ABSTRACT
In India, religion plays a very important role in governing people’s clothing, food, marriage, and even occupations [Shah, 1998]. According to the 2001 census, the religious composition of India is Hindus, 80.5%; Muslims, 13.4%; Christians, 2.3%; Sikhs, 1.9%; Buddhists, 0.8%; Jains, 0.4%; and others, 0.7% [Census of India, 2001]. Th is diversity today refl ects the fact that historically India has always been a meeting point for a large number of cultures and traditions. India is a secular country that believes in “Unity in Diversity.” However, it is always diffi cult to keep unity among these diametrically different cultures. Many times religious intolerance has reached greater heights and caused signifi cant disharmony and confl ict among various religions in India. Of these confl icts, the relationship between Hindus and Muslims has been particularly salient, and it has a historical background [Hewstone and Voci, 2003].
