societies and civilizations. Additionally, it is a constant fact that people are highly diverse by nature. Conflicts consequently easily develop as a result of these differences.

The phrase "unity in diversity" is rather intriguing from a grammatical standpoint. This is due to the statement's oxymoron construction, which combines the words "unity" and "diversity" . Interestingly, the phrase significantly impacts politics; pacifist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ernesto Teodoro Moneta first used it.

An American equivalent of this phrase is E Pluribus Unum, Latin for " One out of many" or "Out of many, one." . It typically appears as a motto above the Great Seal, a seal used by a head of state to authenticate important and legal documents.

Therefore, the phrase "Unity in Diversity" has broad and profound implications. Its primary purposes are to prevent wars and advance international peace.

"Unity in diversity" suggests that humans are one despite variances in food, clothes, language, traditions, faiths, customs, beliefs, values, and habits . India has a rich cultural and historical past, where people have deep ties and remain united despite cultural diversity. India is the origin of great legends who have taught the world about brotherhood, tolerance, and nonviolence. India boasts one of the world's oldest cultures.

Indian Cultural Diversity

India is a country that is proud of its rich culture and traditions. Food, dress, religion, language, music, dance, food, beliefs, rituals, customs, art, and architecture are all part of Indian culture. Indian culture is becoming increasingly popular all over the world.

Indian Religion

Religion plays an essential role in shaping culture and customs in India. Hinduism is the world's oldest religion, having evolved from the Vedas. Thus, all Hindu scriptures are written in Sanskrit. Following Lord Buddha's preaching,

Buddhism arose as a separate religion that primarily taught about nirvana, ahimsa, and the eightfold path. Jainism of Vardhamana Mahavira traces its existence to the Indus valley Civilisation. The British and French introduced Christianity during colonial authority. Islam appeared in India when the Arabs conquered Sindh. Sikhism began in India towards the end of the 15th century.

Indian Custom

According to Indian custom, you should extend your greetings by folding your hands and uttering "namaste." Children touch the feet of elders to ask for blessings. They favour nuclear families and adhere to the idea of prearranged marriage. Indian traditions instil in people a respect for the elderly and a duty to aid the destitute and needy.

Indian Music, Architecture, and Art

Indian music consists of both classical and traditional styles. Qawwali, thumri, kirtan, Gurbani, and bhajan are common genres. The classical dances Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Odissi, kathakali, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and others are performed in various ways. Bihu, Chhau, bhangra, and thirayattam are examples of folk dances.

Indian Literature

The epic genres of Indian literature are the Vedic and Sanskrit texts. Other well-known works of Indian literature include the Mahabharata, Vedas, Ramayana, Arthasahtra, Shakuntala, Meghduta etc. Reading their biographies, we can learn about the reigns and accomplishments of various kings.

Indian Food

There are regional variations in Indian eating habits. It includes both traditional and regional cuisines. Indian cuisine relies heavily on millet, rice, whole wheat, and various lentils as its main ingredients. Spices are utilised as flavourings, and vegetable oil is used for cooking the food.

Indian Festivals

Festivals bring Indians together. They have a significant role in tradition and culture. Diwali, Shiv Ratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Dussehra, Navratri, Janmashtami, Chhath puja, Onam, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and others are some of the well-known Indian holidays observed by Hindus. Christians observe Christmas, Sikhs observe Gurupurab, and Muslims observe Eid-ul-Fitr, Bakr-id, and Moharram.

My Experiences With Unity in Diversity

My house is in a gated community where people with different religions, castes, creeds and languages live together. But at every festival, all the people of the apartment gather to celebrate the festival, whether it be Diwali, Christmas, Pongal, Onam or Ramzan, which gives me a feeling of unity in our diversity.

Applications for Admissions are open.

Aakash iACST Scholarship Test 2024

Get up to 90% scholarship on NEET, JEE & Foundation courses

ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

Register FREE for ALLEN Digital Scholarship Admission Test (ADSAT)

JEE Main Important Physics formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Physics formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

PW JEE Coaching

Enrol in PW Vidyapeeth center for JEE coaching

JEE Main Important Chemistry formulas

As per latest 2024 syllabus. Chemistry formulas, equations, & laws of class 11 & 12th chapters

ALLEN JEE Exam Prep

Start your JEE preparation with ALLEN

Download Careers360 App's

Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile

Certifications

We Appeared in

• Unity In Diversity Essay

Unity in Diversity Essay

500+ words essay on unity in diversity.

The term “Unity in Diversity” refers to the state of togetherness or oneness in spite of the presence of huge diversity. “Unity in Diversity” is based on the concept where the individual or social differences in physical attributes, skin colour, caste, creed, cultural and religious practices, etc., are not looked upon as a conflict. Instead, these differences are looked upon as varieties that enrich society and the nation as a whole. Unity in diversity is a very important principle because we all live in a diverse world. It is crucial to respect each other and support each other no matter what our culture, background, gender, orientation, or other differences may be. With the help of this ‘Unity in Diversity’ Essay, we will help students understand how we all stand together even though there exist many differences among us. Students can also practise essays on other topics to improve their writing skills.

Unity in Diversity in Indian Society

India is a land of unity in diversity. It is a vast country with numerous variations in races, cultures, languages and even geographical features. In many countries of the world, major geographical features divide international borders, e.g. Nepal and China are separated by the Himalayas. However, in India, we have learned to live in diversity, and our geographical features further solidify this bond. The Punjab region is known for being one of the most potent agricultural lands on earth. The Northern Mountainous region has come across different people and different languages. In the Rajasthan desert, we come across Rajasthani languages and culture, all part of India, yet distinct in their culture and language. To the further south come the people of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, and Karnataka, all distinctive languages and cuisines.

India is a plural society. Its unity and diversity characterize it. Despite several foreign invasions, Mughal rule and British rule, the nation’s unity and integrity have been maintained. It is this synthesis that has made India a unique mosaic of cultures. India fought against the British Raj as one unified entity. The existence of diverse languages, religions and cultures, foreign visitors and immigration from other parts of the world have made India’s culture tolerant. The sources of diversity in India may be traced in a variety of ways.

Post-Independent India is a nation united against several odds and obstacles. The idea of the unity of India is inherent in all historical and socio-cultural facts as well as in cultural heritage. India is a secular state, and it has a constitution providing guarantees for people belonging to diverse regions, religions, cultures and languages. It covers people belonging to all socioeconomic strata. The Five Year Plans and several other developmental schemes are geared to uplift the poor and weaker sections of society.

India has been able to project itself as a single territorial unit in the face of physical, political, social and economic contrasts. The Great Plains, which is between the Himalayan ranges on the one hand and Peninsular India on the other has a unifying role. Climatically, the monsoonal rhythm of seasons provides a strong element of uniformity. The concentration of monsoonal rainfall to a few months in a year and the associated agricultural activities occur in India. Many cultural traditions are strongly tied to the monsoons. Saints have spread the message of universal brotherhood, which has helped a great deal in uniting different sections of society in India and making the country a unified nation.

India’s vast diversity is matched by its geographical features and shows the strength of the country. The extraordinary characteristic of India is that in spite of all diversity in different fields-physical, social, linguistic, cultural and religious; there is a fundamental thread of unity.

In India, there are followers of different religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. All religions have their sects and sub-divisions. So, there is diversity not only in regard to religious, racial compositions and linguistic distinction but also in patterns of living, occupational pursuits, land tenure systems, lifestyles, inheritance and succession law. Even the practices and rites related to birth, death, marriage and various functions are performed differently by each religion.

In the book “The Discovery of India”, Jawaharlal Nehru says that Indian unity is not something imposed from the outside but rather, “It was something deeper and within its fold, the widest tolerance of belief and custom was practised and every variety acknowledged and even encouraged.” It was Nehru who coined the phrase “Unity in Diversity” to describe India.

We hope this essay on Unity in Diversity must have helped students in improving their writing section. For more study material and the latest updates on CBSE/ICSE/State Board/Competitive exams, keep visiting BYJU’S. Also, download the BYJU’S App for interactive study videos.

Frequently asked Questions on Unity in diversity Essay

Why should students be aware of this ‘unity in diversity’ concept.

It is not only enough for students and children to be aware of unity in diversity but should also practise the same. This is one of the base concepts in our preamble.

Can essay writing preparation be done at the last minute?

Essay writing requires a detailed understanding of the topic concerned and wide knowledge of current affairs. Having a good vocabulary will be an added advantage. It also requires regular practise in structuring paragraphs and arranging ideas logically.

Why is it necessary to practise essay writing questions before the Board exam?

Essay writing requires proper structuring and framing of paragraphs. Also, the continuity of information should be sequential. Therefore, adequate and prior practice in essay writing is essential.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Request OTP on Voice Call

Post My Comment

Register with BYJU'S & Download Free PDFs

Register with byju's & watch live videos.

Unity in Diversity Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on unity in diversity.

Unity in Diversity is a concept that signifies unity among individuals who have certain differences among them. These differences can be on the basis of culture, language, ideology, religion , sect, class, ethnicity, etc. Furthermore, the existence of this concept has been since time immemorial. Since then, it has been used by a variety of political and social organizations to symbolize unity among various persons or communities. People from many cultures, religious beliefs, and social statuses coexisting in peace and love is a prime illustration of “Unity in Diversity.” People have consistently shown this praiseworthy behaviour almost everywhere on Earth . The concept has certainly resulted in the ethical and moral evolution of humanity.

Unity in Diversity

The phrase “Unity in Diversity” refers to harmony and peace. It is employed among various groups to ensure that tolerance is uniform. Caste, creed, race, and nationality are all examples of diversity. Physical, cultural, linguistic, and political differences are also included in unity in diversity.

It educates all humans and living beings to unify and find methods to bond with one another despite their differences. This will create an environment in which individuals can coexist harmoniously. “Unity in Diversity” is a long-standing concept that may be traced back to Western and Eastern traditions.

Unity in Diversity in India

The existence of oneness despite numerous distinctions is the meaning of unity in variety. India is one of the excellent examples one can learn to understand the concept of Unity in diversity. We can clearly observe that people of all religions, creeds, castes, dialects, cultures, lifestyles, dressing sense, faith in God, rituals of worship, and so on coexist peacefully under one roof, i.e. in one country of India. We can never forget the liberation movements led by Indians of all faiths, religions and castes to establish India as an independent country. In India, the struggle for freedom is a magnificent example of unity in diversity.

India is the world’s largest and most populous country, home to people of various religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Parsees, all of which believe in the same Dharma and Karma doctrine. The Indian society is god-fearing by nature, believing in soul purification, reincarnation, salvation, heaven’s luxury, and hell’s punishments. People here celebrate their religious holidays (Holi, Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Good Friday, Mahavir Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Ganesh Chaturthi and so on) in a very peaceful manner, without causing harm to other religious people.

In India, Hindi is the mother tongue, but many other dialects and languages are spoken by people of various religions and regions (such as English, Urdu, Sanskrit, Bhojpuri, Bihari, Punjabi, Marathi, Bengali, Odiya, Gujarati, Malayali, Kashmiri, and so on); however, everyone is proud to be a citizen of great India.

The story of India’s unity amid variety is remarkable because it conveys a clear message that the country is more powerful than any religion or community in particular. Around 1.3 billion people live in harmony and contentment. With the world’s second-largest population of numerous ethnic and religious groupings, India is now the most important secular country, with a distinct character of unity in diversity.

Advantages of Unity in Diversity

First of all, following Unity in Diversity implies an interaction between many types of individuals. These individuals will probably have certain differences among them. This would occur also in workplaces, schools, public places, etc. Most noteworthy, working with diverse people provides an opportunity for exposure. Furthermore, this interaction would build up a tolerance in people. Hence, people would respect the opinion of others.

Unity in Diversity certainly enhances the quality of teamwork. This is because of the development of trust and bonding among people. As such the coordination and cooperation becomes very efficient. Consequently, the rate of completion of projects significantly increases.

In the world of business, a new principle is being followed. This principle is to think global and act locally. The reason for using this principle by companies is different social and cultural traditions. This principle is certainly a victory for the concept of Unity in Diversity. Also, more and more companies are doing business in different regions of the World.

The concept of Unity in Diversity is effective in solving various social problems . This is possible as diverse people tend to know each other. Consequently, this increases mutual respect among the people.

Unity in Diversity is very useful for a diverse country. Above all, the concept allows people of different religions, cultures, castes, to live together peacefully. The belief in Unity in Diversity certainly reduces the chances of riots and disturbances.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Unity in Diversity in Politics

The phrase Unity in Diversity has become a symbol of Canadian multiculturalism. Adélard Godbout, Premier of Quebec, first used this phrase in Canada. Canada certainly is an excellent example of Unity in Diversity. Above all, there is very low racism in Canada. Furthermore, the people of Canada are warm and friendly. They are very welcoming of foreigners in Canada. There are almost no incidents of hate speech and discrimination against foreigners in Canada.

The European Union, in 2000, adopted Unity in Diversity as its official motto. Above all, this was in reference to many diverse Nations of the European Union. This diversity of European Union member states was due to differences in culture. Furthermore, the adoption of Unity in Diversity as a motto shows unity. It shows Europeans have come together irrespective of differences.

India is another brilliant example of Unity in Diversity . In India, people of diverse religions, cultures, castes, sects, etc. have been living together. Furthermore, they have been living together for many centuries. This certainly shows the intense tolerance and unity of the Indian people. Hence, India is a country that perfectly demonstrates Unity in Diversity.

In conclusion, Unity in Diversity is an integral part of ethics and morality. The concept is certainly essential for the future progress of human society. People must display faith in this concept. Above all, they must keep aside feelings of racism , discrimination, and oppression. Without Unity in Diversity, the demise of humanity will certainly happen.

FAQs on Unity in Diversity Essay

Q1 How Unity in Diversity enhances the quality of teamwork?

A1 Unity in Diversity certainly enhances the quality of teamwork. This is because Unity in Diversity causes the development of trust and bonding among people. This ultimately results in significantly increasing the rate of completion of projects.

Q2 Why India is a brilliant example of Unity in Diversity?

A2 India is certainly a brilliant example of Unity in Diversity. This is because India has people of diverse religions, cultures, castes, sects, etc. Above all, these people have been living together peacefully for many centuries.  Within a kilometer, you can discover mosques, temples, churches, and other religious buildings.

Q3. How can one sustain unity in the presence of diversity?

A3 . To keep unity in the variety by accepting other people’s choices, letting others express their opinions, and continually interacting with others without questioning their religion, caste, or financial strength. Unity in diversity can also be preserved by raising knowledge about the value of unity in diversity and incorporating the notion into primary education. Also, through instilling tolerance in all people, regardless of their culture, traditions, or values.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to  upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

• We're Hiring!
• Help Center

UNITY AND DIVERSITY IN INDIA: TWO ENDS OF A CONTINUUM OR A CONVERGING HORIZON?

This paper was written and published in 2000. This interrogates the Indian project of unity amidst diversity. The issue has gained salience lately.

Related Papers

Clara Santelmann

The Republic of India is said to be the biggest democracy in the world. Its width and large population have the consequence of making it a country full of diversity. It is the home of thousands of languages, dozens of religions and several ethnic groups and tribes. But despite this heterogeneity, India seems to be a united Nation. The aim of this paper is to answer how India created unity despite the diversity of its population. In order to do so in the clearest way, I will start to underline the extent of the diversity within the Republic of India. Then I will address the reasons that made unity in this country possible and how the Indian Constitution (and Indian Nation-building) was able to capture the duality between unity and diversity. I will then try to ask whereas this concept of “Unity in Diversity” actually working in reality or not.

As much as it was before, the fight is on between man and man. But more than ever it seems to be amongst the peoples of the same country; amongst the ethnic population and the migrants, the indigenous and the settlers, over race, over way of worship. In the Indian sub continent it is highlighted in the Punjab, in Sri Lanka and over Baluchis and Mujahirs in Pakistan. An insight into the racial and historical background of this region is interesting, even if it acts only as an intellectual exercise.

Dileep Karanth

This is the original paper, which was edited slightly and renamed as: India: One Nation or Many Nationalities – Ancient Sources and Modern Analysis, History Today, Journal of the Ind. History and Culture Society). New Delhi, No. 7, 2006-07 (pp. 1-11).

