Understanding Liberalism and Secularism: Why They Matter for India's Future

 In recent years, social media platforms in India have seen a surge in right-wing voices, many of whom proudly label themselves as “ex-secular” or reject liberalism outright. These terms—liberalism and secularism—are often thrown around as buzzwords, vilified without a clear understanding of what they actually mean. For some, they’ve become synonymous with weakness, appeasement, or a betrayal of Indian values. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Liberalism and secularism are not just abstract ideals; they are foundational principles that have shaped India’s diverse, vibrant democracy and remain essential for its unity and progress.

This post is for those who’ve dismissed these ideas without fully grasping them—yes, even the self-proclaimed “andhbhakts” (blind devotees) who might scoff at the mention of these terms. Let’s unpack what liberalism and secularism really mean and why every Indian, regardless of political leanings, should embrace them.

What is Liberalism?

Liberalism, at its core, is about freedom and fairness. It’s the belief that every individual deserves the right to live their life as they see fit, as long as they’re not harming others. This includes freedom of speech, religion, thought, and the pursuit of happiness. Liberalism champions equality under the law, ensuring that no one is discriminated against based on their caste, creed, gender, or background.

In the Indian context, liberalism is woven into the fabric of our Constitution. The right to free speech (Article 19), the prohibition of discrimination (Article 15), and the protection of minority rights are all liberal principles. These ideas ensure that a Dalit woman in a village has the same legal protections as an urban elite, that a Muslim or Christian can practice their faith freely, and that dissenting voices—whether on social media or in parliament—aren’t silenced.

But liberalism isn’t just about individual rights; it’s about creating a society where diverse ideas coexist. It encourages debate, not dogma. It asks us to question authority, whether it’s the government, religious leaders, or even social media influencers. A liberal India is one where you can criticize the ruling party without fear, where traditions can be questioned without being labeled “anti-national,” and where progress isn’t stifled by blind allegiance to the past.

What is Secularism?

Secularism is often misunderstood in India, especially by those who equate it with “sickularism” or minority appeasement. This is a gross distortion. Secularism, in its simplest form, means that the state and its institutions remain neutral in matters of religion. It doesn’t mean rejecting religion or favoring one group over another; it means ensuring that no religion dominates public policy or law.

India’s brand of secularism is unique. Unlike some Western models that advocate a strict separation of religion and state, Indian secularism embraces pluralism. It respects all faiths equally, allowing them to flourish without giving any one religion preferential treatment. This is why the Constitution guarantees the right to practice and propagate religion (Article 25) while prohibiting the state from discriminating on religious grounds.

Think about it: India is home to Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and countless other communities. Without secularism, how could such a diverse nation function? Secularism is the glue that holds India together, ensuring that no group feels marginalized or oppressed because of their beliefs. It’s why a Hindu-majority country can have festivals like Eid and Christmas celebrated with equal fervor, why temples and mosques coexist, and why our laws don’t favor one community over another.

The Misconceptions and the “Ex-Secular” Trend

So why do so many social media handles proudly declare themselves “ex-secular” or rail against liberalism? Often, it stems from frustration with perceived hypocrisy. Some argue that secularism has been misused to pander to minorities while ignoring the majority’s sentiments. Others see liberalism as a Western import that dilutes Indian culture or enables “woke” agendas.

These frustrations are worth addressing, but rejecting liberalism and secularism entirely is like throwing out the Constitution because of a few bad politicians. The problem isn’t the principles themselves but their misapplication. For example, if certain policies have unfairly favored one group, the solution isn’t to abandon secularism but to demand true neutrality. If liberalism has been co-opted by elites who seem out of touch, the answer is to reclaim it for the common Indian, not discard it.

Many who call themselves “ex-secular” may not realize that the very freedoms they enjoy—posting fiery opinions on X, practicing their faith, or criticizing the government—are rooted in liberal and secular values. Without these principles, India risks sliding into a majoritarian state where only the loudest or most powerful voices prevail.

Why Every Indian Should Be Liberal and Secular

India’s strength lies in its diversity, but diversity can also be its Achilles’ heel if not managed with care. Liberalism and secularism are the tools that make this diversity a strength rather than a source of conflict. Here’s why every Indian, including those skeptical of these ideas, should embrace them:

1. They Protect Everyone’s Rights: Liberalism ensures that your voice, no matter how small, matters. Secularism guarantees that your faith, whether majority or minority, is respected. These principles are your shield against oppression, whether from the state or a mob.
2. They Foster Unity: In a country with thousands of languages, cultures, and religions, secularism is the only way to prevent division. By keeping religion out of governance, we focus on what unites us—our shared identity as Indians.
3. They Drive Progress: Liberalism encourages questioning outdated practices, from caste discrimination to gender inequality. It’s why India abolished sati and embraced universal suffrage. Without liberal values, we’d still be stuck in the 18th century.
4. They Reflect Indian Values: Far from being Western imports, liberalism and secularism echo India’s ancient ethos. The Rigveda’s “Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti” (truth is one, but the wise call it by many names) embodies secular pluralism. Ashoka’s edicts promoting tolerance and debate are quintessentially liberal.
5. They Ensure a Strong Democracy: A democracy thrives when all voices are heard and no group is favored. Liberalism and secularism prevent India from becoming a theocracy or an authoritarian state, preserving the freedom to choose our leaders and shape our future.

A Call to Rethink

To those who’ve embraced the “ex-secular” label or dismissed liberalism as “pseudo-intellectual nonsense,” I urge you to pause and reflect. These aren’t elite concepts; they’re the bedrock of the India you love. The next time you post on X, celebrate a festival, or vote in an election, remember that liberalism and secularism made those moments possible.

