Religion in India: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Different types of Religions in the modern nation of India}}

|label1 = [[Hinduism]]<!--This article is on Religion in India. There is no religion called "Hindu". "Hinduism" is religion's name and its follower is called "Hindu"-->

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|color3 = red

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|label6 = [[Jainism in India|Jainism]]

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|label7 = Unaffiliated

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|label8 = Others (incl. [[Zoroastrianism in India|Zoroastrianism]], [[Baha'i]], [[Bon]], [[History of the Jews in India|Judaism]], [[Sanamahism]], [[Kirat Mundhum]], [[Sarna sthal]], [[Animism]] and others)

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{{Culture of India}}

| caption1 = [[Pilgrims]] visiting the [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple treasure|one of the world's most valuable]] [[Travancore royal family|Religious Organization]] [[Temple]] The [[Padmanabhaswamy Temple]] in [[Kerala]].<ref>https://www.indiatvnews.com/fyi/padmanabhaswamy-temple-treasure-vaults-chambers-gold-silver-travancore-royal-family-kerala-634028</ref>

| image2 = India - Delhi islamic library - 5067.jpg

| caption2 = Muslim men in an Islamic library in [[Delhi]]

'''Religion in India''' is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The preamble of the [[Constitution of India|Indian constitution]] states that India is a [[secular state]], although there were pleas going on [[Supreme court of India]] to remove the words [[secular]] and [[socialist]] from the [[Preamble to the Constitution of India]].<ref>https://m.timesofindia.com/india/plea-in-sc-to-remove-socialist-and-secular-words-from-constitutions-preamble/articleshow/77224858.cms</ref><ref>https://www.firstpost.com/india/plea-in-sc-seeks-to-remove-words-socialist-secular-from-constitutions-preamble-8650391.html</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Preamble To The Indian Constitution|url=http://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-750-preamble-to-the-indian-constitution.html|access-date=2021-02-23|website=www.legalserviceindia.com}}</ref>{{efn| Secular and Socialist words were added by 42nd Amendment to the Constitution of India, in 1976 by Indira Gandhi (Congress government)}} The [[Indian subcontinent]] is the birthplace of four of the [[Major religious groups|world's major religions]]: namely [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], and [[Sikhism]]—collectively known as [[Indian religions]] that believe [[Moksha]] is the most supreme state of the ''[[Atman (disambiguation)#Religion|Ātman]]'' (soul).<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Olivelle |first1=Patrick |title=Moksha {{!}} Indian religion |journal=Encyclopedia Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/moksha-Indian-religion |access-date=6 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> According to the 2011 census, 79.8% of the [[Demographics of India|population of India]] practices [[Hinduism in India|Hinduism]], 14.2% adheres to [[Islam]], 2.3% adheres to [[Christianity]], 1.72% adheres to [[Sikhism]], 0.7% adheres to [[Buddhism]], and 0.37% adheres to [[Jainism]]. [[Zoroastrianism]], [[Bon|Yungdrung Bon]], the [[Baháʼí Faith]], [[Sanamahism]], and [[Judaism]] also have a history in India, and each has at least several thousand adherents in India.<ref name="Religion in India">{{cite web |title=Religion in India {{!}} 654 easy search |url=http://654.pl/lp/wiki/view_html.php?sq=JAVA&lang=en&q=Religion_in_India |website=654.pl |access-date=6 January 2021}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

India has given refuge to followers of persecuted religions across its history. In the post-classical period, sanctuary was granted to [[Hebrews|Hebrew]] [[Jews]] who fled captivity in [[Babylonia]], [[Maronites|Aramaic Christians]] who fled the [[Muslim conquest of the Levant|Islamic invasion of Syria]] in the 7th century, and [[Persians|Persian]] [[Zoroastrians]] who [[Persecution of Zoroastrians|fled persecution]] in [[Persia]] in the 9th century following the [[Muslim conquest of Persia]]. In the 20th to 21st centuries, sanctuary was granted to Russian, Persian and Afghani Jews,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Daiya|first=Kavita|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P7a-FuiMcTYC&pg=PA129|title=Violent Belongings: Partition, Gender, and National Culture in Postcolonial India|date=2011-02-04|publisher=Temple University Press|isbn=978-1-59213-744-2|pages=129|language=en}}</ref> Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Hindus, and Ahmadiyyas who fled [[Human rights in Pakistan#Intolerance against Hindus and other minorities|persecution in Pakistan]]. As a result, India has the largest population of people adhering to Zoroastrianism (i.e. [[Parsi]]s or [[Irani (India)|Iranis]]) in the world.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rivetna|first=Roshan|date=2012|title=The Zoroastrian World A 2012 Demographic Picture|url=http://fezana.org/downloads/ZoroastrianWorldPopTable_FEZANA_Journal_Fall_2013.pdf|journal=FEZANA Journal|volume=Fall 2013}}</ref>

Throughout India's history, [[religion]] has been an important part of the country's culture. Religious diversity and [[Religious toleration|religious tolerance]] are both established in the country by the [[Law of India|law]] and [[Tradition|custom]]; the [[Constitution of India]] has declared the right to [[freedom of religion]] to be a [[Fundamental Rights in India|fundamental right]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Basu|first=Durga Das|author-link=Durga Das Basu|title=Introduction to the Constitution of India|edition=21|year=2013|publisher=LexisNexis|isbn=978-81-803-8918-4|page=124}}</ref>