Vijay Kumar Kaul

PRAGATI| ÉMÉÊiÉ&

Michel Danino

TJPRC Publication

India as a multicultural polity has adopted the institutional forms of constitutionalism and the Rule of law, although its society, economy and history are very different from that of the countries where these forms originated. Pathologies pertaining to the functioning of these institutional forms pose serious problems in all countries where primordial cultural and ethnic identities of different groups are being revived and asserted. 'Unity in Diversity', an oft-repeated aspiration in India, seeks to accommodate differences within a frame work of shared basic values and common interests. Such a framework requires the conviction that unity is best fostered by tolerating diversity, that dissenting views should freely coexist with the dominant values of society, and interaction among diverse peoples, ethnic and religious groups, cultures and sub cultures is a positive force for creativity innovation and change.

vartika agarwal

Dr. Shyama Ramsamy

In our fast evolving world, the term ‘‘Multiculturalism’’ has acquired multiple definitions and meanings both in theory and practice. A political response of the West to the destitute and the afflicted, it gradually transformed into a cultural, religious, educational, legal and social ideology in its process of equality, integration and homogenisation. ‘‘Multiculturalism’’ is not a limiting agenda to the western nations but has its tentacles spread in the East including India. Being a land of cultural, linguistic and literary diversity, it has become an imperative quest to grasp the innings of the multicultural coordinates within the Indian context. The phenomena of Imperialism, Partition, Babri Masjid Case, framing of the Constitution, migration, religious activities, Globalisation and scientific revolution play an undeniable role to directly impact on the very aim of Multicultural India. With the historical paradigm shifts, India has witnessed and is still experiencing discords both from within and outside. Henceforth, the diverging outlooks of India being a multicultural macro-society are the proponents of debates in existing domains. The current India seeks out an in-depth investigation into the propensity of the success or failure of multicultural practices from a dual perspective – insider and outsider. As I hail from a multicultural land, in this paper, I am therefore adopting an outsider’s non-textual standpoint to delve into the mechanics of the current multicultural India. Hence, this paper primarily aims at understanding and assessing the concept of ‘‘Multiculturalism’’ on a global level rather than restricting the discussion within the classroom and textual setups. Keywords: ‘Multiculturalism’, homogenisation, failure, success, outsider, non-textual.

University of California Press eBooks

Rochana Bajpai

RELATED PAPERS

Bartholomaeus Anglicus, De proprietatibus rerum, volume III

Iolanda Ventura , Giuseppe Zarra

Anne Yvonne GUILLOU

Opiniães – Revista dos Alunos de Literatura Brasileira

Opiniães Revista dos Alunos de Literatura Brasileira da USP

La Vall de Verç núms. 492 i 493

CubeSats and NanoSats for Remote Sensing II

Robert Rogers

UNUK毕业证书 诺丁汉大学毕业证

Michael Wittinger

광교오피〔DaLpocha6쩜cOm〕광교오피㉺달림포차

elyzakitty adagw

Mike Addison

Anais do Congresso Nacional Universidade, EAD e Software Livre

Handerson Gonçalves

Jonas Perales

Journal of agricultural science

Fatimah Arshad

Jelica Novakovic

Okwara Godwin

Journal of tropical biodiversity and biotechnology

rajif iryadi

Duncan Double

Radiation Measurements

Ganesh Prasad

British Journal of Surgery

Adolfo Diaz Cruz

Tempat PKL Di Gedebage

Alicianjur Ali

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open

Bulletin of the American Physical Society

Keller Andrews

RELATED TOPICS

•   We're Hiring!
•   Help Center
• Find new research papers in:
• Health Sciences
• Earth Sciences
• Cognitive Science
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Academia ©2024

Asian Network @ Yale

You are here, a vibrant tapestry: diversity, harmony, and festival celebration in india.

by:  Sandeep Kumar Mishra, PhD ( Postdoctoral Associate)

India, a land of astounding diversity, is blessed with a rich cultural tapestry woven from a multitude of religions, languages, and traditions. Majority of Indians perceive religious diversity of the nation as an asset rather than a liability, highlighting a positive perspective on the varied religious landscape in the country (Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation, Pew Research, 2021). Diversity of India treasures its most vibrant expression in the country’s countless festivals, each a unique thread adding to the magnificent fabric of Indian life.

India embraces a diverse array of religions, encompassing Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and numerous other faiths. Each religion brings its own set of beliefs, rituals, and practices, contributing to the cultural mosaic of the country. The Constitution of India guarantees the right to freedom of religion, fostering an environment where people of different faiths can coexist peacefully.

Many festivals in India are deeply rooted in religious and spiritual beliefs. Diwali, Festival of Light, holds immense importance in Hinduism, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Navratri, a nine-night festival dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Durga, signifies the triumph of virtue over vice. Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha, celebrated with the installation of Ganesha idols and subsequent immersion in water. Likewise, Muslims celebrate Eid to commemorate the end of Ramadan, the sacred month of fasting, while Christians across the country observe Christmas. During Christmas, churches are adorned beautifully, creating an atmosphere infused with joy and spirituality. The exchange of gifts is a customary tradition during this festive season. These celebrations not only serve as platforms for religious expression but also cultivate a sense of unity among diverse communities.

Aside from religious celebrations, India also observes numerous cultural festivals that spotlight the nation’s abundant artistic heritage. Holi, known as the Festival of Colors, is a joyous occasion marking the onset of spring. Participants engage in throwing colored powders and water at each other, symbolizing unity, and fostering a spirit of camaraderie. The Kumbh Mela, a massive religious gathering at the confluence of sacred rivers, stands as one of the world’s largest. Drawing millions of pilgrims, it provides an opportunity for devotees to cleanse their sins by bathing in the holy rivers. The Pushkar Camel Fair, held in Rajasthan, is a distinctive fusion of cultural and trade activities, featuring the trading of thousands of camels alongside captivating cultural performances. Additionally, January witnesses the celebration of a harvest festival, known as Baisakhi, Makar Sankranti, or Pongal in various regions of India. This festival signifies the sun’s transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn and is marked by traditional rituals, vibrant rangoli creations, and cultural performances.

The celebrations of New Year in India reflect the country’s secular and inclusive ethos, with people of different backgrounds coming together to celebrate the joyous occasions. New Year’s Eve is often associated with parties, gatherings, and events. Whether it’s the festive lights, the spirit of giving, or the sense of hope for the future, the celebrations embody the unity in diversity that is a hallmark of Indian culture. While New Year’s celebrations are often secular, some people choose to begin the year with visits to temples, churches, mosques, or other places of worship, seeking blessings for a prosperous and harmonious year ahead. Like in many parts of the world, individuals in India often make New Year resolutions to set goals and aspirations for the coming year. It’s also a time for reflection on the past year’s achievements and lessons. Some regions organize cultural events and performances, including traditional music and dance, to mark the transition to the New Year. These events reflect the rich diversity of Indian traditions.

Festivals in India play a crucial role in promoting social harmony and unity. Regardless of their religious or cultural background, people come together during festivals to celebrate and share joy. Festivals provide an opportunity for individuals to break free from the monotony of daily life, strengthen familial bonds, and forge new friendships.

Happy Holidays!

General Studies

All Programmes

Study Material

Diversity in India

Sub-Categories:

Indian Society

What is Diversity?

What are the various manifestations of diversity in india, what are the elements of unity in india, what does india gain through its unity and diversity, what are the factors that threaten india’s diversity, what are the existing mechanisms to promote unity and diversity in india, how to strike a balance between unity and diversity in india.

Mains: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India.

From the perspective of society, diversity refers to the presence of a wide range of differences among people within a given community, organization, or group. These differences can include but are not limited to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs , and more. 

India's diversity stems from historical influences, including waves of invasions , the emergence of religions , and Western colonialism . Geographically, the country's rugged terrain, river systems, coastline, and climate have also shaped distinct cultures, traditions, and languages across regions.

Geographical Diversity and Biodiversity:  

India's geography is diverse, featuring towering mountain ranges such as the Himalayas and the Western Ghats , as well as vast plains like the Indo-Gangetic along with the  Deccan Plateau.  

• The country also boasts a variety of climates and ecosystems, from the wettest areas of the northeast to the arid deserts of the west .
• India is one of the world's 17 megadiverse countries , home to around 8% of all recorded species. India has over 45,000 plants and 91,000 animal species, and various ecosystems .

Religious Diversity :

India is characterized by diverse religious beliefs and practices. 

• India is the birthplace of four of the world’s major religions, i.e. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
• India is also home to people of many religions of the world, including a huge population of Muslims( 3rd largest in the world) and Christians, along with Jews , Parsis , etc.

Caste Diversity : 

Caste plays a significant role in shaping the diverse fabric of Indian society . There are more than 3,000 Jatis in India. These are hierarchically graded in different ways in different regions.

• It may also be noted that the practice of the caste system is not confined to Hindus alone. Castes among Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and other communities also exist in India.

Linguistic Diversity : 

More than 19,500 languages or dialects are spoken in India as mother tongue. 

• 121 languages are spoken by 10,000 or more people in India. 
• Austric family - Santhal, Munda, Ho, etc. 
• Dravidian family -Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, etc.
• Sino-Tibetan family - Sikkimese, Sikkimese, Bodo, etc. 
• Indo-European family - Hindi, Punjabi, Sindhi, Marathi, etc.

Racial Diversity : 

India is a country of great racial diversity, with a wide variety of different ethnic and linguistic groups. 

• The population is primarily an admixture of the following races: Indo-Aryans, Dravidians, and Mongoloids.
• The country is also home to several tribal groups, each with distinct cultures and traditions.

Diversity in Social Life :

Indian society is greatly heterogeneous along various regions and sub-regions differing from one another. Diversity can be seen in - 

• Family Structure , Marriage Types and Rituals
• Festivals, Cuisine and food habits, Clothing, settlement patterns
• Literature, Epics, Drama, Cinema, and Theatre.

Despite all the diversities, India remained united with a unitary spirit. The thread which binds all Indians together is known as " Unity among diversity" . This unity can be seen across various spheres 

Geographical unity

The Indian Subcontinent constitutes a distinctive geographic entity, and the Himalayas provide a formidable physical barrier to the North , while seas are across the East, South, and West.

• The geology of the Indian subcontinent is unique due to its location on a separate tectonic plate, the Indian Plate , which collided with the Eurasian Plate to create the Himalayan mountain range, resulting in distinctive geological features and land formations.

Historical unity  

From the very beginning, the entire geographical part was known as Bharat Varsha , and this name is present in the Vedas and Puranas . 

• Most of the geographical territory of India came under the rule of great emperors like Ashoka and Akbar .
• British rule and the subsequent Nationalistic Movement led to further territorial integration. 

Cultural unity

Despite having different cultural groups, there is a lot of unity in terms of ideas, philosophy, literature, etc.

• Being the country of festivals, it is observed that people from all cultural backgrounds come together and celebrate all the festivals like Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Gurupurab, Durga Puja, Onam, Baisakhi , etc reflecting the cultural diversity and unity of India.
• The manner of performance of social ceremonies is usually the same in all parts of the country.
• Despite its vast cultural diversity, India shares a sense of unity in its customs, practices, and social life , such as respect for elders, hospitality, joint family systems, etc. 

Religious unity 

Religious unity is still evident as almost all major religions practiced in India provide a similar teaching of values of tolerance and solidarity. 

• Despite the diversity, there is also a sense of unity and tolerance towards different religions, with people of different faiths living and working together in harmony. 
• This unity is reflected in the country's secular constitution, and most people in India have historically lived in peace with their neighbours regardless of their religious beliefs. 
• National Integration -  Unity in diversity can inject the feeling of harmony and brotherhood, despite having cultural, regional, or social differences among them.  
• Global recognition - A country that is highly diverse but remains united not only builds a strong platform of growth but also attains recognition at the global level. It becomes an example for the world to follow.
• Peaceful co-existence - The peaceful co-existence can only be maintained through unity in a diverse country.
• Economic growth: Diversity can bring economic advantages as well, as different regions of the country have their own strengths and resources, leading to a more diversified economy.
• Tolerance and social cohesion: India's diversity can promote greater tolerance and understanding among different groups, leading to a more cohesive society.
• Innovation : Diversity in perspective and background can lead to more creative thinking and spur innovation and progress. The diverse range of languages and cultures also enables more effective communication with different parts of the world.
• Religious and ethnic conflicts : India has a history of religious and ethnic conflicts, which can lead to violence and loss of life. These conflicts can threaten the unity and diversity of the country.
• Discrimination and marginalization: Certain groups, such as Dalits and tribes, have faced discrimination and marginalization based on their caste and ethnicity. This can lead to social and economic disparities and threaten the diversity of the country.
• Forced assimilation and cultural homogenization: With the rise of globalization, there is a risk of cultural homogenization and the loss of traditional customs and practices. This can lead to the erosion of diversity in India.
• Political polarization: Political polarization in India based on religious, caste, and linguistic lines can also threaten diversity as it can fuel tension and conflicts between different groups.
• Climate change and environmental degradation: Climate change and environmental degradation can also threaten the diversity in India, as it can lead to the loss of biodiversity and the displacement of communities that rely on natural resources.

Constitutional mechanisms:

• Provisions for Geographical Unity: The spirit of the Constitution is that India is an " indestructible Union of the Destructible states” . Promoting ‘unity and integrity of the nation’ is one of the objectives stated in the preamble. 
• Provisions for ethnic and Cultural Unity : Article 29 of the constitution mandates the state to protect the distinguished culture and traditions of various ethnic groups.
• Provision for religious Unity : The constitution of India defines it as a secular country. As per Article 25 of the constitution, the people are allowed to preach and propagate any religion. Further, under Article 15 , the state is directed to ensure that there shall be no discrimination on the ground of religion with any person.
• Provision for unity in diverse languages : The constitution of India doesn't impose any single language as a national language. Schedule 8 of the constitution recognizes 22 languages of our country.

Policy mechanisms: 

• ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’ - Programme aims to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs 
• New Education Policy 2020 - Has ‘3 Language formula’ in School Education. 
• One Nation-One Ration Card - To promote inter-state mobility among the workforce.
• Establishment of bodies like National Integration Council , Inter-state Council.

To strike a balance between unity and diversity in India, it is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the differences among various groups while promoting a sense of togetherness, trust, and solidarity . 

• It is crucial to refrain from attempting to assimilate or be assimilated into other cultures, but instead, show respect for the unique identities of each group. 
• The process of balancing diversity with unity is an ongoing one, and it is essential to cultivate multiple identities.  
• Regardless of one's racial, ethnic, linguistic, or religious identity, every citizen of India should prioritize their Indian identity . 
• Ultimately, the key to achieving this balance is to recognize and embrace the differences while simultaneously promoting a sense of unity and common purpose.

Previous Year Questions

Q) Describe any four cultural elements of diversity in India and rate their relative significance in building a national identity. (2015)

Q) Has the formation of linguistic States strengthened the cause of Indian Unity? ( 2016 )

Q) In the context of diversity of India, can it be said that the regions form cultural units rather than the States? Give reasons with examples for your viewpoint. ( 2017 )

Q) The spirit of tolerance and love is not only an interesting feature of Indian society from very early times, but it is also playing an important part at the present. Elaborate. ( 2017 )

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q) what is meant by melting pot and salad bowl theory in the context of society.

The melting pot theory refers to the idea that different cultural groups will come together and mix, creating a homogenous society where everyone shares the same culture. 

The salad bowl theory, on the other hand, suggests that different cultural groups will retain their distinctiveness and coexist harmoniously, creating a diverse society where different cultures coexist and maintain their individuality.

Q) What is meant by the phrase ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam ’?

" Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" is a phrase in Sanskrit, meaning "the world is one family." It expresses the idea that all people are interconnected and that every human being is a member of a larger global community. It is a core principle of Indian culture and philosophy, which emphasizes the interconnectedness and unity of all life. The phrase is often invoked to promote universal brotherhood and a sense of belonging to a global community. 

© 2024 Vajiram & Ravi. All rights reserved

Unity in Diversity in India Essay, Meaning, Drawing, Poster, Quotes, Slogans

Unity in diversity in india signifies the unity among people with diverse cultural, religious beliefs, social statuses, and other demographic factors. Unity in diversity is a quality of Indian's.

Table of Contents

Unity in Diversity in India Essay

Unity in Diversity teaches all humans and living beings to be united and find ways to bond with each other ignoring the differences. Our Country India is a brilliant example of Unity in Diversity. In India, people of different religions, cultures, castes, etc. have been living together in India. Furthermore, Indian citizens have been living together for many centuries. This certainly shows the intense tolerance and unity in diversity of the Indian people. Hence, India is a country that perfectly demonstrates Unity in Diversity.

Unity in Diversity Meaning

Unity in Diversity is an expression used for harmony and peace. It is used among diversified groups so that they can be uniformed among tolerance. Diversities may include caste, creed, color, and nationality. It also includes physical, cultural, linguistic, and political differences.

