ABSTRACT
The chapter looks at how India’s rich tradition of religious diversity informed the framing of the constitution. Setting aside centuries of discrimination due to caste, creed, and gender, the framers of India’s constitution incorporated into it a bill of rights securing to all citizens justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity as well as religious freedom for all. However, the steady rise of religious nationalism in India over the past three decades poses a threat to religious pluralism and has led to frequent violent attacks against religious minorities through an “institutionalized riot system.” The hostility and violence against religious minorities are exacerbated by weak institutions, lack of training among religious minorities in engaging the public sphere legally and politically, and, often, complicit state authorities. The author speaks from her personal experience in responding to these communal conflicts and suggests a roadmap to respond to the challenges by strengthening the rule of law and building fraternity.