Today, India is home to around 94%<ref>Samirah Majumdar, [https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/29/5-facts-about-religion-in-india/ "5 Facts About Religion in India"], ''Pew Research Center'', June 29, 2018</ref> of the global population of [[Hindus]]. Most Hindu shrines and temples are located in India, as are the birthplaces of most Hindu saints. [[Prayagraj]] hosts the world's largest religious pilgrimage, [[Prayag Kumbh Mela]], where Hindus from across the world come together to bathe in the confluence of three sacred rivers of India: the [[Ganges|Ganga]], the [[Yamuna]], and the [[Saraswati River|Saraswati]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Maria |title=Kumbh Mela, the world's largest religious festival, begins in India |url=https://qz.com/india/1522591/kumbh-mela-the-giant-hindu-festival-begins-in-indias-prayagraj/ |access-date=5 January 2021 |work=Quartz India |language=en}}</ref> The Indian diaspora in the West has popularized many aspects of [[Hindu philosophy]] such as [[yoga]], [[meditation]], [[Ayurvedic medicine]], [[divination]], [[karma]], and [[reincarnation]].<ref>P. 225 ''Essential Hinduism'' By Steven Rosen</ref> The influence of Indian religions has been significant all over the world. Several Hindu-based organizations, such as the [[ISKCON|International Society for Krishna

Consciousness]], the [[Ramakrishna Mission]], the [[Brahma Kumari]]s, the [[Ananda Marga]], and others have spread Hindu spiritual beliefs and practices. The Indian subcontinent also contains the largest population of Muslims in the world, with about one-third of all Muslims being from [[Islam in South Asia|South Asia]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kaubzRxh-U0C&q=what+percent+of+muslims+live+in+south+asia&pg=PA193|title=South Asian Religions: Tradition and Today|last1=Pechilis|first1=Karen|last2=Raj|first2=SelvJanuary 2013|year=2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9780415448512|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pewforum.org/2015/04/02/muslims/pf_15-04-02_projectionstables74/|title=10 Countries With the Largest Muslim Populations, 2010 and 2050|date=2 April 2015|website=Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project|access-date=7 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thediplomat.com/2016/01/how-south-asia-will-save-global-islam/|title=How South Asia Will Save Global Islam|last=Diplomat|first=Akhilesh Pillalamarri, The|newspaper=The Diplomat|access-date=7 February 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> By 2050, the Muslim population of India is projected to grow to 311 million and surpass [[Indonesia]] to become the world's largest Muslim population, although India will retain a Hindu majority (about 77%).<ref name="pew">{{cite web|url=http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2018/06/29/5-facts-about-religion-in-india/|title=5 facts about religion in India|website=Pew Research Center|date=June 29, 2018|access-date=February 15, 2019}}</ref> India is also the cradle of [[Ahmadiyya]] [[Islam]]. The shrines of some of the most famous saints of [[Sufism]], like [[Moinuddin Chishti]] and [[Nizamuddin Auliya]], are found in India, and attract visitors from all over the world.<ref>Pg 80,81 The sacred and the feminine: imagination and sexual difference By Griselda Pollock, Victoria Turvey Sauron</ref>

Before the [[Mughal Empire]] and [[Delhi Sultanate]], as much as 90% of the population may have fallen under [[Hindu denominations|the Hindu umbrella]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hinduism - Hinduism under Islam (11th–19th century)|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>{{failed verification|date=September 2020}}{{dubious|date=September 2020}} although demographic information on pre-modern polities is scarce. The elites of those empires came from historically Muslim ethnicities, and many sought to [[Syncretism|harmonize]] their personal religion with the Hinduism of their subjects.<ref name="BritannicaSynth">{{Cite web|title=Hinduism - Hinduism under Islam (11th–19th century)|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|quote=Much has been said about the synthesis of Hinduism and Islam in the period of Muslim dominance. Numerous Muslim social customs were adopted, and Persian and Arabic words entered the vocabularies of Indian languages. The teachings of such men as Basava and Kabir may have been influenced by Muslim observances and social customs. A still greater synthesis took place among the Muslims, most of whom were Indian by blood.}}</ref> Nevertheless, a backlash during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries reestablished [[Confessionalism (politics)|confessional boundaries]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-02-11|title=The Delhi Sultanate's Treatment of Hindus|url=https://www.e-ir.info/2014/02/11/the-delhi-sultanates-treatment-of-hindus/|access-date=2020-08-29|website=E-International Relations|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hinduism - Hinduism under Islam (11th–19th century)|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hinduism|access-date=2020-08-29|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|quote=Orthodox Muslim theologians complained about the growth of heresy, however, and the emperor Aurangzeb (reigned 1658–1707) did all in his power to discourage it. Popular Muslim preachers throughout the 18th and 19th centuries worked to restore orthodoxy. Thus, syncretic tendencies were somewhat reduced before the imposition of British power in the mid-18th century. Furthermore, British rule emphasized the distinctions between Hindu and Muslim and did not encourage efforts to harmonize the two religions.}}</ref> and genealogical evidence suggests that many modern-day Muslims have some Hindu ancestors.<ref name="BritannicaSynth" /><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Eaaswarkhanth|first1=Muthukrishnan|last2=Dubey|first2=Bhawna|last3=Meganathan|first3=Poorlin Ramakodi|last4=Ravesh|first4=Zeinab|last5=Khan|first5=Faizan Ahmed|last6=Singh|first6=Lalji|last7=Thangaraj|first7=Kumarasamy|last8=Haque|first8=Ikramul|date=2009-05-08|title=Diverse genetic origin of Indian Muslims: evidence from autosomal STR loci|url=https://rdcu.be/b6yCo|journal=Journal of Human Genetics|language=en|volume=54|issue=6|pages=340–348|doi=10.1038/jhg.2009.38|pmid=19424286|s2cid=153224|issn=1434-5161|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Terreros|first1=Maria C.|last2=Rowold|first2=Diane|last3=Luis|first3=Javier R.|last4=Khan|first4=Faisal|last5=Agrawal|first5=Suraksha|last6=Herrera|first6=Rene J.|date=July 2007|title=North Indian Muslims: Enclaves of foreign DNA or Hindu converts?|journal=American Journal of Physical Anthropology|language=en|volume=133|issue=3|pages=1004–1012|doi=10.1002/ajpa.20600|pmid=17427927}}</ref>