It teaches all humans and living beings to be united and find ways to bond with each other ignoring the differences. This will lead to an environment in which people can stay together peacefully. “Unity in Diversity” is an old phase and dates back to Western and Eastern cultures.

Once all the people become united, it is difficult to break the bond and separate them. This is where India displays the uniqueness by having a strong bond in difficult situations. In India, you can find one religion person visiting the other on their festival and celebrating it together.

Not only the celebrations are taken care of, but also at times of  sorrow, each and everyone is ready to help the other. Unity is not built in a day. It grows eventually over time. The first and the most important form of unity starts from a family. It starts with the siblings and the parents sharing and caring for each other while being united.

The second form of unity can be seen in schools where all the students stay united as a class. The third form of unity is present in the society in which we live. It can either be seen with your neighbors or the society.  Students are taught lessons about unity right from the starting.

Must Read Article on Mahatma Gandhi 

Unity in Diversity Japanese poem (Kakawin Sutasoma)

The poem Kakawin Sutasoma has been written by the poet, Mpu Tantular in the 14th century. The poem promotes tolerance between Buddhism and Hinduism. It says that even though the lords of both religions are different, but their ideologies are similar.

The poem inspires people from different religions to be acceptable to others and respect one’s ideology. Even though the idols may be different but the views they had were similar. They wanted that people should stay united in all conditions.

Unity in Diversity in India

India is called a country of unity in diversity. India is a country where all religions are equally treated and respected. You can notice temples, mosques, churches all built within the range of a kilometer. In India, people believe that if they are together, nothing can separate them.

India has been tolerant towards others since ancient times. India has always experienced peace, harmony, and brotherhood due to unity. The Pathans and the Tamils are two extremely different religions yet stay together in harmony. What can be a better example than this?

From the North to the South of India, you can find a lot of dissimilarities starting from food, culture, way of living, and others. But if any problem is faced by a community, all religions come together to support them.

Read Articles On Capital of Uttar Pradesh and Capital of Karnataka

Unity in Diversity: Drawing

Let’s have a look at a drawing for unity in diversity.

Unity in Diversity: Poster

Below we have attached the best posters that depict unity in diversity.

Who coined the phrase unity in diversity?

Unity in Diversity was coined by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It means that despite all the differences, we can be one. No matter how big the problem is, united people can seldom be broken and separated.

If the mutual understanding between all living beings is at peace, they can exist together making the differences, their strong points. People who tend to stay alone face more difficulties as they have to handle all the situations by themselves. This is the reason humans are known as social beings.

Unity in Diversity Quotes and Slogans

Some of the best quotes and slogans for unity in diversity are given below.

• Unity in Diversity is better than unity in similarities.
• Diversity : The art of thinking independently despite being together.
• Our Unity is our identity.
• “Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.” – Mahatma Gandhi.
• “You can’t have unity without diversity” – Richard Twiss.
• “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much” – Helen Keller.
• Unity : It starts with the letter “U”. If not you, then who?

Read More Article Related To This

Unity in Diversity in India: Essay, Meaning, Drawing, Poster- QNA

What is meant by unity in diversity.

Unity in Diversity is an expression used for harmony and peace. It is used among diversified groups so that they can be uniformed among tolerance.

What is the importance of unity in diversity?

Unity in Diversity is important to co-exist in peace and harmony. Living together despite the differences creates a sense of togetherness.

What is an example of unity in diversity?

The Pathans and the Tamils of India are two extremely different religions yet stay together in harmony.

Who said unity in diversity?

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru coined the term “Unity in Diversity”.

Why India is called a country of unity in diversity?

India is called a country of unity in diversity as all the religions stay together peacefully in India. You can find mosques, temples, churches, and all other religious places within a range of a kilometer.

Sharing is caring!

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru coined the term "Unity in Diversity".

Trending Articles

• NEET Result 2024
• NEET Question Paper 2024
• NEET Answer Key 2024 All Sets
• NEET Expected Cut Off 2024

CBSE Board Exam 2024

• CBSE Class 10 Syllabus 2024 
• CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2024 
• CBSE Previous Year Papers  
• CUET Syllabus
• CUET Previous Year paper
• CUET Participating College & Universities
• JEE Main 2024  
• JEE Main Syllabus 2024  
• JEE Main Exam Analysis 2023  
• NEET 2024  
• NEET Syllabus 2024
• NEET State wise Cut off
• NEET Rank Predictor  
• NEET OMR Sheet
• NEET College Predictor

Recent Posts

Important exams, ncert solutions.

• NCERT Class 12
• NCERT Class 11
• NCERT Class 10
• NCERT Class 9

NCERT Books

School syllabus.

• CBSE Class 12
• CBSE Class 11
• CBSE Class 10
• CBSE Class 9
• JEE Mains 2024

Our Other Websites

• Teachers Adda
• Bankers Adda
• Current Affairs
• Adda Bengali
• Engineers Adda
• Adda Marathi
• Adda School

Get all your queries solved in one single place. We at Adda247 school strive each day to provide you the best material across the online education industry. We consider your struggle as our motivation to work each day.

Download Adda247 App

Follow us on

• Responsible Disclosure Program
• Cancellation & Refunds
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

• Publications
• Our Methods
• Short Reads
• Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation

Indians say it is important to respect all religions, but major religious groups see little in common and want to live separately, table of contents.

• The dimensions of Hindu nationalism in India
• India’s Muslims express pride in being Indian while identifying communal tensions, desiring segregation
• Muslims, Hindus diverge over legacy of Partition
• Religious conversion in India
• Religion very important across India’s religious groups
• Near-universal belief in God, but wide variation in how God is perceived
• Across India’s religious groups, widespread sharing of beliefs, practices, values
• Religious identity in India: Hindus divided on whether belief in God is required to be a Hindu, but most say eating beef is disqualifying
• Sikhs are proud to be Punjabi and Indian
• 1. Religious freedom, discrimination and communal relations
• 2. Diversity and pluralism
• 3. Religious segregation
• 4. Attitudes about caste
• 5. Religious identity
• 6. Nationalism and politics
• 7. Religious practices
• 8. Religion, family and children
• 9. Religious clothing and personal appearance
• 10. Religion and food
• 11. Religious beliefs
• 12. Beliefs about God
• Acknowledgments
• Appendix A: Methodology
• Appendix B: Index of religious segregation

This study is Pew Research Center’s most comprehensive, in-depth exploration of India to date. For this report, we surveyed 29,999 Indian adults (including 22,975 who identify as Hindu, 3,336 who identify as Muslim, 1,782 who identify as Sikh, 1,011 who identify as Christian, 719 who identify as Buddhist, 109 who identify as Jain and 67 who identify as belonging to another religion or as religiously unaffiliated). Interviews for this nationally representative survey were conducted face-to-face under the direction of RTI International from Nov. 17, 2019, to March 23, 2020.

To improve respondent comprehension of survey questions and to ensure all questions were culturally appropriate, Pew Research Center followed a multi-phase questionnaire development process that included expert review, focus groups, cognitive interviews, a pretest and a regional pilot survey before the national survey. The questionnaire was developed in English and translated into 16 languages, independently verified by professional linguists with native proficiency in regional dialects.

Respondents were selected using a probability-based sample design that would allow for robust analysis of all major religious groups in India – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains – as well as all major regional zones. Data was weighted to account for the different probabilities of selection among respondents and to align with demographic benchmarks for the Indian adult population from the 2011 census. The survey is calculated to have covered 98% of Indians ages 18 and older and had an 86% national response rate.

For more information, see the  Methodology  for this report. The questions used in this analysis can be found  here .

More than 70 years after India became free from colonial rule, Indians generally feel their country has lived up to one of its post-independence ideals: a society where followers of many religions can live and practice freely.

India’s massive population is diverse as well as devout. Not only do most of the world’s Hindus, Jains and Sikhs live in India, but it also is home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations and to millions of Christians and Buddhists.

A major new Pew Research Center survey of religion across India, based on nearly 30,000 face-to-face interviews of adults conducted in 17 languages between late 2019 and early 2020 (before the COVID-19 pandemic ), finds that Indians of all these religious backgrounds overwhelmingly say they are very free to practice their faiths.

Related India research

This is one in a series of Pew Research Center reports on India based on a survey of 29,999 Indian adults conducted Nov. 17, 2019, to March 23, 2020, as well as demographic data from the Indian Census and other government sources. Other reports can be found here:

• How Indians View Gender Roles in Families and Society
• Religious Composition of India
• India’s Sex Ratio at Birth Begins To Normalize

Indians see religious tolerance as a central part of who they are as a nation. Across the major religious groups, most people say it is very important to respect all religions to be “truly Indian.” And tolerance is a religious as well as civic value: Indians are united in the view that respecting other religions is a very important part of what it means to be a member of their own religious community.

These shared values are accompanied by a number of beliefs that cross religious lines. Not only do a majority of Hindus in India (77%) believe in karma, but an identical percentage of Muslims do, too. A third of Christians in India (32%) – together with 81% of Hindus – say they believe in the purifying power of the Ganges River, a central belief in Hinduism. In Northern India, 12% of Hindus and 10% of Sikhs, along with 37% of Muslims, identity with Sufism, a mystical tradition most closely associated with Islam. And the vast majority of Indians of all major religious backgrounds say that respecting elders is very important to their faith.

Yet, despite sharing certain values and religious beliefs – as well as living in the same country, under the same constitution – members of India’s major religious communities often don’t feel they have much in common with one another. The majority of Hindus see themselves as very different from Muslims (66%), and most Muslims return the sentiment, saying they are very different from Hindus (64%). There are a few exceptions: Two-thirds of Jains and about half of Sikhs say they have a lot in common with Hindus. But generally, people in India’s major religious communities tend to see themselves as very different from others.

This perception of difference is reflected in traditions and habits that maintain the separation of India’s religious groups. For example, marriages across religious lines – and, relatedly, religious conversions – are exceedingly rare (see Chapter 3 ). Many Indians, across a range of religious groups, say it is very important to stop people in their community from marrying into other religious groups. Roughly two-thirds of Hindus in India want to prevent interreligious marriages of Hindu women (67%) or Hindu men (65%). Even larger shares of Muslims feel similarly: 80% say it is very important to stop Muslim women from marrying outside their religion, and 76% say it is very important to stop Muslim men from doing so.

Moreover, Indians generally stick to their own religious group when it comes to their friends. Hindus overwhelmingly say that most or all of their close friends are also Hindu. Of course, Hindus make up the majority of the population, and as a result of sheer numbers, may be more likely to interact with fellow Hindus than with people of other religions. But even among Sikhs and Jains, who each form a sliver of the national population, a large majority say their friends come mainly or entirely from their small religious community.

Fewer Indians go so far as to say that their neighborhoods should consist only of people from their own religious group. Still, many would prefer to keep people of certain religions out of their residential areas or villages. For example, many Hindus (45%) say they are fine with having neighbors of all other religions – be they Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist or Jain – but an identical share (45%) say they would not be willing to accept followers of at least one of these groups, including more than one-in-three Hindus (36%) who do not want a Muslim as a neighbor. Among Jains, a majority (61%) say they are unwilling to have neighbors from at least one of these groups, including 54% who would not accept a Muslim neighbor, although nearly all Jains (92%) say they would be willing to accept a Hindu neighbor.

Indians, then, simultaneously express enthusiasm for religious tolerance and a consistent preference for keeping their religious communities in segregated spheres – they live together separately . These two sentiments may seem paradoxical, but for many Indians they are not.

Indeed, many take both positions, saying it is important to be tolerant of others and expressing a desire to limit personal connections across religious lines. Indians who favor a religiously segregated society also overwhelmingly emphasize religious tolerance as a core value. For example, among Hindus who say it is very important to stop the interreligious marriage of Hindu women, 82% also say that respecting other religions is very important to what it means to be Hindu. This figure is nearly identical to the 85% who strongly value religious tolerance among those who are not at all concerned with stopping interreligious marriage.

In other words, Indians’ concept of religious tolerance does not necessarily involve the mixing of religious communities. While people in some countries may aspire to create a “melting pot” of different religious identities, many Indians seem to prefer a country more like a patchwork fabric, with clear lines between groups.

One of these religious fault lines – the relationship between India’s Hindu majority and the country’s smaller religious communities – has particular relevance in public life, especially in recent years under the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP is often described as promoting a Hindu nationalist ideology .

The survey finds that Hindus tend to see their religious identity and Indian national identity as closely intertwined: Nearly two-thirds of Hindus (64%) say it is very important to be Hindu to be “truly” Indian.

Most Hindus (59%) also link Indian identity with being able to speak Hindi – one of dozens of languages that are widely spoken in India. And these two dimensions of national identity – being able to speak Hindi and being a Hindu – are closely connected. Among Hindus who say it is very important to be Hindu to be truly Indian, fully 80% also say it is very important to speak Hindi to be truly Indian.

The BJP’s appeal is greater among Hindus who closely associate their religious identity and the Hindi language with being “truly Indian.” In the 2019 national elections, 60% of Hindu voters who think it is very important to be Hindu and to speak Hindi to be truly Indian cast their vote for the BJP, compared with only a third among Hindu voters who feel less strongly about both these aspects of national identity.

Overall, among those who voted in the 2019 elections, three-in-ten Hindus take all three positions: saying it is very important to be Hindu to be truly Indian; saying the same about speaking Hindi; and casting their ballot for the BJP.

These views are considerably more common among Hindus in the largely Hindi-speaking Northern and Central regions of the country, where roughly half of all Hindu voters fall into this category, compared with just 5% in the South.

Whether Hindus who meet all three of these criteria qualify as “Hindu nationalists” may be debated, but they do express a heightened desire for maintaining clear lines between Hindus and other religious groups when it comes to whom they marry, who their friends are and whom they live among. For example, among Hindu BJP voters who link national identity with both religion and language, 83% say it is very important to stop Hindu women from marrying into another religion, compared with 61% among other Hindu voters.

This group also tends to be more religiously observant: 95% say religion is very important in their lives, and roughly three-quarters say they pray daily (73%). By comparison, among other Hindu voters, a smaller majority (80%) say religion is very important in their lives, and about half (53%) pray daily.

Even though Hindu BJP voters who link national identity with religion and language are more inclined to support a religiously segregated India, they also are  more  likely than other Hindu voters to express positive opinions about India’s religious diversity. Nearly two-thirds (65%) of this group – Hindus who say that being a Hindu and being able to speak Hindi are very important to be truly Indian  and  who voted for the BJP in 2019 – say religious diversity benefits India, compared with about half (47%) of other Hindu voters.

This finding suggests that for many Hindus, there is no contradiction between valuing religious diversity (at least in principle) and feeling that Hindus are somehow more authentically Indian than fellow citizens who follow other religions.

Among Indians overall, there is no overwhelming consensus on the benefits of religious diversity. On balance, more Indians see diversity as a benefit than view it as a liability for their country: Roughly half (53%) of Indian adults say India’s religious diversity benefits the country, while about a quarter (24%) see diversity as harmful, with similar figures among both Hindus and Muslims. But 24% of Indians do not take a clear position either way – they say diversity neither benefits nor harms the country, or they decline to answer the question. (See Chapter 2 for a discussion of attitudes toward diversity.)

India’s Muslim community, the second-largest religious group in the country, historically has had a complicated relationship with the Hindu majority. The two communities generally have lived peacefully side by side for centuries, but their shared history also is checkered by civil unrest and violence. Most recently, while the survey was being conducted, demonstrations broke out in parts of New Delhi and elsewhere over the government’s new citizenship law , which creates an expedited path to citizenship for immigrants from some neighboring countries – but not Muslims.

Today, India’s Muslims almost unanimously say they are very proud to be Indian (95%), and they express great enthusiasm for Indian culture: 85% agree with the statement that “Indian people are not perfect, but Indian culture is superior to others.”

Relatively few Muslims say their community faces “a lot” of discrimination in India (24%). In fact, the share of Muslims who see widespread discrimination against their community is similar to the share of Hindus who say Hindus face widespread religious discrimination in India (21%). (See Chapter 1 for a discussion of attitudes on religious discrimination.)

But personal experiences with discrimination among Muslims vary quite a bit regionally. Among Muslims in the North, 40% say they personally have faced religious discrimination in the last 12 months – much higher levels than reported in most other regions.

In addition, most Muslims across the country (65%), along with an identical share of Hindus (65%), see communal violence as a very big national problem. (See Chapter 1 for a discussion of Indians’ attitudes toward national problems.)