Being liberal doesn’t mean abandoning tradition or patriotism. Being secular doesn’t mean rejecting your faith. It means building an India where every citizen, from a Kashmiri Pandit to a Tamil Muslim, can thrive without fear. It means trusting in the idea that our differences make us stronger, not weaker.

Let’s move beyond divisive labels and half-baked narratives. India’s future depends on its ability to stay true to the principles that have held it together for over seven decades. Be proud to be liberal. Be proud to be secular. Be proud to be Indian.

India Has Always Been Conservative—It’s Time for Liberal Thinking

 India is a land of paradoxes—vibrant chaos meets ancient tradition, tech hubs rise next to cow-dotted villages, and Bollywood churns out romance while families arrange marriages. But beneath this dizzying mix lies a stubborn truth: Indian society has always been conservative. From Vedic times to the Instagram age, we’ve clung to hierarchy, tradition, and conformity like a security blanket. It’s not all bad—it’s given us resilience and identity—but it’s also held us back. As Indians, we desperately need a dose of liberal thinking. Let’s explore why, with a few examples that hit close to home.

The Vedic Blueprint: Rules Over Reason

Go back 3,000 years to the Vedic period. The Rigveda wasn’t just poetry—it was a rulebook. Society was sliced into the varna system: Brahmins at the top, Kshatriyas next, then Vaishyas, and Shudras at the bottom. Your birth decided your role—no questions asked. Women? Their job was to marry, serve, and bear sons, as the Manusmriti later codified with glee. Sure, there were hymns to nature and lofty ideas about cosmic order, but the system screamed control, not freedom.

Fast forward to the Upanishads around 600 BCE. You’d think the shift to philosophy—meditating on Atman and Brahman—would loosen things up. Nope. The Brahmins still ran the show, and the caste ladder stayed rigid. Even questioning the system was a privilege reserved for the elite. Conservatism wasn’t just a phase—it was baked in.

Medieval India: Devotion, Not Disruption

By the medieval period, Bhakti saints like Kabir and Mirabai sang of love for God over caste or creed. Sounds progressive, right? Not quite. Their rebellion was spiritual, not social. Kabir might’ve mocked priests, but he didn’t dismantle the patriarchy or untouchability. The Mughal era added purdah—veiling women—to the mix, doubling down on gender norms. Even the liberal Akbar, with his interfaith debates, kept power centralized and tradition intact. India’s heart stayed conservative, even when its poets dreamed big.

Colonial Pushback: Clinging to the Old

When the British rolled in, you’d expect a shake-up. Instead, we doubled down. The 1857 rebellion wasn’t about liberty—it was about restoring kings and customs the British threatened. Reformers like Raja Ram Mohan Roy fought sati (widow-burning) in the 1820s, but faced backlash from orthodox Hindus who saw it as sacred tradition. The caste system? The British codified it further with their census obsession, and we didn’t exactly riot for equality. We resisted change, not oppression.

Modern India: Same Story, New Packaging

Independence in 1947 could’ve been a reset. Instead, we wrote a progressive Constitution but lived conservatively. Take marriage—90% of Indians still marry within their caste, per a 2016 survey by the Lokniti program. Arranged marriages dominate, often with dowry quietly changing hands despite being illegal. The 2012 Delhi gang rape sparked outrage, but victim-blaming persists—remember the politician who said women shouldn’t be out at night? That’s 2020s India, not some ancient text.

LGBTQ rights? Section 377 lingered until 2018, and even post-decriminalization, same-sex marriage is a pipe dream—conservative lawmakers won’t touch it. Meanwhile, cow vigilantism thrives, with mobs lynching people over beef rumors (like the 2015 Dadri killing). Tradition trumps reason every time. And don’t get me started on honor killings—over 300 cases annually, per the National Crime Records Bureau, because love across caste or religion is still a death sentence in some villages.

The Bollywood Mirror

Even our pop culture reflects this. Bollywood churns out films like Kabir Singh (2019), where a toxic, controlling hero is romanticized, grossing ₹379 crore. Contrast that with Piku (2015), a rare gem about an independent woman, which made less than half that. We cheer conservative tropes—self-sacrificing wives, obedient sons—while sidelining stories that challenge norms. Art imitates life, and our life loves the status quo.

Why Liberal Thinking Matters

So, what’s the cost? Stagnation. Our conservatism fuels inequality—India ranks 129th on the 2023 Gender Gap Index, behind Bangladesh. It stifles innovation—our obsession with “safe” careers like engineering or medicine kills creative risk-taking. It breeds intolerance—think of the 2021 arrests of comedians like Munawar Faruqui for “hurting sentiments.” We’re a young nation (median age 28), but our mindset feels ancient.

Liberal thinking—openness to change, individual freedom, rational debate—could break this cycle. Imagine questioning caste without fear, letting women choose their paths (not just their husbands), or debating religion without riots. It’s not about copying the West—it’s about unlocking India’s potential. The Bhakti poets bent rules; Tagore dreamed of a free mind in “Gitanjali.” We’ve got the seeds—we just need to water them.

The Road Ahead

This isn’t a rant against tradition. Our heritage—yoga, Ayurveda, the Mahabharata—is worth celebrating. But clinging to every old idea like it’s gospel? That’s where we falter. Liberal thinking doesn’t mean abandoning our roots—it means pruning what’s rotten so the tree grows stronger.

Look at our neighbors. Sri Lanka legalized abortion in 1995; we’re still debating it. Nepal recognized a third gender in 2007; we’re lagging despite our hijra history. We’re not incapable of change—look at the Green Revolution or Aadhaar—but we need to apply that energy to society, not just systems.

So, India, let’s talk. Why do we clutch tradition so tight? What’s stopping us from asking hard questions? The comments are open—bring your chai and your thoughts.