===Evolution of Hinduism in India===

Hinduism, known endonymically as ''Sanatan Dharm'', is often regarded as the oldest religion in the world,<ref>P. 484 ''Merriam-Webster's Encyclopedia of World Religions'' By Wendy Doniger, M. Webster, Merriam-Webster, Inc</ref> with roots tracing back to prehistoric times, over 5,000 years ago.<ref>P. 169 ''The Encyclopedia of Religion'' By Mircea Eliade, Charles J. Adams</ref> Hinduism spread through [[Hinduism in Southeast Asia|parts of Southeastern Asia]], China, and Afghanistan. Hindus worship a single god with different forms.<ref>P. 22 ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Geography'' By Joseph Gonzalez, Michael D Smith, Thomas E. Sherer</ref>

Hinduism was practised more as the culture of the land, and dominated Indian society until the [[Colonial India|colonial era]]. Hinduism as a culture had always been traditionally practised where spirituality and science are embraced in conjunction. And in Hinduism, Sanatan Dharm is considered the grandmother of all philosophies. Post western influence, Hinduism, over years has been type-cast as a religion. Hinduism's origins include the cultural elements of the Indus Valley Civilisation along with other Indian civilisations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hinduism |url=http://web.csulb.edu/~cwallis/100/worldreligions/hinduism.html |website=web.csulb.edu |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> The oldest surviving text of Hinduism is the [[Rigveda]], produced during the [[Vedic period]] and dating to 1700–1100 BCE.{{cref|γ}}<ref name="Oberlies_1998_155">{{harvnb|Oberlies|1998|p=155}}.</ref> During the Epic and [[Purana|Puranic]] periods, the earliest versions of the epic poems, in their current form including ''[[Ramayana]]'' and ''[[Mahabharata]]'' were written roughly from 500–100 BCE,<ref>{{harvnb|Goldman|2007|p=23}}.</ref> although these were orally transmitted through families for centuries prior to this period.<ref name="Rine28">{{harvnb|Rinehart|2004|p=28}}.</ref>

{{Main|Jainism in India|Buddhism in India}}{{Cleanup rewrite|date=March 2020}}{{Multiple image

| caption1 = A statue of [[Mahavira]], believed by Jains to be the 24th Tirthankara, is considered the founder of Jainism

The historical roots of Jainism in India have been traced to the 9th century BCE with the rise of [[Parshvanatha]], the 23th Jain [[Tirthankara]], and his non-violence philosophy,{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=30}}{{sfn|Zimmer|1953|p=182-183}} and to [[Mahavira]] (599–527 BCE), the 24th Jain Tirthankara. Jainism traces its roots further back to the first Tirthankara, [[Rishabhanatha]]. Mahavira stressed five vows, including ''[[ahimsa]]'' (non-violence) and ''[[asteya]]'' (non-stealing).

[[Gautama Buddha]], who founded Buddhism, was born to the [[Shakya]] clan just before [[Magadha]] (which lasted from 546–324 BCE) rose to power.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} His family was native to the plains of [[Lumbini]], in what is now southern [[Nepal]]. [[Buddhism in India|Indian Buddhism]] peaked during the reign of [[Ashoka the Great]] of the [[Mauryan Empire]], who patronised Buddhism following his conversion and unified the Indian subcontinent in the 3rd century BCE.<ref name="Ancient History Encyclopedia">{{cite journal |last1=Mark |first1=Joshua J. |title=Ashoka the Great |journal=[[World History Encyclopedia]] |date=24 June 2020 |url=https://www.worldhistory.org/Ashoka_the_Great/ |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> He sent missionaries abroad, allowing Buddhism to spread across Asia.<ref name="Heehs_2002_106">{{harvnb|Heehs|2002|p=106}}.</ref> [[Buddhism in India|Indian Buddhism]] declined following the loss of royal patronage offered by the [[Kushan Empire]] and such kingdoms as [[Magadha]] and [[Kosala]].