Like Hindus, Muslims prefer to live religiously segregated lives – not just when it comes to marriage and friendships, but also in some elements of public life. In particular, three-quarters of Muslims in India (74%) support having access to the existing system of Islamic courts, which handle family disputes (such as inheritance or divorce cases), in addition to the secular court system.

Muslims’ desire for religious segregation does not preclude tolerance of other groups – again similar to the pattern seen among Hindus. Indeed, a majority of Muslims who favor separate religious courts for their community say religious diversity benefits India (59%), compared with somewhat fewer of those who oppose religious courts for Muslims (50%).

Sidebar: Islamic courts in India

Since 1937, India’s Muslims have had the option of resolving family and inheritance-related cases in officially recognized Islamic courts, known as dar-ul-qaza. These courts are overseen by religious magistrates known as qazi and operate under Shariah principles . For example, while the rules of inheritance for most Indians are governed by the Indian Succession Act of 1925 and the Hindu Succession Act of 1956 (amended in 2005), Islamic inheritance practices differ in some ways, including who can be considered an heir and how much of the deceased person’s property they can inherit. India’s inheritance laws also take into account the differing traditions of other religious communities, such as Hindus and Christians, but their cases are handled in secular courts. Only the Muslim community has the option of having cases tried by a separate system of family courts. The decisions of the religious courts, however, are not legally binding , and the parties involved have the option of taking their case to secular courts if they are not satisfied with the decision of the religious court.

As of 2021, there are roughly 70 dar-ul-qaza in India. Most are in the states of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Goa is the only state that does not recognize rulings by these courts, enforcing its own uniform civil code instead. Dar-ul-qaza are overseen by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board .

While these courts can grant divorces among Muslims, they are prohibited from approving divorces initiated through the practice known as triple talaq, in which a Muslim man instantly divorces his wife by saying the Arabic/Urdu word “talaq” (meaning “divorce”) three times. This practice was deemed unconstitutional by the Indian Supreme Court in 2017 and formally outlawed by the Lok Sabha, the lower house of India’s Parliament, in 2019. 1

Recent debates have emerged around Islamic courts. Some Indians have expressed concern that the rise of dar-ul-qaza could undermine the Indian judiciary, because a subset of the population is not bound to the same laws as everyone else. Others have argued that the rulings of Islamic courts are particularly unfair to women, although the prohibition of triple talaq may temper some of these criticisms. In its 2019 political manifesto , the BJP proclaimed a desire to create a national Uniform Civil Code, saying it would increase gender equality.

Some Indian commentators have voiced opposition to Islamic courts along with more broadly negative sentiments against Muslims, describing the rising numbers of dar-ul-qaza as the “Talibanization” of India , for example.

On the other hand, Muslim scholars have defended the dar-ul-qaza, saying they expedite justice because family disputes that would otherwise clog India’s courts can be handled separately, allowing the secular courts to focus their attention on other concerns.

Since 2018, the Hindu nationalist party Hindu Mahasabha (which does not hold any seats in Parliament) has tried to set up Hindu religious courts , known as Hindutva courts, aiming to play a role similar to dar-ul-qaza, only for the majority Hindu community. None of these courts have been recognized by the Indian government, and their rulings are not considered legally binding.

The seminal event in the modern history of Hindu-Muslim relations in the region was the partition of the subcontinent into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan at the end of the British colonial period in 1947. Partition remains one of the largest movements of people across borders in recorded history, and in both countries the carving of new borders was accompanied by violence, rioting and looting .

More than seven decades later, the predominant view among Indian Muslims is that the partition of the subcontinent was “a bad thing” for Hindu-Muslim relations. Nearly half of Muslims say Partition hurt communal relations with Hindus (48%), while fewer say it was a good thing for Hindu-Muslim relations (30%). Among Muslims who prefer more religious segregation – that is, who say they would not accept a person of a different faith as a neighbor – an even higher share (60%) say Partition was a bad thing for Hindu-Muslim relations.

Sikhs, whose homeland of Punjab was split by Partition, are even more likely than Muslims to say Partition was a bad thing for Hindu-Muslim relations: Two-thirds of Sikhs (66%) take this position. And Sikhs ages 60 and older, whose parents most likely lived through Partition, are more inclined than younger Sikhs to say the partition of the country was bad for communal relations (74% vs. 64%).

While Sikhs and Muslims are more likely to say Partition was a bad thing than a good thing, Hindus lean in the opposite direction: 43% of Hindus say Partition was beneficial for Hindu-Muslim relations, while 37% see it as a bad thing.

Context for the survey

Interviews were conducted after the conclusion of the 2019 national parliamentary elections and after the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under the Indian Constitution. In December 2019, protests against the country’s new citizenship law broke out in several regions.

Fieldwork could not be conducted in the Kashmir Valley and a few districts elsewhere due to security concerns. These locations include some heavily Muslim areas, which is part of the reason why Muslims make up 11% of the survey’s total sample, while India’s adult population is roughly 13% Muslim, according to the most recent census data that is publicly available, from 2011. In addition, it is possible that in some other parts of the country, interreligious tensions over the new citizenship law may have slightly depressed participation in the survey by potential Muslim respondents.

Nevertheless, the survey’s estimates of religious beliefs, behaviors and attitudes can be reported with a high degree of confidence for India’s total population, because the number of people living in the excluded areas (Manipur, Sikkim, the Kashmir Valley and a few other districts) is not large enough to affect the overall results at the national level. About 98% of India’s total population had a chance of being selected for this survey.

Greater caution is warranted when looking at India’s Muslims separately, as a distinct population. The survey cannot speak to the experiences and views of Kashmiri Muslims. Still, the survey does represent the beliefs, behaviors and attitudes of around 95% of India’s overall Muslim population.

These are among the key findings of a Pew Research Center survey conducted face-to-face nationally among 29,999 Indian adults. Local interviewers administered the survey between Nov. 17, 2019, and March 23, 2020, in 17 languages. The survey covered all states and union territories of India, with the exceptions of Manipur and Sikkim, where the rapidly developing COVID-19 situation prevented fieldwork from starting in the spring of 2020, and the remote territories of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep; these areas are home to about a quarter of 1% of the Indian population. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir was covered by the survey, though no fieldwork was conducted in the Kashmir region itself due to security concerns.

This study, funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation, is part of a larger effort by Pew Research Center to understand religious change and its impact on societies around the world. The Center previously has conducted religion-focused surveys across sub-Saharan Africa ; the Middle East-North Africa region and many other countries with large Muslim populations ; Latin America ; Israel ; Central and Eastern Europe ; Western Europe ; and the United States .

The rest of this Overview covers attitudes on five broad topics: caste and discrimination; religious conversion; religious observances and beliefs; how people define their religious identity, including what kind of behavior is considered acceptable to be a Hindu or a Muslim; and the connection between economic development and religious observance.

Caste is another dividing line in Indian society, and not just among Hindus

Religion is not the only fault line in Indian society. In some regions of the country, significant shares of people perceive widespread, caste-based discrimination.

The caste system is an ancient social hierarchy based on occupation and economic status. People are born into a particular caste and tend to keep many aspects of their social life within its boundaries, including whom they marry. Even though the system’s origins are in historical Hindu writings , today Indians nearly universally identify with a caste, regardless of whether they are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist or Jain.

Overall, the majority of Indian adults say they are a member of a Scheduled Caste (SC) – often referred to as Dalits (25%) – Scheduled Tribe (ST) (9%) or Other Backward Class (OBC) (35%). 2

Buddhists in India nearly universally identify themselves in these categories, including 89% who are Dalits (sometimes referred to by the pejorative term “untouchables”).

Members of SC/ST/OBC groups traditionally formed the lower social and economic rungs of Indian society, and historically they have faced discrimination and unequal economic opportunities . The practice of untouchability in India ostracizes members of many of these communities, especially Dalits, although the Indian Constitution prohibits caste-based discrimination, including untouchability, and in recent decades the government has enacted economic advancement policies like reserved seats in universities and government jobs for Dalits, Scheduled Tribes and OBC communities.

Roughly 30% of Indians do not belong to these protected groups and are classified as “General Category.” This includes higher castes such as Brahmins (4%), traditionally the priestly caste. Indeed, each broad category includes several sub-castes – sometimes hundreds – with their own social and economic hierarchies.

Three-quarters of Jains (76%) identify with General Category castes, as do 46% of both Muslims and Sikhs.

Caste-based discrimination, as well as the government’s efforts to compensate for past discrimination, are politically charged topics in India . But the survey finds that most Indians do not perceive widespread caste-based discrimination. Just one-in-five Indians say there is a lot of discrimination against members of SCs, while 19% say there is a lot of discrimination against STs and somewhat fewer (16%) see high levels of discrimination against OBCs. Members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are slightly more likely than others to perceive widespread discrimination against their two groups. Still, large majorities of people in these categories do not think they face a lot of discrimination.

These attitudes vary by region, however. Among Southern Indians, for example, 30% see widespread discrimination against Dalits, compared with 13% in the Central part of the country. And among the Dalit community in the South, even more (43%) say their community faces a lot of discrimination, compared with 27% among Southern Indians in the General Category who say the Dalit community faces widespread discrimination in India.

A higher share of Dalits in the South and Northeast than elsewhere in the country say they, personally, have faced discrimination in the last 12 months because of their caste: 30% of Dalits in the South say this, as do 38% in the Northeast.

Although caste discrimination may not be perceived as widespread nationally, caste remains a potent factor in Indian society. Most Indians from other castes say they would be willing to have someone belonging to a Scheduled Caste as a neighbor (72%). But a similarly large majority of Indians overall (70%) say that most or all of their close friends share their caste. And Indians tend to object to marriages across caste lines, much as they object to interreligious marriages. 3

Overall, 64% of Indians say it is very important to stop women in their community from marrying into other castes, and about the same share (62%) say it is very important to stop men in their community from marrying into other castes. These figures vary only modestly across members of different castes. For example, nearly identical shares of Dalits and members of General Category castes say stopping inter-caste marriages is very important.

Majorities of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Jains consider stopping inter-caste marriage of both men and women a high priority. By comparison, fewer Buddhists and Christians say it is very important to stop such marriages – although for majorities of both groups, stopping people from marrying outside their caste is at least “somewhat” important.

People surveyed in India’s South and Northeast see greater caste discrimination in their communities, and they also raise fewer objections to inter-caste marriages than do Indians overall. Meanwhile, college-educated Indians are less likely than those with less education to say stopping inter-caste marriages is a high priority. But, even within the most highly educated group, roughly half say preventing such marriages is very important. (See Chapter 4 for more analysis of Indians’ views on caste.)

In recent years, conversion of people belonging to lower castes (including Dalits) away from Hinduism – a traditionally non-proselytizing religion – to proselytizing religions, especially Christianity, has been a contentious political issue in India. As of early 2021, nine states have enacted laws against proselytism , and some previous surveys have shown that half of Indians support legal bans on religious conversions. 4

This survey, though, finds that religious switching, or conversion, has a minimal impact on the overall size of India’s religious groups. For example, according to the survey, 82% of Indians say they were raised Hindu, and a nearly identical share say they are currently Hindu, showing no net losses for the group through conversion to other religions. Other groups display similar levels of stability.

Changes in India’s religious landscape over time are largely a result of differences in fertility rates among religious groups, not conversion.

Respondents were asked two separate questions to measure religious switching: “What is your present religion, if any?” and, later in the survey, “In what religion were you raised, if any?” Overall, 98% of respondents give the same answer to both these questions.

An overall pattern of stability in the share of religious groups is accompanied by little net gain from movement into, or out of, most religious groups. Among Hindus, for instance, any conversion out of the group is matched by conversion into the group: 0.7% of respondents say they were raised Hindu but now identify as something else, and although Hindu texts and traditions do not agree on any formal process for conversion into the religion, roughly the same share (0.8%) say they were  not raised Hindu but now identify as Hindu. 5  Most of these new followers of Hinduism are married to Hindus.

Similarly, 0.3% of respondents have left Islam since childhood, matched by an identical share who say they were raised in other religions (or had no childhood religion) and have since become Muslim.

For Christians, however, there are some net gains from conversion: 0.4% of survey respondents are former Hindus who now identify as Christian, while 0.1% are former Christians.

Three-quarters of India’s Hindu converts to Christianity (74%) are concentrated in the Southern part of the country – the region with the largest Christian population. As a result, the Christian population of the South shows a slight increase within the lifetime of survey respondents: 6% of Southern Indians say they were raised Christian, while 7% say they are currently Christian.

Some Christian converts (16%) reside in the East as well (the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal); about two-thirds of all Christians in the East (64%) belong to Scheduled Tribes.

Nationally, the vast majority of former Hindus who are now Christian belong to Scheduled Castes (48%), Scheduled Tribes (14%) or Other Backward Classes (26%). And former Hindus are much more likely than the Indian population overall to say there is a lot of discrimination against lower castes in India. For example, nearly half of converts to Christianity (47%) say there is a lot of discrimination against Scheduled Castes in India, compared with 20% of the overall population who perceive this level of discrimination against Scheduled Castes. Still, relatively few converts say they, personally, have faced discrimination due to their caste in the last 12 months (12%).

Though their specific practices and beliefs may vary, all of India’s major religious communities are highly observant by standard measures. For instance, the vast majority of Indians, across all major faiths, say that religion is very important in their lives. And at least three-quarters of each major religion’s followers say they know a great deal about their own religion and its practices. For example, 81% of Indian Buddhists claim a great deal of knowledge about the Buddhist religion and its practices.

Indian Muslims are slightly more likely than Hindus to consider religion very important in their lives (91% vs. 84%). Muslims also are modestly more likely than Hindus to say they know a great deal about their own religion (84% vs. 75%).

Significant portions of each religious group also pray daily, with Christians among the most likely to do so (77%) – even though Christians are the least likely of the six groups to say religion is very important in their lives (76%). Most Hindus and Jains also pray daily (59% and 73%, respectively) and say they perform puja daily (57% and 81%), either at home or at a temple. 6

Generally, younger and older Indians, those with different educational backgrounds, and men and women are similar in their levels of religious observance. South Indians are the least likely to say religion is very important in their lives (69%), and the South is the only region where fewer than half of people report praying daily (37%). While Hindus, Muslims and Christians in the South are all less likely than their counterparts elsewhere in India to say religion is very important to them, the lower rate of prayer in the South is driven mainly by Hindus: Three-in-ten Southern Hindus report that they pray daily (30%), compared with roughly two-thirds (68%) of Hindus in the rest of the country (see “ People in the South differ from rest of the country in their views of religion, national identity ” below for further discussion of religious differences in Southern India).

The survey also asked about three rites of passage: religious ceremonies for birth (or infancy), marriage and death. Members of all of India’s major religious communities tend to see these rites as highly important. For example, the vast majority of Muslims (92%), Christians (86%) and Hindus (85%) say it is very important to have a religious burial or cremation for their loved ones.

The survey also asked about practices specific to particular religions, such as whether people have received purification by bathing in holy bodies of water, like the Ganges River, a rite closely associated with Hinduism. About two-thirds of Hindus have done this (65%). Most Hindus also have holy basil (the tulsi plant) in their homes, as do most Jains (72% and 62%, respectively). And about three-quarters of Sikhs follow the Sikh practice of keeping their hair long (76%).

For more on religious practices across India’s religious groups, see Chapter 7 .

Nearly all Indians say they believe in God (97%), and roughly 80% of people in most religious groups say they are absolutely certain that God exists. The main exception is Buddhists, one-third of whom say they do not believe in God. Still, among Buddhists who do think there is a God, most say they are absolutely certain in this belief.

While belief in God is close to universal in India, the survey finds a wide range of views about the type of deity or deities that Indians believe in. The prevailing view is that there is one God “with many manifestations” (54%). But about one-third of the public says simply: “There is only one God” (35%). Far fewer say there are many gods (6%).

Even though Hinduism is sometimes referred to as a polytheistic religion , very few Hindus (7%) take the position that there are multiple gods. Instead, the most common position among Hindus (as well as among Jains) is that there is “only one God with many manifestations” (61% among Hindus and 54% among Jains).

Among Hindus, those who say religion is very important in their lives are more likely than other Hindus to believe in one God with many manifestations (63% vs. 50%) and less likely to say there are many gods (6% vs. 12%).

By contrast, majorities of Muslims, Christians and Sikhs say there is only one God. And among Buddhists, the most common response is also a belief in one God. Among all these groups, however, about one-in-five or more say God has many manifestations, a position closer to their Hindu compatriots’ concept of God.

Most Hindus feel close to multiple gods, but Shiva, Hanuman and Ganesha are most popular

Traditionally, many Hindus have a “personal god,” or  ishta devata:  A particular god or goddess with whom they feel a personal connection. The survey asked all Indian Hindus who say they believe in God which god they feel closest to – showing them 15 images of gods on a card as possible options – and the vast majority of Hindus selected more than one god or indicated that they have many personal gods (84%). 7  This is true not only among Hindus who say they believe in many gods (90%) or in one God with many manifestations (87%), but also among those who say there is only one God (82%).

The god that Hindus most commonly feel close to is Shiva (44%). In addition, about one-third of Hindus feel close to Hanuman or Ganesha (35% and 32%, respectively).

There is great regional variation in how close India’s Hindus feel to some gods. For example, 46% of Hindus in India’s West feel close to Ganesha, but only 15% feel this way in the Northeast. And 46% of Hindus in the Northeast feel close to Krishna, while just 14% in the South say the same.

Feelings of closeness for Lord Ram are especially strong in the Central region (27%), which includes what Hindus claim is his ancient birthplace , Ayodhya. The location in Ayodhya where many Hindus believe Ram was born has been a source of controversy: Hindu mobs demolished a mosque on the site in 1992, claiming that a Hindu temple originally existed there. In 2019, the Indian Supreme Court ruled that the demolished mosque had been built on top of a preexisting non-Islamic structure and that the land should be given to Hindus to build a temple, with another location in the area given to the Muslim community to build a new mosque. (For additional findings on belief in God, see Chapter 12 .)

Sidebar: Despite economic advancement, few signs that importance of religion is declining

A prominent theory in the social sciences hypothesizes that as countries advance economically, their populations tend to become less religious, often leading to wider social change. Known as “secularization theory,” it particularly reflects the experience of Western European countries from the end of World War II to the present.

Despite rapid economic growth, India’s population so far shows few, if any, signs of losing its religion. For instance, both the Indian census and the new survey find virtually no growth in the minuscule share of people who claim no religious identity. And religion is prominent in the lives of Indians regardless of their socioeconomic status. Generally, across the country, there is little difference in personal religious observance between urban and rural residents or between those who are college educated versus those who are not. Overwhelming shares among all these groups say that religion is very important in their lives, that they pray regularly and that they believe in God.

Nearly all religious groups show the same patterns. The biggest exception is Christians, among whom those with higher education and those who reside in urban areas show somewhat lower levels of observance. For example, among Christians who have a college degree, 59% say religion is very important in their life, compared with 78% among those who have less education.

The survey does show a slight decline in the perceived importance of religion during the lifetime of respondents, though the vast majority of Indians indicate that religion remains central to their lives, and this is true among both younger and older adults.

Nearly nine-in-ten Indian adults say religion was very important to their family when they were growing up (88%), while a slightly lower share say religion is very important to them now (84%). The pattern is identical when looking only at India’s majority Hindu population. Among Muslims in India, the same shares say religion was very important to their family growing up and is very important to them now (91% each).

The states of Southern India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and Telangana) show the biggest downward trend in the perceived importance of religion over respondents’ lifetimes: 76% of Indians who live in the South say religion was very important to their family growing up, compared with 69% who say religion is personally very important to them now. Slight declines in the importance of religion, by this measure, also are seen in the Western part of the country (Goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra) and in the North, although large majorities in all regions of the country say religion is very important in their lives today.

Despite a strong desire for religious segregation, India’s religious groups share patriotic feelings, cultural values and some religious beliefs. For instance, overwhelming shares across India’s religious communities say they are very proud to be Indian, and most agree that Indian culture is superior to others.

Similarly, Indians of different religious backgrounds hold elders in high respect. For instance, nine-in-ten or more Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Jains say that respecting elders is very important to what being a member of their religious group means to them (e.g., for Hindus, it’s a very important part of their Hindu identity). Christians and Sikhs also overwhelmingly share this sentiment. And among all people surveyed in all six groups, three-quarters or more say that respecting elders is very important to being truly Indian.

Within all six religious groups, eight-in-ten or more also say that helping the poor and needy is a crucial part of their religious identity.

Beyond cultural parallels, many people mix traditions from multiple religions into their practices: As a result of living side by side for generations, India’s minority groups often engage in practices that are more closely associated with Hindu traditions than their own. For instance, many Muslim, Sikh and Christian women in India say they wear a bindi (a forehead marking, often worn by married women), even though putting on a bindi has Hindu origins.

Similarly, many people embrace beliefs not traditionally associated with their faith: Muslims in India are just as likely as Hindus to say they believe in karma (77% each), and 54% of Indian Christians share this view. 8  Nearly three-in-ten Muslims and Christians say they believe in reincarnation (27% and 29%, respectively). While these may seem like theological contradictions, for many Indians, calling oneself a Muslim or a Christian does not preclude believing in karma or reincarnation – beliefs that do not have a traditional, doctrinal basis in Islam or Christianity.

Most Muslims and Christians say they don’t participate in celebrations of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights that is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. But substantial minorities of Christians (31%) and Muslims (20%) report that they do celebrate Diwali. Celebrating Diwali is especially common among Muslims in the West, where 39% say they participate in the festival, and in the South (33%).

Not only do some followers of all these religions participate in a celebration (Diwali) that consumes most of the country once a year, but some members of the majority Hindu community celebrate Muslim and Christian festivals, too: 7% of Indian Hindus say they celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid, and 17% celebrate Christmas.

While there is some mixing of religious celebrations and traditions within India’s diverse population, many Hindus do not approve of this. In fact, while 17% of the nation’s Hindus say they participate in Christmas celebrations, about half of Hindus (52%) say that doing so disqualifies a person from being Hindu (compared with 35% who say a person can be Hindu if they celebrate Christmas). An even greater share of Hindus (63%) say a person cannot be Hindu if they celebrate the Islamic festival of Eid – a view that is more widely held in Northern, Central, Eastern and Northeastern India than the South or West.

Hindus are divided on whether beliefs and practices such as believing in God, praying and going to the temple are necessary to be a Hindu. But one behavior that a clear majority of Indian Hindus feel is incompatible with Hinduism is eating beef: 72% of Hindus in India say a person who eats beef cannot be a Hindu. That is even higher than the percentages of Hindus who say a person cannot be Hindu if they reject belief in God (49%), never go to a temple (48%) or never perform prayers (48%).

Attitudes toward beef appear to be part of a regional and cultural divide among Hindus: Southern Indian Hindus are considerably less likely than others to disqualify beef eaters from being Hindu (50% vs. 83% in the Northern and Central parts of the country). And, at least in part, Hindus’ views on beef and Hindu identity are linked with a preference for religious segregation and elements of Hindu nationalism. For example, Hindus who take a strong position against eating beef are more likely than others to say they would not accept followers of other religions as their neighbors (49% vs. 30%) and to say it is very important to be Hindu to be truly Indian (68% vs. 51%).

Relatedly, 44% of Hindus say they are vegetarians, and an additional 33% say they abstain from eating certain meats. Hindus traditionally view cows as sacred, and laws pertaining to cow slaughter have been a recent flashpoint in India . At the same time, Hindus are not alone in linking beef consumption with religious identity: 82% of Sikhs and 85% of Jains surveyed say that a person who eats beef cannot be a member of their religious groups, either. A majority of Sikhs (59%) and fully 92% of Jains say they are vegetarians, including 67% of Jains who do not eat root vegetables . 9  (For more data on religion and dietary habits, see Chapter 10 .)

Sidebar: People in the South differ from rest of the country in their views of religion, national identity

The survey consistently finds that people in the South (the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and the union territory of Puducherry) differ from Indians elsewhere in the country in their views on religion, politics and identity.

For example, by a variety of measures, people in the South are somewhat less religious than those in other regions – 69% say religion is very important in their lives, versus 92% in the Central part of the country. And 37% say they pray every day, compared with more than half of Indians in other regions. People in the South also are less segregated by religion or caste – whether that involves their friendship circles, the kind of neighbors they prefer or how they feel about intermarriage. (See Chapter 3 .)

Hindu nationalist sentiments also appear to have less of a foothold in the South. Among Hindus, those in the South (42%) are far less likely than those in Central states (83%) or the North (69%) to say being Hindu is very important to be truly Indian. And in the 2019 parliamentary elections, the BJP’s lowest vote share came in the South. In the survey, just 19% of Hindus in the region say they voted for the BJP, compared with roughly two-thirds in the Northern (68%) and Central (65%) parts of the country who say they voted for the ruling party.

Culturally and politically, people in the South have pushed back against the BJP’s restrictions on cow slaughter and efforts to nationalize the Hindi language . These factors may contribute to the BJP’s lower popularity in the South, where more people prefer regional parties or the Indian National Congress party.

These differences in attitudes and practices exist in a wider context of economic disparities between the South and other regions of the country. Over time, Southern states have seen stronger economic growth than the Northern and Central parts of the country. And women and people belonging to lower castes in the South have fared better economically than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. Even though three-in-ten people in the South say there is widespread caste discrimination in India, the region also has a history of anti-caste movements . Indeed, one author has attributed the economic growth of the South largely to the flattening of caste hierarchies.

Muslim identity in India

Most Muslims in India say a person cannot be Muslim if they never pray or attend a mosque. Similarly, about six-in-ten say that celebrating Diwali or Christmas is incompatible with being a member of the Muslim community. At the same time, a substantial minority express a degree of open-mindedness on who can be a Muslim, with fully one-third (34%) saying a person can be Muslim even if they don’t believe in God. (The survey finds that 6% of self-described Muslims in India say they do not believe in God; see “ Near-universal belief in God, but wide variation in how God is perceived ” above.)

Like Hindus, Muslims have dietary restrictions that resonate as powerful markers of identity. Three-quarters of Indian Muslims (77%) say that a person cannot be Muslim if they eat pork, which is even higher than the share who say a person cannot be Muslim if they do not believe in God (60%) or never attend mosque (61%).

Indian Muslims also report high levels of religious commitment by a host of conventional measures: 91% say religion is very important in their lives, two-thirds (66%) say they pray at least once a day, and seven-in-ten say they attend mosque at least once a week – with even higher attendance among Muslim men (93%).

By all these measures, Indian Muslims are broadly comparable to Muslims in the neighboring Muslim-majority countries of Pakistan and Bangladesh, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in those countries in late 2011 and early 2012. In Pakistan, for example, 94% of Muslims said religion is very important in their lives , while 81% of Bangladeshi Muslims said the same. Muslims in India are somewhat more likely than those elsewhere in South Asia to say they regularly worship at a mosque (70% in India vs. 59% in Pakistan and 53% in Bangladesh), with the difference mainly driven by the share of women who attend.

At the same time, Muslims in India are slightly less likely to say there is “only one true” interpretation of Islam (72% in Pakistan, 69% in Bangladesh, 63% in India), as opposed to multiple interpretations.

When it comes to their religious beliefs, Indian Muslims in some ways resemble Indian Hindus more than they resemble Muslims in neighboring countries. For example, Muslims in Pakistan and Bangladesh almost universally say they believe in heaven and angels, but Indian Muslims seem more skeptical: 58% say they believe in heaven and 53% express belief in angels. Among Indian Hindus, similarly, 56% believe in heaven and 49% believe in angels.

Majority of Muslim women in India oppose ‘triple talaq’ (Islamic divorce)

Many Indian Muslims historically have followed the Hanafi school of thought, which for centuries allowed men to divorce their wives by saying “talaq” (which translates as “divorce” in Arabic and Urdu) three times. Traditionally, there was supposed to be a waiting period and attempts at reconciliation in between each use of the word, and it was deeply frowned upon (though technically permissible) for a man to pronounce “talaq” three times quickly in a row. India’s Supreme Court ruled triple talaq unconstitutional in 2017, and it was banned by legislation in 2019 .

Most Indian Muslims (56%) say Muslim men should not be allowed to divorce this way. Still, 37% of Indian Muslims say they support triple talaq, with Muslim men (42%) more likely than Muslim women (32%) to take this position. A majority of Muslim women (61%) oppose triple talaq.

Highly religious Muslims – i.e., those who say religion is very important in their lives – also are more likely than other Muslims to say Muslim men should be able to divorce their wives simply by saying “talaq” three times (39% vs. 26%).

Triple talaq seems to have the most support among Muslims in the Southern and Northeastern regions of India, where half or more of Muslims say it should be legal (58% and 50%, respectively), although 12% of Muslims in the South and 16% in the Northeast do not take a position on the issue either way.

Sikhism is one of four major religions – along with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism – that originated on the Indian subcontinent. The Sikh religion emerged in Punjab in the 15th century, when Guru Nanak, who is revered as the founder of Sikhism, became the first in a succession of 10 gurus (teachers) in the religion.

Today, India’s Sikhs remain concentrated in the state of Punjab. One feature of the Sikh religion is a distinctive sense of community, also known as “Khalsa” (which translates as “ones who are pure”). Observant Sikhs differentiate themselves from others in several ways, including keeping their hair uncut. Today, about three-quarters of Sikh men and women in India say they keep their hair long (76%), and two-thirds say it is very important to them that children in their families also keep their hair long (67%). (For more analysis of Sikhs’ views on passing religious traditions on to their children, see Chapter 8 .)

Sikhs are more likely than Indian adults overall to say they attend religious services every day – 40% of Sikhs say they go to the gurdwara (Sikh house of worship) daily. By comparison, 14% of Hindus say they go to a Hindu temple every day. Moreover, the vast majority of Sikhs (94%) regard their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, as the word of God, and many (37%) say they read it, or listen to recitations of it, every day.

Sikhs in India also incorporate other religious traditions into their practice. Some Sikhs (9%) say they follow Sufi orders, which are linked with Islam, and about half (52%) say they have a lot in common with Hindus. Roughly one-in-five Indian Sikhs say they have prayed, meditated or performed a ritual at a Hindu temple.

Sikh-Hindu relations were marked by violence in the 1970s and 1980s, when demands for a separate Sikh state covering the Punjab regions in both India and Pakistan (also known as the Khalistan movement) reached their apex. In 1984, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards as revenge for Indian paramilitary forces storming the Sikh Golden Temple in pursuit of Sikh militants. Anti-Sikh riots ensued in Northern India, especially in the state of Punjab.

According to the Indian census, the vast majority of Sikhs in India (77%) still live in Punjab, where Sikhs make up 58% of the adult population. And 93% of Punjabi Sikhs say they are very proud to live in the state.

Sikhs also are overwhelmingly proud of their Indian identity. A near-universal share of Sikhs say they are very proud to be Indian (95%), and the vast majority (70%) say a person who disrespects India cannot be a Sikh. And like India’s other religious groups, most Sikhs do not see evidence of widespread discrimination against their community – just 14% say Sikhs face a lot of discrimination in India, and 18% say they personally have faced religious discrimination in the last year.

At the same time, Sikhs are more likely than other religious communities to see communal violence as a very big problem in the country. Nearly eight-in-ten Sikhs (78%) rate communal violence as a major issue, compared with 65% of Hindus and Muslims.

The BJP has attempted to financially compensate Sikhs for some of the violence that occurred in 1984 after Indira Gandhi’s assassination, but relatively few Sikh voters (19%) report having voted for the BJP in the 2019 parliamentary elections. The survey finds that 33% of Sikhs preferred the Indian National Congress Party – Gandhi’s party.

• Ahmed, Hilal. 2019. “ Siyasi Muslims: A story of political Islams in India .” ↩
• All survey respondents, regardless of religion, were asked, “Are you from a General Category, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class?” By contrast, in the 2011 census of India, only Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists could be enumerated as members of Scheduled Castes, while Scheduled Tribes could include followers of all religions. General Category and Other Backward Classes were not measured in the census. A detailed analysis of differences between 2011 census data on caste and survey data can be found here . ↩
• According to the 2004 and 2009 National Election Studies by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), roughly half of Indians or more said that marriages of boys and girls from different castes should be  banned . In 2004, a majority also said this about people from different religions. ↩
• In both the 2004 and 2009 National Election Studies (organized by CSDS), roughly half of Indians said that “There should be a legal ban on religious conversions.” ↩
• This includes 0.2% of all Indian adults who now identify as Hindu but give an ambiguous response on how they were raised – either saying “some other religion” or saying they don’t know their childhood religion. ↩
• Puja is a specific worship ritual that involves prayer along with rites like offering flowers and food, using vermillion, singing and chanting. ↩
• Fifteen named deities were available for selection, though no answer options were read aloud. Respondents could select up to three of those 15 deities by naming them or selecting the corresponding image shown on a card. The answer option “another god” was available on the card or if any other deity name was volunteered by the respondent. Other possible answer options included “I do not have a god I feel closest to” and “I have many personal gods,” though neither was on the card. See the questionnaire or topline for the full list of gods offered. ↩
• The religious origins of karma are debated by scholars, but the concept has deep roots in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. ↩
• For an analysis of Jain theology on the concept of  jiva  (soul) see Chapple, Christopher K. 2014. “Life All Around: Soul in Jainism.” In Biernacki, Loriliai and Philip Clayton, eds. “ Panentheism Across the World’s Traditions .” ↩

Sign up for our weekly newsletter

Fresh data delivery Saturday mornings

Sign up for The Briefing

Weekly updates on the world of news & information

• Beliefs & Practices
• Christianity
• International Political Values
• International Religious Freedom & Restrictions
• Interreligious Relations
• Other Religions
• Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures Project
• Religious Characteristics of Demographic Groups
• Religious Identity & Affiliation
• Religiously Unaffiliated
• Size & Demographic Characteristics of Religious Groups

How common is religious fasting in the United States?