==== Bhakti Movement ====

Kabir sermonized a monotheism that appealed clearly to the poor and convinced them of their access to god with no liaison. He denied both Hinduism and Islam, as well as meaningless religious rituals, and condemned double standards.<ref name="Kabir in His Time, And Ours">{{cite web |title=Kabir in His Time, And Ours |url=https://thewire.in/religion/kabir-in-his-times-and-ours |website=The Wire |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> This infuriated the orthodox aristocracy. No one could frighten Kabir who was bold enough to stand up for himself and his beliefs.<ref name="Venkatesh"/>

The Kabir Panth considers Kabir as its principal guru or even as a divinity—truth incarnate. Kabir’s influence is testimony to his massive authority, even for those whose beliefs and practices he condemned so unsparingly. For Sikhs he is a forerunner and converser of Nanak, the originating Sikh Guru (spiritual guide). Muslims place him in Sufi (mystical) lineages, and for Hindus he becomes a Vaishnavite with universalist leanings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kabir {{!}} Indian mystic and poet|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kabir-Indian-mystic-and-poet|access-date=2020-07-23|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>

[[Guru Nanak Dev Ji]] (1469–1539) was the founder of [[Sikhism]], known endonymically as ''Sikh Dharm''.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} The [[Guru Granth Sahib]] was first compiled by the fifth Sikh guru, [[Guru Arjan Dev]], from the writings of the first five Sikh gurus and others saints who preached the concept of universal brotherhood, including those of the Hindu and Muslim faith. Before the death of [[Guru Gobind Singh]], the [[Guru Granth Sahib]] was declared the eternal guru.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Last Guru – the Guru Granth Sahib - Waheguru (God) and authority - Edexcel - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - Edexcel |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/znnmtv4/revision/6#:~:text=The%20Guru%20Granth%20Sahib%20is,and%20Hindu%20and%20Muslim%20writers.&text=Before%20Guru%20Gobind%20Singh%20died,would%20be%20the%20Eternal%20Guru%20. |website=BBC Bitesize |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> [[Sikhism]] recognises all humans as equal before [[Waheguru]],<ref>[[Akal Ustat]], Verse 85-15-1</ref> regardless of colour, caste, or lineage.<ref>[[Akal Ustat]], verse 3 to 4</ref> Sikhism [[Prohibitions in Sikhism|strongly rejects]] the beliefs of [[fasting]] ([[vrata]]), [[List of superstitions in India|superstitions]], [[Idolatry|idol worship]],<ref name="Star 2015">{{cite web | last=Star | first=Brian Leaf Rockford Register | title=Sikhs condemn fasting, visiting places of pilgrimage, superstitions, worship of the dead, idol worship and other blind rituals. | website=Rockford Register Star | date=15 August 2015 | url=http://www.rrstar.com/article/20150815/NEWS/150819655 | access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="Service 2015">{{cite web |  title=Petition in HC seeks ban on 'Nanak Shah Fakir' | website=The Tribune (India) | date=7 September 2015 | url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/petition-in-hc-seeks-ban-on-nanak-shah-fakir/65122.html | access-date=2 September 2016}}</ref> and [[circumcision]].<ref name="Google Books 2015">{{cite web | title=Sikhism Origin and Development | website=Google Books | date=28 August 2015 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=osnkLKPMWykC | access-date=7 September 2015| last1=Dhillon | first1=Dalbir Singh }}</ref><ref name="Glausiusz 2004">{{cite web | last=Glausiusz | first=Josie | title=miscellaneous | website=Circumcision | date=14 March 2004 | url=http://www.circumstitions.com/Misc.html#sikhs | access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref> The Sikhs believe in one eternal god and follow the teachings of the [[10 gurus]], the [[5 K's of Sikhism]], the hukums of [[Guru Gobind Singh]], [[Sikh Rehat Maryada]], and [[Nitnem]]. It is a [[patit]] i.e kurahit for Sikhs to take any form of [[intoxicants]] which includes [[Drugs]] and [[Alcohol]].

Jews first arrived as traders from [[Judea]] in the city of [[Kochi]], Kerala, in 562 BCE.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=qhKGPprbQaYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9652781797&hl=en&sa=X&ei=UNa1VM-AFc_kuQSLiYLIAQ&ved=0CB8Q6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=two%20millennia&f=false ''The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities''] by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 27. {{ISBN|965-278-179-7}}.</ref> More Jews came as exiles from Israel in the year 70 CE, after the destruction of the [[Second Temple]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Schreiber |first=Mordecai |title=The Shengold Jewish Encyclopedia |year=2003 |publisher=Schreiber Publishing |location=Rockville, MD |isbn=1887563776 |page=125}}</ref>