8 facts about atheists, spirituality among americans, how people in south and southeast asia view religious diversity and pluralism, religion among asian americans, most popular, report materials.

• Questionnaire
• இந்தியாவில் மதம்: சகிப்புத்தன்மையும், தனிமைப்படுத்துதலும்
• भारत में धर्म: सहिष्णुता और अलगाव
• ভারতে ধর্ম: সহনশীলতা এবং পৃথকীকরণ
• भारतातील धर्म : सहिष्णुता आणि विलग्नता
• Related: Religious Composition of India
• How Pew Research Center Conducted Its India Survey
• Questionnaire: Show Cards
• India Survey Dataset

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

• Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

© 2024 Pew Research Center

• Growth & Development
• Play & Activities
• Life Skills
• Play & Learning
• Learning & Education
• Rhymes & Songs
• Preschool Locator

Essay On Unity In Diversity – 10 Lines, Short And Long Essay For Kids

Key Points To Remember When Writing An Essay On ‘Unity In Diversity’ For Lower Primary Classes

10 lines on ‘unity in diversity’ for kids, a paragraph on ‘unity in diversity’ for children, essay on ‘unity in diversity’ in india for kids, long essay on ‘unity in diversity’ for children, what will your child learn from this essay.

Unity in diversity is a term that has been used in socio-cultural contexts since ancient generations. It means there is unity among the people despite geographic, ethnic, and religious differences. People living together harmoniously and speaking multiple languages are great examples of unity. This article will brief you on how to write an essay on unity in diversity for classes 1, 2, & 3. The unity in diversity essay in English will cover essential factors that influence unity and highlight its importance. Kids will learn a lot from this concept and will see society in a new light.

When many ethnic groups live together and get along by choice, not compulsion, it is called unity in diversity. Living in diversity can be beautiful and show us humanity’s uniqueness. Here are some key points to remember when writing about unity in diversity for lower primary classes:

• Start with an introduction on unity and discuss how diversity and unity are related.
• Cover examples of different cultures, ethnic groups, and religions which demonstrate the same.
• Discuss the strengths of unity in diversity in your essay and its positive consequences.
• End with a concluding paragraph highlighting its importance and summarise.

Respecting everyone and learning to work together in groups is a critical skill. Unity in diversity can be a lifelong skill and reap multiple benefits for the future. It is essential for the betterment of humanity and proves that we should not judge others based on their appearance, demographic, social, or economic status. An essay on this topic for classes 1 and 2 will cover all this and more. Here are a few lines on unity in diversity for your kids:

• India is a nation that celebrates unity in diversity, and there are many living examples of communities here.
• India has a great constitution that guarantees people’s rights despite belonging to different religions, cultures, and languages.
• Saints promote the message of brotherhood and practice unity in diversity.
• India, being a united country, can protect itself from foreign invasions and has successfully prevented attacks in the past.
• Unity promotes teamwork despite challenges.
• A unified country is easier to protect and ensures harmony.
• All religions are diverse in India and have their own sects and cultural philosophies.
• Unity in diversity teaches us that all living beings can bond and be tolerant of all values.
• Many beautiful poems teach us the importance of unity across different religions.
• Unity also ensures honesty among people.

Finding unity despite many differences is a skill that needs to be mastered with time. Here is a short paragraph on the unity in diversity concept:

There is a saying that alone we can do very little, but combined, we can do so much. Unity in diversity translates to this, and there are many similar slogans to it. Unity in diversity encourages thinking creatively. Diversity is built from unique traits, and much can be accomplished when you get cooperation from diverse groups. The best creative ideas are born from combined efforts, and many examples in history prove this. Mahatma Gandhi once said that a civilization’s test of time depends on unity. The only way to reach unity is through accepting diversity wholeheartedly. We can learn more about cooperation, empathy, and other values through unification.

Unity in diversity is an important concept to be learnt by kids. Given below is a short essay on the same.

Unity in diversity is important so all religions can co-exist and there is peace and harmony worldwide. Without unity, there would be chaos, and times can be rough. The most significant wars in history have shown us what happens when people get along and stand together. There is no point in fighting against each other, and understanding can go a long way towards achieving happiness. Unity is a word that starts with the letter ‘U,’ and yes, it means that we must begin by working on our minds first to unify with others. Unity is a great strength and a good source of identity. The art of thinking independently and acting together is very powerful and a force to be reckoned with. The concept ensures the ethical and moral evolution of humanity in difficult times. Its importance cannot be underestimated; only time reveals the consequences of not being unified when everyone faces hardships. Forgetting the regional, religious, and ethical differences and coming together in a time of need is the real essence of this concept.

Unity in diversity is a popular concept and common phrase used by people. It makes for a great topic for discussion right before exams and can be assigned as homework. Here is how to go about writing a long essay for class 3 on it:

The meaning of unity in diversity is to get along together despite having differences. India is a great example of unity in diversity as a nation because of how people from different religions, cultures, economic strata, castes, creeds, and languages connect.

India is densely populated, and the citizens practice different religions such as Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity, and more. People worship different gods and take their word for reverence. The people also celebrate festivals such as Holi, Diwali, Mahavir Jayanti and other festivals and events peacefully without worrying about facing protests from different cultures or religions.

You can’t have an understanding like this without unity and vice versa. When we spend too much time fighting against each other, it becomes futile, and all our efforts are wasted. Unity is used to bring peace and stability to this world. Kindness does not cost; by promoting mutual understanding, we go a long way towards becoming better human beings.

Unity between many cultures also shows how different religions and belief systems get along. It feels wonderful when everyone works in harmony and there is positive energy in the environment. Unity creates a state of togetherness, and the best ideas or efforts are born from unification. Every human has a purpose or mission; sometimes, the only way to become the best versions of ourselves is by establishing unity.

What Does ‘Unity In Diversity’ Mean?

The meaning of unity in diversity is to combine our efforts, promote peacefulness, and tolerate our differences in understanding different values.

What Is The Importance Of Unity In Diversity?

The importance of unity in diversity:

• Improves morale and balances relationships
• Develops mutual understanding, empathy, and emotional intelligence
• Improves cooperation, coordination, and communal productivity
• Promotes harmony and makes it easier to finish larger tasks
• Enhances communication and brings together people through a collaborative approach

Disadvantages Of Unity In Diversity

The disadvantages of unity in diversity are:

• Can invite terrorist groups or attract unwanted attention when working on projects
• Takes time to get to know people, bond, and ask them to work with others
• It can be hard to override religious beliefs and people who are too involved in certain societies or stereotypes
• The cost of unifying people can be very high

Difference Between Unity And Diversity

Unity is the state of being undivided or ‘oneness,’ and diversity shows the uniqueness of being different.

Factors That Can Help To Improve Unity In Diversity

Factors that can help to improve unity in diversity are:

• The chanting of national anthems and encouraging religious harmony
• Geographic unity, where people of different cultures and demographics live in the same region
• Unity through language where people who speak multiple languages interact
• Religious unity means people of different religions who understand each other, despite differences

After reading this essay, your child will learn to get along with other kids. Unity in diversity is a concept that’s absolutely essential to understand for self-development.

You can best understand the benefits of unity in diversity by working on an essay with your kids. Get your children to invite their friends over, discuss ideas, and enjoy writing!

Essay On Teamwork for Kids Essay On Hardwork in English for Children How to Write An Essay On Value of Time for Kids

• Essays for Class 1
• Essays for Class 2
• Essays for Class 3

How To Make A Paper Plate Submarine?

S.t.e.m-based shows that are good for kids, low-stimulation shows to keep your kid busy (for when you need a break), leave a reply cancel reply.

Log in to leave a comment

Most Popular

Diy water pistol painting, jellyfish salt painting, recent comments.

FirstCry Intelli Education is an Early Learning brand, with products and services designed by educators with decades of experience, to equip children with skills that will help them succeed in the world of tomorrow.

The FirstCry Intellikit `Learn With Stories` kits for ages 2-6 brings home classic children`s stories, as well as fun activities, specially created by our Early Learning Educators.

For children 6 years and up, explore a world of STEAM learning, while engaging in project-based play to keep growing minds busy!

Build a love for reading through engaging book sets and get the latest in brain-boosting toys, recommended by the educators at FirstCry Intellitots.

Our Comprehensive 2-year Baby Brain Development Program brings to you doctor-approved toys for your baby`s developing brain.

Our Preschool Chain offers the best in education across India, for children ages 2 and up.

©2024 All rights reserved

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Welcome to the world of Intelli!

We have some FREE Activity E-books waiting for you. Fill in your details below so we can send you tailor- made activities for you and your little one.

Parent/Guardian's Name

Child's DOB

What would you like to receive other than your Free E-book? I would like information, discounts and offers on toys, books and products I want to find a FirstCry Intellitots Preschool near me I want access to resources for my child's development and/or education

Welcome to the world of intelli!

FREE guides and worksheets coming your way on whatsapp. Subscribe Below !!

THANK YOU!!!

Here are your free guides and worksheets.

• OUR CENTERS Bangalore Delhi Lucknow Mysuru Srinagar Dharwad Hyderabad

Call us @ 08069405205

Search Here

• An Introduction to the CSE Exam
• Personality Test
• Annual Calendar by UPSC-2024
• Common Myths about the Exam
• About Insights IAS
• Our Mission, Vision & Values
• Director's Desk
• Meet Our Team
• Our Branches
• Careers at Insights IAS
• Daily Current Affairs+PIB Summary
• Insights into Editorials
• Insta Revision Modules for Prelims
• Current Affairs Quiz
• Static Quiz
• Current Affairs RTM
• Insta-DART(CSAT)
• Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Prelims 2024
• Secure (Mains Answer writing)
• Secure Synopsis
• Ethics Case Studies
• Insta Ethics
• Weekly Essay Challenge
• Insta Revision Modules-Mains
• Insta 75 Days Revision Tests for Mains
• Secure (Archive)
• Anthropology
• Law Optional
• Kannada Literature
• Public Administration
• English Literature
• Medical Science
• Mathematics
• Commerce & Accountancy
• Monthly Magazine: CURRENT AFFAIRS 30
• Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)
• InstaMaps: Important Places in News
• Weekly CA Magazine
• The PRIME Magazine
• Insta Revision Modules-Prelims
• Insta-DART(CSAT) Quiz
• Insta 75 days Revision Tests for Prelims 2022
• Insights SECURE(Mains Answer Writing)
• Interview Transcripts
• Previous Years' Question Papers-Prelims
• Answer Keys for Prelims PYQs
• Solve Prelims PYQs
• Previous Years' Question Papers-Mains
• UPSC CSE Syllabus
• Toppers from Insights IAS
• Testimonials
• Felicitation
• UPSC Results
• Indian Heritage & Culture
• Ancient Indian History
• Medieval Indian History
• Modern Indian History
• World History
• World Geography
• Indian Geography
• Indian Society
• Social Justice
• International Relations
• Agriculture
• Environment & Ecology
• Disaster Management
• Science & Technology
• Security Issues
• Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude

• Indian Heritage & Culture
• Enivornment & Ecology

Tag: Today India Needs ‘Harmony in Diversity’ Not Unity in Diversity.

(insta plan 2.0) insights weekly essay challenges 2020 – week 39: “today india needs ‘harmony in diversity’, not unity in diversity.”.

Tags: harmony in diversity , Today India Needs 'Harmony in Diversity' Not Unity in Diversity.

Insights Weekly Essay Challenges 2020 – Week 39 Archives 28 June 2020 Write an essay on the following topic in not more than 1000-1200 words: “Today India Needs ‘Harmony in Diversity’, Not Unity in Diversity.” Note: This topic is part of Insta Revision Plan 2.0 too. No separate topic will be posted under Insta Plan2.0. …

Continue reading “(INSTA Plan 2.0) Insights Weekly Essay Challenges 2020 – Week 39: “Today India Needs ‘Harmony in Diversity’, Not Unity in Diversity.””

• Our Mission, Vision & Values
• Director’s Desk
• Commerce & Accountancy
• Previous Years’ Question Papers-Prelims
• Previous Years’ Question Papers-Mains
• Environment & Ecology
• Science & Technology

Essay on Communal Harmony in India

Students are often asked to write an essay on Communal Harmony in India in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Communal Harmony in India

Introduction.

India is a diverse nation, home to various religions, languages, and cultures. Communal harmony, the co-existence of different communities in mutual respect and understanding, is vital for India’s unity.

Importance of Communal Harmony

Communal harmony is crucial for maintaining peace and prosperity. It promotes goodwill, cooperation, and reduces conflicts, thus fostering national integration.

Challenges to Communal Harmony

Despite its importance, communal harmony faces challenges such as religious intolerance and political manipulation, which can lead to violence and unrest.

Role of Education

Education plays a key role in promoting communal harmony. It helps inculcate values of tolerance and mutual respect among students.

In conclusion, communal harmony is essential for India’s progress and stability. Let’s strive to uphold it for a peaceful India.

250 Words Essay on Communal Harmony in India

India, often referred to as the epitome of diversity, is a country with a plethora of religions, cultures, and languages. This diversity, though beautiful, can at times lead to conflicts. However, the concept of communal harmony, the peaceful coexistence of all communities, is deeply embedded in the Indian ethos.

The Essence of Communal Harmony

Communal harmony in India is not merely about the absence of violence. It’s about understanding and appreciating the diversity, fostering a sense of belongingness and mutual respect among different communities. It is about finding common ground in diversity, and celebrating the unity in this diversity.

Despite the constitutional safeguards and the ideals of secularism, India has witnessed communal clashes. Factors such as socio-economic disparities, political manipulations, and misinformation can incite communal tensions. These incidents, though not representative of the Indian spirit, pose a significant challenge to communal harmony.

Preserving Communal Harmony

Preserving communal harmony requires collective efforts from all stakeholders. Education plays a key role in fostering understanding and tolerance. The media, as a significant influencer, should promote responsible reporting. The government must ensure stringent law enforcement and promote policies that foster inclusivity.

Communal harmony, the cornerstone of Indian democracy, is not just a necessity but a way of life. It is the thread that weaves the diverse fabric of India into a vibrant tapestry. Despite challenges, the spirit of unity in diversity continues to define and strengthen the Indian society.

500 Words Essay on Communal Harmony in India

India is a country of vast diversity, known for its rich tapestry of cultures, religions, and languages. This diversity is India’s strength, but it also presents challenges in maintaining communal harmony. Despite these challenges, India has largely managed to uphold communal harmony, a testament to its pluralistic society and democratic values.

Communal Harmony: An Essential Ingredient for National Integration

Communal harmony is not just about peaceful co-existence; it is about mutual respect, understanding, and appreciation of various cultures and religions. It is an essential ingredient for national integration in India. The Indian constitution, with its emphasis on secularism, provides a robust framework for fostering communal harmony. It guarantees every citizen the right to freedom of religion, ensuring that no individual or community is marginalized.

Despite the constitutional provisions, communal harmony in India has been tested time and again. Factors such as socio-economic disparities, political manipulations, and misinterpretations of religious doctrines have led to communal tensions and conflicts. The communal riots in Gujarat in 2002 and Muzaffarnagar in 2013 are grim reminders of the fragile nature of communal harmony in India.

The Role of Education

Education plays a crucial role in promoting communal harmony. It can act as a powerful tool to break stereotypes, dispel misconceptions, and foster understanding among different communities. Introducing subjects like moral education and ethics in the curriculum can instill values of tolerance and mutual respect among students.

Media and Communal Harmony

Media, both traditional and new, have a significant role to play in promoting communal harmony. They can act as a bridge between different communities, highlighting shared values and common goals. However, the media can also exacerbate communal tensions if not used responsibly. Therefore, media literacy and ethical journalism are critical for preserving communal harmony.

The Way Forward

The way forward for communal harmony in India lies in a multi-pronged approach. Firstly, the government must ensure strict enforcement of laws against communal violence and hate speech. Secondly, civil society organizations and community leaders must work together to foster dialogue and understanding among different communities. Lastly, individuals must take personal responsibility to reject divisive ideologies and promote unity in diversity.

Communal harmony in India is a complex and ongoing process. It requires the collective efforts of the government, civil society, and individuals. Despite the challenges, India’s history of pluralism and tolerance provides hope for a future where all communities can live together in harmony. This harmony is not only essential for India’s national integration but also for its progress and prosperity. As the youth of India, it is our responsibility to uphold and strengthen this communal harmony, ensuring that India’s diversity continues to be its strength.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Wildlife in India
• Essay on Startup Ecosystem in India
• Essay on Population Growth in India

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Future Students
• Parents and Families

Center for Nonviolence & Peace Studies

Promoting peace and a global beloved community through nonviolence.

• Nonviolence Training

International Nonviolence Trainer’s Award (April 1st)

The Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies at the University of Rhode Island (URI) recognizes Dr. Theodore A. Johnson with the International Nonviolence Trainer’s Award on April 1, 2024.

Dr. Johnson is honored for leading by example while guiding others and practicing Conflict Resolution, Coexistence, Nonviolence, and Peacebuilding in the United States and globally for many decades. Dr. Johnson exemplifies strong leadership, courage, creativity, and determination as he actively pursues the universal goal of many great peacemakers: for diverse people and cultures to coexist peacefully, successfully resolve conflicts, and ultimately, learn and thrive together. Dr. Johnson strives to build peaceful change in the world and to bring about positive social transformation through different levels of formal and non-formal educational programs. Dr. Johnson continues to provide meaningful professional contributions towards justice in social services, legal services, and other transformative peace initiatives and increased intercultural understanding and harmony.

Dr. Johnson has devoted considerable energy to conflict resolution and cross-racial communication issues that span a vast geographical scope. He actively worked to solve domestic race issues in Selma, Birmingham in Alabama, and Atlanta in Georgia. He worked directly with inner-city gang members in numerous locations, including Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, Chicago, and Washington D.C. Dr. Johnson also formerly worked in post-apartheid South Africa, as well as in Cyprus, counseling Greek and Turkish Cypriots towards bi-communal coexistence. He supported universities and political leaders in Northern and South-Central Iraq to develop joint problem-solving skills and strategies. Additionally, he served communities in Angola, Armenia, India, Israel, and Palestine while practicing and leading others in Dispute Resolution Practices. He contributes to numerous national and international justice-related projects, legal mediation, peace, and nonviolence.

Dr. Johnson is an expert in Dispute Resolution Practices and has worked as a negotiation trainer within various communities, corporations, and global organizations, including IBM, Microsoft, the World Food Program, the World Bank, and USAID. He actively serves as a Certified Court Mediator in the State of Massachusetts and a Dispute Resolution and Educational Consultant with Boston Public Schools. Additionally, Dhas made significant contributions to justice while working as the Deputy District Attorney for Orange County, California. In Massachusetts, he worked with programs at the Conflict Management Group in Cambridge and served as Program Director for Mercy Corps in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Dr. Johnson’s educational background is diverse and inspiring. He earned his Ph.D. in International Relations from the Fletcher School at Tufts University, specializing in Cultural Effectiveness within International Organizations, specifically the World Health Organization. He also received his Master of Arts, Law, and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School at Tufts University and earned his LLB/JD from the Western State University College of Law in Irvine, California. 

Among the honors he received during his studies are the American Jurisprudence Award and the honor of serving as Salutatorian for his graduating class. Today, Dr. Theodore A. Johnson is a retired professor from the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He also works as a Mediator with Mediation Works Incorporated (MWI) in Boston, MA.

Over the years, Dr. Theodore A. Johnson has taught many peace-related courses, including International Humanitarian Law, Mediation Principles and Skills, Advanced Mediation Skills, and Practice, as well as courses in Kingian Nonviolence, at numerous different international higher education institutions, including the University of Rhode Island.

He has been an invited speaker and presenter for BOLI (Brandeis’ Lifelong Learning Institute) and was named a Brandeis University Parliamentarian (2018 – 2021). Dr Johnson was active in the Richman Fellowship Selection Committee and was a Faculty Advisor for the International Center for Ethics, Justice, and Public Life.

Besides teaching at universities, Dr. Theodore A. Johnson has continually conducted research, written journal articles, and published many papers and presentations. He was a Co-author, Note, and Comment Editor for the WSU Law Review, published in the Worcester Telegraph. He played a crucial role in multiple Academic Conferences, such as “Difficult Conversations in the Times of Trump,” which was held at Union College in Schenectady, New York, and other universities, including the University of Rhode Island at Kingston, RI; La Universidad para la Paz (University for Peace) in Costa Rica, The University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee and others continue to warmly receive Dr. Theodore A. Johnson for lectures or presentations on various topics, including ‘Compassionate Listening.” Multiple institutions have recognized his contribution to peace service with awards, including the Heller School Mentoring Award, for outstanding support and encouragement of Heller students’ research, education, professional and personal development.

Despite his achievements and recognition, Dr. Theodore A. Johnson remains humble and jovial at heart. He has a great passion for culture and music. He is an accomplished musician who can frequently be heard playing the piano beautifully wherever he travels and joining in choruses of peace songs.

Dr. Johnson attended and received his Level I Kingian Nonviolence Trainers certification in 2018, Level II Advanced Nonviolence Trainers certification in 2019, and in 2023, was awarded the Level III Nonviolence Trainer’s certification during the International Nonviolence Summer Institute at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies. He has contributed to the ongoing success of the Summer Institute as a beloved member of the Kingian Nonviolence Training Team Community at URI.The University of Rhode Island Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies sincerely thanks Dr. Theodore A. Johnson for his peaceful mission and congratulates him for winning the International Nonviolence Trainer’s Award.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

India election results: Modi claims victory for alliance

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters listen to prime minister Narendra Modi’s victory speech at the party headquarters in New Delhi.

• Copy Link copied

Today’s live coverage has ended, but there’s still plenty to catch up on. Read what you missed below and find more coverage on the AP’s global elections hub.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has claimed victory for his alliance as early results from the staggered, six-week election showed fewer seats for his Bharatiya Janata Party than expected and it appeared unlikely to secure a majority on its own. Final figures are not expected until Wednesday local time, with counting going late into the night.

Here’s what to know:

• Where results stand: After winning a record 303 seats in 2019, Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party appeared unlikely to win more than 240, far short of the 272 needed to form a majority government on its own.
• National Democratic Alliance: The political coalition led by Modi’s party appears on track to win a combined 286 seat majority.
• Modi claims early victory: In a speech to supporters , Modi claimed victory for his alliance , calling the election a big win despite the stronger-than-expected challenge from the opposition.

Across India, supporters of various political parties, leaders and candidates celebrated wins as counting nears its end

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by supporters as he arrives at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A supporter of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) dances as he celebrates with others their party’s lead during the counting of votes in India’s national election in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Samajwadi Party supporters celebrate their party’s lead during the counting of votes in India’s national election in Lucknow, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi, in white shirt, sees his mother and party leader Sonia Gandhi off as she leaves the party headquarters after feeling physical discomfort during a press conference in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Congress Party supporters wait to get a glimpse of the party leader Rahul Gandhi at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party supporters celebrate as they follow proceedings of the vote counting at their party headquarters in Chennai, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Trinamool Congress Party leader and Chief Minister of West Bengal state, Mamata Banerjee, and her nephew and party leader Abhishek Banerjee make a victory sign with their hands as they arrive to address a press conference in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters dance inside the party office after hearing of a candidate’s victory during the counting in India’s national election, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party showed a comfortable lead Tuesday, according to early figures reported by India’s Election Commission, but was facing a stronger challenge from the opposition than had been expected. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Supporters of Congress Party cheer the party leader Rahul Gandhi, center, as he leaves the party headquarters after addressing a press conference in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A Congress Party supporter carries a flag printed with a portrait of party leader Rahul Gandhi at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A Samajwadi Party supporter carries portraits of party leader Akhilesh Yadav, right, and Congress Party leader, Rahul Gandhi, as he celebrates his party’s lead during the counting of votes in India’s national election in Lucknow, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Workers carry a large cutout portrait of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

A man walks past posters with portraits of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state President K. Annamalai on a street in Chennai, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

After winning a record 303 seats in 2019, the BJP appeared unlikely to win more than 240, far short of the 272 needed to form a majority government on its own, with 194 seats won and the lead in 46 constituencies and counting ongoing.

Modi’s NDA coalition, meantime, was on track to win a combined 286 seat majority, with 225 seats won and leads in 61 races.

The opposition INDIA coalition appeared as if it would win 210 seats.

Final figures were not expected until Wednesday, with counting going late into the night.

The White House on Tuesday commended India for demonstrating its “vibrant democratic process” after close to 970 million Indians went to the polls during its six-week long election.

White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the turnout demonstrated the Indian electorate’s commitment to democracy.

“So we celebrate that with them,” Kirby told reporters. ”And we applaud the government writ large for successfully completing a truly, massively-sized electoral undertaking.”

Kirby declined to comment about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his BJP party’s apparent victory, noting that “not all the votes have been tallied and counted.”

Indian President Droupadi Murmu greets the crowd gathered at her temporary residence in New Delhi in 2022 (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

India’s president is its head of state, but the position is largely ceremonial.

Droupadi Murmu, the current president, was elected in 2022 by lawmakers — an electoral college that consists of lawmakers in both houses of Parliament and elected members of the legislative assemblies of all states. She hails from the same political party as Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The position can be important during times of political uncertainty such as a hung parliament, when the office assumes greater power. The president is bound by the advice of the Cabinet led by the prime minister, who is the chief executive.

Tallies reported by India’s Election Commission showed Modi’s BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, 209 of them going to BJP.

The opposition Congress party is part of the INDIA alliance , which so far had won 177 seats, 81 of them for Congress.

Tallying is ongoing. A total of 272 seats are needed for a majority.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration of Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, a promenade that connects the sacred Ganges River with the centuries-old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Varanasi, India, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who claimed victory for his alliance in an election seen as a referendum on his decade in power, is a popular but polarizing leader who has presided over a fast-growing economy while advancing Hindu nationalism.

Modi, 73, is only the second Indian prime minister to win a third straight term.

To supporters, Modi is a larger-than-life figure who has improved India’s standing in the world, helped make its economy the world’s fifth-largest , and streamlined the country’s vast welfare program, which serves around 60% of the population. To some, he may even be more than human.

But to critics, he’s a cult leader who has eroded India’s democracy and advanced divisive politics targeting the Muslims who make up 14% of the country’s population. They say he has also increasingly wielded strong-arm tactics to subdue political opponents, squeeze independent media and quash dissent.

▶ Read more in our profile of the prime minister.

As Narendra Modi claimed victory for his alliance, congratulations from neighbors began rolling in on X despite the National Democratic Alliance having several seats to win before securing a majority.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal: “Congratulations to PM @narendramodi on the electoral success of BJP and NDA in the Loksabha elections for the third consecutive term. We are happy to note the successful completion of the world’s largest democratic exercise with enthusiastic participation of the people of India.”

Bhutanese Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay: “Congratulations to my friend PM @narendramodi ji and NDA for the historic 3rd consecutive win in the world’s biggest elections. As he continues to lead Bharat to great heights, I look forward to working closely with him to further strengthen the relations between our 2 countries.”

Mauritian Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth: “Congratulations Prime Minister Modi Ji @narendramodi on your laudable victory for a historic third term. Under your helm, the largest democracy will continue to achieve remarkable progress. Long live the Mauritius-India special relationship.”

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe: I extend my warmest felicitations to the @BJP4India led NDA on its victory, demonstrating the confidence of the Indian people in the progress and prosperity under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. As the closest neighbour Sri Lanka looks forward to further strengthening the partnership with India.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is garlanded by senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders Rajnath Singh, left, party President JP Nadda, right, and Amit Shah, at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Around 33 minutes.

32. The National Democratic Alliance, led by Narendra Modi’s BJP, has claimed 240 seats. It needs 272 to secure a majority and thus a third term for the prime minister.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says India will will see a “new chapter of big decisions” in his third term in office.

After claiming victory for his coalition alliance despite a lackluster performance from his own party, Modi told a crowd at party headquarters he would not shirk from pushing forward with his agenda.

He said he would advance India’s defense production, jobs for youth, raise exports and help farmers, among other things.

“This country will see a new chapter of big decisions. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he said, speaking in the third person.

His speech is still ongoing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets supporters as he arrives at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi promises “new chapter of big decisions” after declaring victory for his coalition.

But if his BJP is indeed forced to form a coalition, the party would likely “be heavily dependent on the goodwill of its allies, which makes them critical players who we can expect will extract their pound of flesh, both in terms of policymaking as well as government formation,” said Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed victory for his alliance, despite a lackluster performance from his own party as it faced a stronger than expected challenge from the opposition, which pushed back against the leader’s mixed economic record and polarizing politics.

Modi said that his National Democratic Alliance will form the government for the third consecutive time.

“Today’s victory is the victory of the world’s largest democracy,” he said, speaking at his party headquarters.

For the first time since Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party swept to power in 2014, it appeared unlikely that it would secure a majority on its own – but the prime minister’s coalition was still expected to be elected to a third five-year term in the world’s largest democratic exercise .

If Modi does have to rely on coalition support to govern, it would be a stunning blow for the 73-year-old, who had hoped for a landslide victory.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi claims victory for his alliance, 329 of 543 seats have been decided, according to India’s Election Commission. Counting is expected to continue through the night.

Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party and its National Democratic Alliance has yet to secure the 272 seats needed for a parliamentary majority, but the prime minister has declared “a very big win.”

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi swept to power a decade ago on promises to transform India’s economy, and as he seeks a third term as prime minister, it would be hard to argue he hasn’t made strides.

▶ Read more about the growth of India’s economy — and why some feel left behind.

Supporters of National Democratic Alliance watch as their candidates arrive to file nomination papers ahead of national elections in Mumbai, India, Monday, April 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

The National Democratic Alliance, an Indian political coalition, is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. It was founded in 1998 and comprises center-right and right-wing political parties.

The coalition’s first chair was former BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The coalition ruled from 1998 to 2004, but then was out of power until 2014, when Modi was first elected as the prime minister.

BJP’s key allies in the NDA include more than a dozen regional parties, including the Telugu Desam Party, Janta Dal (United), Pattali Makkal Katchi, the Republican Parry of India (Athwale Group) and Shiv Sena.

The NDA could be key to Modi retaining his position. In the past two elections, the BJP has secured an outright majority, but early figures indicate it might need the coalition to reach that threshold.

More than 12 hours after vote counting started, India’s Election Commission reports that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has won 140 seats while the Congress party has won 55.

272 seats are needed to secure a majority. Preliminary results indicate Modi’s BJP will need to rely on its coalition partners to achieve that.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived at Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in New Delhi, where supporters are spilling out into the road.

Samajwadi Party supporters dance as they celebrate their party’s lead during the counting of votes in India’s national election in Lucknow, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party is facing a major upset in India’s most populous state at the hands of a powerful regional group, Samajwadi Party or Socialist Group.

The Samajwadi Party, founded in 1992 and now led by Akhilesh Yadav, has already won 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh state and was leading in another 28 constituencies. It is part of the Congress-led INDIA alliance, which is facing off against the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance.

Modi’s BJP has won in 12 districts (including Modi’s own Varanasi seat) and is leading in 20 constituencies. Exit polls had predicted a landslide victory for the BJP in the state.

“In this election, it seems Lord Ram has deserted the BJP,” Samajwadi spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhry said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, shows the indelible ink mark on his index finger after casting his vote during the third phase of general elections, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, Tuesday, May 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

The 73-year-old is one of India’s most beloved — and polarizing — leaders. He’s already won twice, first in 2014 and then in 2019, and is now seeking a hattrick victory.

His supporters see him as a self-made, strong leader who has improved India’s standing on the global stage, and credit his pro-business policies with making the economy the world’s fifth-largest. At the same time, his rule has seen brazen attacks against minorities, particularly Muslims.

India’s democracy, critics say, is faltering and Modi has increasingly blurred the line between religion and state. But both agree on one thing: Modi has achieved staying power by making Hindu nationalism acceptable — desirable, even — to a nation of 1.4 billion that for decades prided itself on secularism and diversity.