Christianity was introduced to India by [[Thomas the Apostle]], who visited [[Muziris]] in Kerala in 52 CE and proselytized natives at large, who are known as [[Saint Thomas Christians]] (also known as Syrian Christians or Nasrani) today.<ref name="Erwin Fahlbusch">[https://books.google.com/books?id=lZUBZlth2qgC&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9780802824172&hl=en&sa=X&ei=i5ncVJiVJ4u4uATrlIGoAg&ved=0CB8Q6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=Muziris&f=false ''The Encyclopedia of Christianity, Volume 5''] by Erwin Fahlbusch. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing - 2008. p. 285. {{ISBN|978-0-8028-2417-2}}.</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: St. Thomas Christians |website=www.newadvent.org |url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14678a.htm#X}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Neill|first=Stephen|author-link=Stephen Neill|title=A History of Christianity in India: 1707-1858|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xi-tvrYbYxMC|year=2002|publisher=Cambridge University Press|isbn=978-0-521-89332-9|page=237}}</ref><ref name="Orpa Slapak">[https://books.google.com/books?id=qhKGPprbQaYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=isbn:9652781797&hl=en&sa=X&ei=i5q6VKj1F4yJuASKnIKADQ&ved=0CB8Q6wEwAA#v=onepage&q=St.%20Thomas&f=false ''The Jews of India: A Story of Three Communities''] by Orpa Slapak. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem. 2003. p. 27. {{ISBN|965-278-179-7}}.</ref><ref name="GPress">Medlycott, A E. 1905 "India and the Apostle Thomas"; Gorgias Press LLC; {{ISBN|1-59333-180-0}}.</ref> First church in India [[St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Church, Palayoor]] located in Thrissur district of Kerala in 52 AD.<ref>{{cite web |title=Palayur {{!}} Archdiocese of Trichur |url=https://www.trichurarchdiocese.org/sacellum/palayur |website=www.trichurarchdiocese.org |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> Although the exact origins of Christianity in India remain unclear, there is a general scholarly consensus that Christianity was rooted in India by the 6th century AD, including some communities who used [[Syriac language|Syriac]] liturgically, and it is a possibility that the religion's existence in India extends to as far back as the 1st century.<ref>See Jones, Arun, "[https://books.google.com/books?id=mjIVn4IX69oC&pg=PA93#v=onepage&q&f=false Christianity in South Asia]" in Farhadian (ed.), ''Introducing World Christianity'' (Blackwell Publishing, 2012), p. 93. For a more thorough treatment of the topic which affirms Jones' claims, and for the use of Syriac, see Frykenberg, Robert Eric, ''Christianity in India: From Beginnings to the Present'' (Oxford University Press, 2008).  See also the earlier Neill, Stephen, ''A History of Christianity in India'' (Cambridge University Press, 1984), pp. 48–49.  Neill takes it as certain that Christianity was established in India by the 6th century and also affirms the possibility of the [[Saint Thomas Christians|St. Thomas tradition]] being true.</ref><ref name="Lbrown">Leslie Brown, (1956) The Indian Christians of St. Thomas. An Account of the Ancient Syrian Church of Malabar, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1956, 1982 (repr.)</ref><ref>Origin of Christianity in India – A Historiographical Critique by Dr. Benedict Vadakkekara. (2007). {{ISBN|81-7495-258-6}}.</ref> Christianity in India has different denominations like [[Catholic Church in India|Roman Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]], [[Oriental Orthodox]], and others. However, the story of St. Thomas coming to India in 52 CE has been contradicted by a recorded history. There was a Thomas who came, but he was a Syrian merchant, [[Thomas of Cana]], and this happened around 500 or 600 CE. In-depth historical research on this topic can be found in the book<ref name="The Myth of Saint Thomas and the Mylapore Shiva Temple">{{cite book |author=Ishwar Sharan |year=2018 |title=The Myth of Saint Thomas and the Mylapore Shiva Temple |publisher=Voice of India Publications |location=New Delhi }}</ref> by a Canadian author and a former Christian monk Ishwar Sharan and research conducted and published by [[Madras Courier]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://madrascourier.com/insight/how-christianity-arrived-in-kerala-through-syrian-immigrants/|title=How christianity arrived in kerala through syrian immigrants|website=www.madrascourier.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-25}}</ref>

Islam is the second largest religion in India, with 14.2% of the country's population or roughly 172 million people identifying as adherents of Islam ([[2011 Census of India|2011 census]]).<ref name="censusIndia2011">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/census-2011-data-on-population-by-religious-communities/article7579161.ece|title=Hindus 79.8%, Muslims 14.2% of population: census data}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/indias-population-121-09-crores-hindus-79-8-pc-muslims-14-2-pc-census/|title=Census 2011: Muslims record decadal growth of 24.6 pc, Hindus 16.8 pc|date=24 January 2015|publisher=Indian Express|author=Abantika Ghosh, Vijaita Singh|work=Indian Express|access-date=2015-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livemint.com/Home-Page/hxXBcoatDPlDVgcjecQDfJ/Muslim-politics-At-a-crossroads.html|title=Muslim politics:At a crossroads|website=livemint.com|publisher=Livemint|access-date=28 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/over-180-million-muslims-in-india-but-they-are-not-part-of-global-terror-groups-govt/|title=Over 180 million Muslims in India but they are not part of global terror groups: Govt|date=24 February 2015|publisher=Indian Express|author=Vijaita Singh|work=Indian Express|access-date=2015-02-24}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muslim-representation-on-decline/articleshow/48737293.cms|title=Muslim representation on decline|date=31 August 2015|newspaper=The Times of India|access-date=2015-08-31}}</ref><ref name="muslimstatesinIndia2011">{{cite news|url=http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/nation/the-untold-census-story|title=The Untold Census Story|date=15 March 2014|work=OpenMagazine-PR Ramesh}}</ref> It makes India the country with the largest Muslim population outside [[Islam by country|Muslim-majority]] countries.<ref>{{cite web |last1=nationsonline.org |first1=klaus kästle- |title=Islamic world, countries with a cultural Islamic population - Nations Online Project |url=https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/muslim-countries.htm |website=www.nationsonline.org |access-date=7 January 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref>

Though Islam came to India in the early 7th century with the advent of Arab traders in [[Malabar Coast|Malabar]] coast, Kerala, it started to become a major religion during the Muslim rule in the Indian subcontinent.<ref name="Islam and Muslims in India">{{cite journal |last1=Zafar |first1=Abu |title=Islam and Muslims in India-Science and Technology Division,Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi-MOST |website=www.most.gov.tw |url=https://www.most.gov.tw/india/en/detail?article_uid=2aa33c74-76a5-4801-9384-c50db054d8dd&menu_id=bef3dee0-c8c5-42c0-8aba-acbe2bf91793&content_type=P&view_mode=gridView |access-date=7 January 2021 |language=en}}</ref> The [[Cheraman Juma Mosque]] is the first mosque in India located in Methala, Kodungallur Taluk, Thrissur District in Kerala.<ref name="Cheraman Juma Masjid">{{cite web |title=Cheraman Juma Masjid - the first mosque in India {{!}} Religious sites at Muziris Heritage Area, Ernakulam |url=https://www.muzirisheritage.org/cheraman-juma-masjid.php |website=www.muzirisheritage.org |publisher=Cheraman Juma Masjid |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> A legend claims that it was built in 629 AD, which makes it the oldest mosque in the Indian subcontinent which is still in use.<ref name="Cheraman Juma Masjid"/> It was built by Malik Deenar, Persian companion of the Islamic Prophet [[Muhammad]], on the orders of the successor of Cheraman Perumal, the Chera King of modern-day Kerala.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nambiar |first1=Sridevi |title=The Story Behind India's Oldest Mosque |url=https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/the-story-behind-indias-oldest-mosque/ |website=Culture Trip |access-date=7 January 2021}}</ref> Islam's spread in India mostly took place under the [[Delhi Sultanate]] (1206–1526) and the [[Mughal Empire]] (1526–1858), greatly aided by the mystic [[Sufism|Sufi]] tradition.<ref>{{cite web |author=chandru |url=http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers10%5Cpaper924.html |title=SUFISM IN INDIA: Its origin, history and politics |publisher=Southasiaanalysis.org |access-date=2011-02-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218075000/http://southasiaanalysis.org/papers10/paper924.html |archive-date=18 December 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

{{See also|Hinduism in India|Islam in India|Christianity in India|History of Buddhism in India|Sikhism in India|Jainism in India|History of the Jews in India|Parsi people|Baháʼí Faith in India|Tribal religions in India|Irreligion in India}}

|+ ''India's Religious diversity as of the 2011 census''<ref name="censusindia.gov.in">https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS</ref>

; Population trends for major religious groups in India (1951–2011)

 

|- style="text-align: center;"

! Population <br />% '''1961'''

! Population <br />% '''2011'''<ref name="census_2011_religion">{{cite web |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |title=Population by religious community - 2011 |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner |work=[[2011 Census of India]] |access-date=25 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825155850/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW00C-01%20MDDS.XLS |archive-date=25 August 2015}} Percentages are calculated from population figures for individual religions in this word document by dividing them from total population of India.</ref>

|}

! Sex ratio (2011)<br />(child)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31808&articlexml=Sex-ratio-dips-Jains-Sikhs-buck-trend-31122015001049|title=The Times Group|access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref>

! [[Labour force|Work participation]] (2011)<br />(%)<ref name="dnaindia.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Only-33-of-Muslims-work-lowest-among-all-religions/articleshow/50433358.cms|title=Only 33% of Muslims work, lowest among all religions - Times of India|access-date=20 July 2016}}</ref>

|caption = Religion in India (1947)<ref>https://scholar.princeton.edu › ...PDF

THE PARTITION OF INDIA - Princeton University</ref><ref>https://www.timesnownews.com/columns/article/india-s-population-explosion-time-to-rethink-hum-do-humare-do/473407</ref>

[[India]] just after independence and partition in 1947 had over 330 million inhabitants.<ref name="freepressjournal.in">https://www.freepressjournal.in/analysis/nantoo-banerjee-india-2022-population-and-economy-off-the-track</ref> According to statistics, just after the partition of the nation, [[India]] had an overwhelming [[Hindu]] majority of 85% with a significant minority of 9.1% of [[Muslim]]s scattered throughout the nation, and other religious minorities such as the followers of [[Christian]], [[Sikh]], [[Buddhist]], [[Jain]], and [[animist]] religions, together constituting 5.9% of the country's population.<ref name="sciencespo.fr">https://www.sciencespo.fr/mass-violence-war-massacre-resistance/fr/document/hindu-muslim-communal-riots-india-i-1947-1986.html</ref><ref name="bbc.co.uk">http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/modern/partition1947_01.shtml</ref>

|+ ''India Religious diversity as per (1947)''<ref>https://www.jstor.org › stable

RELIGIOUS PATTERN OF INDIA WITH A FACTORAL ... - JSTOR</ref><ref name="freepressjournal.in"/><ref name="sciencespo.fr"/><ref name="bbc.co.uk"/>

[[India]] had a population of 330 million in 1947.<ref>http://gidr.ac.in › pdf › pravi...PDF India's Population: Past, Present and Future - Gujarat Institute of ...</ref>

[[File:Aum Om navy blue circle coral.svg|thumb|[[Om|AUM]], a stylised letter of [[Devanagari]] script, used as a religious symbol in Hinduism]]

===Buddhism===

{{Main|Buddhism in India}}

[[File:Prayer flag above Tanze Gompa.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Prayer flags above the Buddhist monastery (''[[gompa]]'') of Tanze, in the Kurgiakh Valley. The wind is believed to propagate prayers printed on the flags.]]