Millions of Indians are voting in a six-week long national election in a referendum on Narendra Modi, the populist prime minister who has championed an assertive brand of Hindu nationalist politics. The voters will cast ballots in the first round of voting across 21 states. Over 970 million voters will elect 543 members for the lower house of Parliament for five years during the staggered elections that will run until June 1. The votes will be counted on June 4. (AP Video by Piyush Nagpal)

Each phase was held on a single day, with voting in several constituencies across multiple states. The staggered polling allowed the government to deploy tens of thousands of troops to prevent violence and transport election officials and voting machines.

People walk past a large poster of the movie “Swatantra Veer Savarkar” displayed outside a cinema hall in Mumbai (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

For more than a century, Bollywood has unified India, a country riven with religious, caste and political divide. It’s been a rare industry where religion has been least influential in deciding the success of filmmakers and actors. Bollywood films have also championed political diversity and religious harmony.

That culture, however, appears to be under threat.

Under Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government, many filmmakers have made movies on bygone Hindu kings extolling their bravery. Boisterous and action-packed movies valorizing the Indian Army have become box office successes. Political dramas and biopics that eulogize Hindu nationalists are the norm.

In most of these films, the stock villains are medieval Muslim rulers, leftist or opposition leaders, free thinkers or rights activists — and neighboring Pakistan.

▶ Read more about how some in the Hindi film industry have embraced Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says his coalition is on the path to a third straight term in government after India’s marathon election.

“People have placed their faith in NDA, for a third consecutive time! This is a historical feat in India’s history,” Modi on Tuesday said in a post on X, referring to the National Democratic Alliance which his party heads. He said he will continue to work and fulfil the aspirations of the people.

As Modi posted his comment, his coalition had won 128 seats and led in 157 races according to the Election Commission. A total of 272 seats were needed to form a majority government.

For Payal, a resident of the northern city of Lucknow who uses only one name, the election was about the economy and India’s vast number of people living in poverty. “People are suffering, there are no jobs, people are in such a state that their kids are compelled to make and sell tea on the roadside,” Payal said. “This is a big deal for us. If we don’t wake up now, when will we?”

Supporters of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) dance as they celebrate their party’s lead during the counting of votes in India’s national election in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Supporters of Congress Party dance as they celebrate their party’s lead during the counting of votes in India’s national election in Mumbai, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Faces of Trinamool Congress Party supporters smeared with green colour display victory sign as they celebrate the election results in Kolkata, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party showed a comfortable lead Tuesday, according to early figures reported by India’s Election Commission, but was facing a stronger challenge from the opposition than had been expected. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party supporters cheer as they follow proceedings of the vote counting at their party headquarters in Chennai, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. India began counting more than 640 million votes Tuesday in the world’s largest democratic exercise, which was widely expected to return Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a third term after a decade in power. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters shout slogans as they celebrate their party’s lead during the counting of votes outside the party office in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Congress party supporters cheer as they follow proceedings of vote counting at their party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. India began counting more than 640 million votes Tuesday in the world’s largest democratic exercise, which was widely expected to return Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a third term after a decade in power. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

A band plays music as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters dance inside the party office after hearing of a candidate’s victory during the counting in India’s national election, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. xPrime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party showed a comfortable lead Tuesday, according to early figures reported by India’s Election Commission, but was facing a stronger challenge from the opposition than had been expected. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters light firecrackers after hearing of a candidate’s victory during the counting of votes in India’s national election, in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Across India, supporters of various political parties have been celebrating results as they trickle in with colored powder, fireworks, drums and more.

Hindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, is now mainstream. Nobody has done more to advance this cause than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of India’s most beloved and polarizing political leaders.

Hindu nationalism , once a fringe ideology in India , is now mainstream. Nobody has done more to advance this cause than Prime Minister Narendra Modi , one of India’s most beloved and polarizing political leaders.

And no entity has had more influence on his political philosophy and ambitions than a paramilitary, right-wing group founded nearly a century ago and known as the RSS.

▶ Read more about how Hindu nationalism has become mainstream over the past decade.

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal greets his supporters from a vehicle during a roadshow in New Delhi, India, Saturday, May 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

As votes are being counted, Arvind Kejriwal, 55, is likely keeping track — from jail.

One of India’s most consequential opposition leaders, Kejriwal was arrested in March over alleged corruption charges, and let out on bail in May for a few weeks. He campaigned heavily during this time in his stronghold of New Delhi, India’s capital, as well as a few other cities before heading back to jail.

Kejriwal stormed into Indian politics in 2012 as he launched the anti-corruption Aam Aadmi Party, or Common People’s Party.

Since then, he has emerged as a fierce Modi rival, especially in New Delhi and Punjab state, where his party is in power.

His arrest and the ensuing saga dominated headlines, as he and his party accused Modi’s government of engineering his arrest to keep him out of the race. The government has denied this.

Kejriwal’s AAP is part of a broad alliance of opposition parties called INDIA, the main challenger to Modi’s BJP in this election.

Congress Party leader Rahul Gandhi holds a copy of the Indian Constitution as he addresses a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Rahul Gandhi, the face of the Congress party’s campaign and would-be prime minister, said the preliminary results showed India does not want Narendra Modi.

“People’s clear message to PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah is that we don’t want you to run the nation,” Gandhi said at a Congress party press conference around 10 hours into the vote count. “The poorest of this country have defended the constitution of India.”

Flanked by Congress leaders, including mother Sonia Gandhi, the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty scion brandished a copy of the constitution.

Despite a stronger-than-expected showing from Congress’ INDIA alliance thus far, Modi is still expected to secure a third term as prime minister.

The counting is ticking along more than 10 hours after it began, and results have now been called for 103 parliamentary seats out of a total of 543.

Modi’s National Democratic Alliance had won 67 seats, with 62 of them going to his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, according to India’s Election Commission. The opposing INDIA coalition had bagged 31 seats, with the main Congress party winning 27 of them. The remaining five seats went to other regional parties.

Congress party leader Shashi Taroor, and contender for the party president position, left, raises hands with newly elected president Mallikarjun Kharge in New Delhi, India, Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

India’s opposition Congress party has called its alliance’s strong showing in the polls a “win for democracy” and a “moral and political loss” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress party President Mallikarjun Kharge just addressed a press conference in New Delhi, saying that because no party had a clear majority, the mandate was against Modi.

“Our fight has not ended yet. We will continue to fight for the country’s development, for the constitution, for the benefit of the people,” Kharge said.

Modi’s coalition led in a majority of seats Tuesday in India’s general election , according to early figures, but faced a stronger challenge from the opposition than expected after it pushed back against the leader’s mixed economic record and polarizing politics. Modi was still widely expected to be elected to a third five-year term in the world’s largest democratic exercise .

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters celebrate in Srinagar as vote counting is underway in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha election. AP video: Dar Yasin

Some 10 hours into counting , partial tallies reported by India’s Election Commission showed Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party was ahead in 196 constituencies and had won 45, including one uncontested, of 543 parliamentary seats. The main opposition Congress party led in 83 constituencies and had won 15.

A total of 272 seats are needed for a majority. In 2019, the BJP won 303 seats, while they secured 282 in 2014 when Modi first came to power.

Modi’s party is part of the National Democratic Alliance, whose members led in 236 constituencies and won 50, according to the partial count. The Congress party is part of the INDIA alliance , which led in 211 constituencies and had won 19.

The Election Commission does not release data on the percentage of votes tallied.

India’s general elections are held every five years. There are no specified term limits for lawmakers and thus no limit on how many years a prime minister can serve. Narendra Modi has already been in power for a decade. Should he win a third term and finish it out, he’ll near the record of the longest-serving prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

India employs a first-past-the-post multiparty electoral system. That means for individual contests, whoever receives the most votes wins. To win a parliamentary majority — and thus the premiership — a party or a coalition of parties must secure at least 272 seats (543 seats are up for a vote). India’s electoral system is similar to the U.K.’s.

Congress party supporters celebrate in Mumbai as vote counting is underway in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha election. (AP video: Rafiq Maqbool)

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi filed his nomination on Tuesday to run for a third term in India’s general election. Modi hopes to retain his seat in the holy Hindu city, his constituency, from where he ran and won, first in 2014 and then again in 2019. (AP video shot by Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Although Narendra Modi is the former chief minister of Gujarat, the incumbent prime minister has retained his seat in Varanasi.

It’s the constituency from which he first ran and won in 2014. Located in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, Varanasi is a holy Hindu city. It’s about 1,350 kilometers (840 miles) east of Modi’s hometown of Vadnagar in Gujarat state.

A woman shows her index fingers marked with an indelible ink as she poses for a photograph next to a cutout portrait of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi after casting her vote in Varanasi, India (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won his seat from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, the constituency from where he ran and won, first in 2014 and then again in 2019, India’s election commission reported.

Modi, who won by more than 152,000 votes, secured 54% of total votes. He was pitted against opposition Congress party’s Ajai Rai, who secured 40% of the votes.

The holy city is located on the banks of the revered Ganges River and is part of Uttar Pradesh state, India’s most populous, with around 200 million people.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a white waistcoat, and Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh greet supporters from a vehicle during a roadshow in Varanasi, India, Monday, May 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar)

In campaign rallies, Narendra Modi has called Muslims “infiltrators” and said they “have too many children,” referring to a Hindu nationalist trope that Muslims produce more children with the aim of outnumbering Hindus in India. He has also accused the rival Indian National Congress party of scheming to “loot” wealth from the country’s Hindus and redistribute it among Muslims, who comprise 14% of India’s more than 1.4 billion people.

Modi had kicked off his campaign with a focus on economic progress, promising he would make India a developed nation by 2047. But he and the ruling BJP doubled down heavily on their Hindu nationalism platform , with Modi employing some of his most divisive rhetoric in his decade in power.

The Congress party filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India, alleging Modi broke rules that bar candidates from engaging in any activity that aggravates religious tensions.

Analysts say the change in tone came as the BJP targeted a supermajority by consolidating votes among the majority Hindu population — a number that now seems out of reach. They say Modi’s party also ratcheted up polarizing speeches to distract voters from larger issues, like unemployment and economic distress, that the opposition has focused on.

A polling officer applies indelible ink mark on the finger of a voter during the fifth round of multi-phase national elections in Ayodhya, India, Monday, May 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)

Narendra Modi’s BJP have lost their seat in Ayodhya, a deeply symbolic loss for the party after the prime minister opened a grand but controversial Hindu temple there in January.

The BJP candidate, Lallu Singh, lost to a candidate put up by the regional Samajwadi Party, Singh’s poll agent Kamlesh Srivastava told The Associated Press. Singh had held the seat since 2014.

Modi and his party have heavily campaigned on this temple dedicated to Lord Ram, built on the historic ruins of a mosque that was destroyed by Hindu mobs in 1992.

In this photograph released by Indian Government Press Information Bureau, Indian Prime Minister, arrives to lead the opening of a temple dedicated to Hinduism’s Lord Ram in Ayodhya, India, Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. (Press Information Bureau via AP)

Experts said the January opening, where Modi performed rituals inside the temple, marked the unofficial start of his campaign as they hoped it would resonate with his Hindu majority voters. Modi’s government had turned the event into a national occasion by organizing live screenings across the country and closing offices for half a day.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters celebrate in Delhi as vote counting is underway in India’s 2024 Lok Sabha election. (AP video: Manish Swarup)

Vinod Kumar Vidyarthi waits with sweets outside the BJP party office for the final election results (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Outside the BJP party office in New Delhi, supporter Vinod Kumar Vidyarthi sported a stole emblazoned with Modi’s likeness and toted a Modi-branded water bottle and sweets.

Despite the sweets, he had strong words regarding the election and the Hindu nationalist party he supports: “Our party will form the government. We had traitors within us. After we form the government, it will be a victory for Hindus and we will chase away all those who betrayed us.”

Polling officers Dekule Kapfo, Neke W Konyak, Neichutuonuo Yhome and Nukutholu Nienu prepare election-related paperwork on the eve of polling (AP Photo/Yirmiyan Arthur)

The Northern Angami constituency of Chedema village is Nagaland’s first to be solely managed by women polling officers. It was the idea of Kumar Ramnikant, the administrative head of Kohima district, in hopes of breaking job stereotypes.

“Women are more systematic. They take every sentence seriously, whereas men have an easy attitude,” said Zhoto Khamo, an officer who has supervised many elections.

▶ Read more about these polling officers and see more photos of the station.

The vote counting is still carrying on, but results have been called for 28 parliamentary seats out of 542 so far.

Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party has won 19 seats, according to India’s Election Commission, while its main opposition Congress party bagged 4 seats. The rest went to different regional parties.

Vote tallying is expected to take all day, but the count so far shows Modi’s party leading in 225 constituencies with the Congress ahead in 93.

G20 leaders pay their tributes at the Rajghat, a Mahatma Gandhi memorial, in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Kenny Holston, Pool)

The polls are seen as a test for India’s democratic and secular traditions, which critics say have seen a slow erosion under Narendra Modi’s 10-year rule. It also tests the limits of a populist leader who has risen to power by mixing religion with politics on a Hindu-first platform.

India’s clout on the global stage has risen under Modi. It’s seen by Western nations as a counterweight to Chinese aggression in the region even as New Delhi maintains its historic ties with Russia. And its large economy, one of the fastest growing in the world, has only boosted its rise as an emerging global power.

Earthmovers remove burnt debris the day after a fire broke out in an amusement park in Rajkot, India, Sunday, May 26, 2024 (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Early leads from India’s election commission projected Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was leading in 25 of 26 seats in the prime minister’s home state of Gujarat. But party leaders said they were not celebrating victory because of a recent fire at an amusement park in the state that killed 27 people.

A massive fire broke out last month at an amusement park in the state’s Rajkot city. Those killed included children.

“We had decided that there will be no celebratory victory or beating of drums. So we are not celebrating,” said C. R. Patil, a senior leader from Modi’s party.

India’s top opposition leader Rahul Gandhi, center, arrives at the Parliament in New Delhi, India, Monday, Aug.7, 2023 (AP Photo)

The 53-year-old is the scion of modern India’s most powerful political dynasty. He is the great-grandson of the country’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. His grandmother and father also held the top job and were each assassinated.

He is the star face for the opposition Congress party, which governed India for nearly 55 years after the country gained independence from the British in 1947. This time, he and his Congress party are leading the main opposition alliance, called INDIA, against Narendra Modi’s BJP.

While his family connections have helped retain some loyal voters, they have also worked against him — especially in the past two elections, where he suffered huge losses against Modi, who refers to Gandhi as an out-of-touch elite, coasting on his surname.

On the campaign trail, Gandhi has called Modi a dictator ruining India’s democracy. He has attacked Modi and the BJP over recent anti-Muslim rhetoric. And his party is hoping to benefit from economic distress, including high unemployment.

A Bharatiya Janta Party supporter prepares to offer prayers to the cut-out of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi outside their party headquarters in New Delhi, India, Tuesday, June 4, 2024 (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist party appears to be falling short of a majority in the early vote count. If these trends hold, it would be a stunning setback to the populist who has never relied on coalition partners to govern.

Modi’s party is still expected to form the government and return as the prime minister for a rare third consecutive term as his National Democratic Alliance was leading in about 290 constituencies — ahead of the 272 seats needed for a majority. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party alone was leading in 242 seats.

A coalition would, however, diminish Modi’s power as a strongman leader who won his party landslide victories in 2014 and 2019 elections.

In such a scenario, his BJP would likely “be heavily dependent on the goodwill of its allies, which makes them critical players who we can expect will extract their pound of flesh, both in terms of policymaking as well as government formation,” said Milan Vaishnav, director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

“This would be truly, you know, uncharted territory, both for Indians as well as for the prime minister,” Vaishnav said.

Since coming to power in 2014, Modi’s BJP has governed in a coalition government but has always held a majority on its own.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters celebrate in Guwahati as party seeks majority for third term in Assam. (AP video: Anupam Nath)

People cross the Brahmaputra river in a boat to reach a polling booth in Morigaon district, Assam, India, on April 26 (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

As hundreds of millions headed to the polls, they did so amid sweltering heat and unpredictable weather extremes worsened by human-caused climate change. That climate change has led to losses of livelihood, forced migration and increasingly difficult living conditions.

India’s top political parties made promises to address climate change and reduce emissions in their election manifestos — but little of that was evident on the campaign trail.

Here’s a look at what climate change has wrought in the country:

• Western and central India: extreme heat and longer droughts
• Coastal regions: stronger and more frequent cyclones
• Northeastern India: unpredictable and increased flooding
• Himalayas: melting glaciers and intense rain

▶ Read more about how climate change has affected the election.