[[Buddhism]] is an Indian, [[transtheism|transtheistic]] religion and philosophy. Around 8.5 million Buddhists live in India, about 0.7% of the total population.<ref name="Religion">{{cite web |title=Religion |url=https://censusindia.gov.in/Census_And_You/religion.aspx |website=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |access-date=6 January 2021}}</ref> Buddhism as a religion is practised mainly in the foothills of the [[Himalayas]] and is a significant religion in [[Sikkim]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Ladakh]], [[Darjeeling]] in [[West Bengal]], and the Lahaul and [[Spiti]] districts of [[Himachal Pradesh]]. Besides, a significant number of Buddhists reside in [[Maharashtra]]. They are the Buddhists or [[Navayana]] Buddhists who, under the influence of [[B. R. Ambedkar]] embraced Buddhism in order to escape the casteist practices within Hinduism. Ambedkar is a crucial figure, along with [[Anagarika Dharmapala]] of [[Sri Lanka]] and [[Kripasaran]] Mahasthavira of [[Chittagong]] behind the revival of Buddhism in India in the 19th and 20th centuries. The escape of the 14th [[Dalai Lama]], [[Tenzing Gyatso]] to India fleeing Chinese occupation of [[Tibet]] in 1959 and the setting up of the [[Tibetan Government in Exile]] at [[Dharamshala]] in [[Mcleodganj]] in [[Himachal Pradesh]] has also accelerated the resurgence of Buddhism in India. The effective religion in [[Sikkim]], which joined the Indian Union in 1975 (making it India's 22nd state) remains [[Vajrayana Buddhism]], and [[Padmasambhava]] or Guru Ugyen is a revered presence there.

{{Main|Jainism in India}}

[[Image:Jain_Mandir.jpg|thumb|A [[Jain temple]] of India]]

[[Jainism]] is a non-theistic Indian religion and philosophical system originating in [[Iron Age India]]. Jains compose 0.4% (around 4.45 million) of India's population, and are concentrated in the states of [[Gujarat]], [[Karnataka]], [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]], and [[Rajasthan]].<ref name=web123/>

[[File:Sikh people.jpg|thumb|A group of [[Sikhism in India|Indian Sikhs]] cheering for [[Indian cricket team]] at abroad]]

[[Sikhism]] began in fifteenth-century [[Punjab]] with the teachings of [[Guru Nanak Dev|Guru Nanak]] and nine successive Sikh [[Sikh Gurus|gurus]]. As of 2011, there were 20.8 million [[Sikhism in India|Sikhs in India]]. [[Punjab, India|Punjab]] is the spiritual home of Sikhs, and is the only state in India where Sikhs form a majority. There are also significant populations of Sikhs in neighboring [[Chandigarh]], [[Himachal Pradesh]], [[Delhi]], and [[Haryana]]. These areas were historically a part of [[East Punjab|Greater Punjab]]. However, there is no data for specific number of Nanak followers ([[Nanakpanthi]]s) in India, but they are believed to be in crores somewhere around 14 crores.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/navjot-singh-sidhu-misquotes-sikh-population-as-14-crores-in-his-speech-at-kartarpurs-inauguration |title= Navjot Singh Siddhu claims that 14 crore Nanakpanthi Sikhs live in India|website=Freepressjournal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-are-nanak-naam-lewa-and-why-kartarpur-corridor-cant-be-limited-to-sikhs-6100351/lite/|title= According to rough estimates report, there are 12-15 crore Nanak Naam Lewas (Nanakpanthi) across the world |website=News Indian Express}}</ref><ref>https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/pak-invites-sikh-community-to-invest-in-commercial-projects-along-nankana-kartarpur-corridor-119011300615_1.html</ref> Karnail Singh Panjoli, member, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, says that there are several communities within the term ‘Nanakpanthis’ too. “There are groups like Sikhligarh, Vanjaarey, Nirmaley, Lubaney, Johri, Satnamiye, Udaasiyas etc who call themselves [[Nanakpanthi]]s. They follow guru Nanak and Sri Guru Granth Sahib.<ref>{{cite web | last=Goyal | first=Divya | title=Explained: Who are Nanak Naam Lewa, and why Kartarpur Corridor can't be limited to Sikhs | website=The Indian Express | date=2019-11-10 | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-who-are-nanak-naam-lewa-and-why-kartarpur-corridor-cant-be-limited-to-sikhs-6100351/ | access-date=2020-11-30}}</ref><ref>https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/navjot-singh-sidhu-misquotes-sikh-population-as-14-crores-in-his-speech-at-kartarpurs-inauguration</ref>

===Islam===

{{Main|Islam in India}}

[[File:Islam in India.jpg|thumb|left|[[Muslims]] praying in a [[mosque]] in [[Srinagar]], [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]].]]

[[Islam]] is a [[monotheism|monotheistic]] religion centered on the belief in one God and following the example of [[Muhammad]]; it is the largest minority religion in India. About 14.2% of the country's population or approx. 172.2 million people identify as adherents of Islam (2011 census).<ref name="censusindia.gov.in"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/Muslim-population-growth-slows/article10336665.ece|title=Muslim population growth slows|work=The Hindu|access-date=2017-07-28|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/india-has-79-8-percent-hindus-14-2-percent-muslims-2011-census-data-on-religion-2407708.html|title=India has 79.8% Hindus, 14.2% Muslims, says 2011 census data on religion|date=2015-08-26|work=Firstpost|access-date=2017-07-28|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Muslim population growth slows |work=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/census-2011-data-on-population-by-religious-communities/article7579161.ece|access-date=2016-10-18|date=2016-10-18}}</ref> Out of 172.2 Million Muslims in India as per 2011 census, It was found that more than 100 million of them are from low caste converts specially [[Dalits]].<ref>https://idsn.org/millions-dalit-muslims-face-caste-discrimination/</ref><ref>https://idsn.org/india-official-dalit-population-exceeds-200-million/</ref> The Islamic Invasion during Medieval Era has obtained the religion a significant population of adherents. The religion is regarded as "Minority religion" and the adherents are given "Special privileges" . It makes India the country with the largest Muslim population outside [[Islam by country|Muslim-majority]] countries. Muslims are a majority in states [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Lakshadweep]],<ref name="web123">{{cite web |url=http://www.webindia123.com/religion/indiafacts.htm |title=Religion in India |access-date=2007-04-18 |work=Religion, webindia123.com |publisher=Suni Systems (P) Ltd }}</ref> and live in high concentrations in [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[West Bengal]], [[Assam]], and [[Kerala]].<ref name="web123" /><ref name="COI_2001">{{cite web |title= Census of India 2001: Data on Religion |url= http://www.censusindia.gov.in/Census_Data_2001/Census_data_finder/C_Series/Population_by_religious_communities.htm |access-date= 2007-12-31 |publisher= Office of the Registrar General, India}}</ref> There has been no particular census conducted in India with regards to sects, but sources suggest the largest denomination is [[Sunni Islam]]<ref name="state.gov">[https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2003/24470.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2003]. By the [[United States Department of State]]. Retrieved on 2007-04-19.</ref> with a substantial minority of [[Shiite Muslims]] and [[Ahmadi Muslims]]. Indian sources like [[Times of India]] and [[Daily News & Analysis|DNA]] reported the Indian Shiite population in mid-2005–2006 to be between 25% and 31% of entire Muslim population of India, which accounts them in numbers between 40 and 50 million.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-06/lucknow/27799200_1_model-nikahnama-new-nikahnama-shia-personal-law-board|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811081425/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2006-11-06/lucknow/27799200_1_model-nikahnama-new-nikahnama-shia-personal-law-board|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 August 2011|title=Shia women too can initiate divorce| newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=6 November 2006| access-date=2010-06-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_talaq-rights-proposed-for-shia-women_1062327 |title=Talaq rights proposed for Shia women| publisher=Daily News and Analysis, www.dnaindia.com |date=5 November 2006| access-date=2010-06-21}}</ref><ref name="state.gov"/><ref>{{cite web|url= http://twocircles.net/2009oct08/india_third_global_muslim_population_1_57_bn.html|title= India Third in Global Muslim Population| publisher=Twocircles.net |access-date=2010-07-03}}</ref>

As per as 2011 census of India, it was found that 172.2 million Muslims we're living in India as it's citizens, constituting 14.2% of the country's population.<ref>https://www.firstpost.com/india/bjp-leaders-cite-growing-muslim-population-as-threat-to-india-facts-dont-back-their-claims-4303403.html</ref> As per as recent estimation of year (2020) Indian religious demography by Pew research center, it has been found that 213.34 million Muslims are living in India constituting 15.4% of the country's population.<ref>http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/india#/?affiliations_religion_id=16&affiliations_year=2010&region_name=All%20Countries&restrictions_year=2020</ref> But however, at a same time, many individuals and experts have said that the Muslim population in India is more than the expected census results, leading to a heated debate and controversies as their claim of being that estimation as truth is still not known today.

As per as [[Zakir Naik]], he claimed that India has over 250-300 million Muslims. He also told that the government of India suppress real Muslim population.<ref>https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/08/22/indian-muslims-should-form-exclusive-party-consider-moving-to-kerala-zakir-naik.html</ref> As per as author Shakir Lakhani, there should be at least 90 million Indian Muslims who have not been registered by the Indian authorities during last census. This means that in 2011, there were at least 22 Muslims out of every 100 Indians. There should have been about 262 million Muslims in 2011 census, instead of 172.2 million as reported by census authority earlier.<ref>https://tribune.com.pk/article/58687/fudging-the-population-the-missing-90-million-indian-muslims</ref>

===Christianity===

{{Main|Christianity in India}}

[[File:Velankanni 2.JPG|thumb|right|The [[Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health]] of [[Velankanni]], in [[Tamil Nadu]], is a very devoted [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] [[Shrines to the Virgin Mary|Marian shrine]].]]

[[Christianity]] is a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] religion centred on the life and teachings of [[Jesus]] as presented in the [[New Testament]]. It is the third largest religion of India, making up 2.3% of the population. [[Thomas the Apostle|St. Thomas]] is credited with introduction of Christianity in India. He arrived on the [[Malabar Coast]] in 52 AD.<ref name="Erwin Fahlbusch"/><ref name="Orpa Slapak"/><ref name=nasrani>{{cite web|url=http://nasrani.net/2007/02/16/st-thomas-tradition-the-indian-sojourn-in-foreign-sources/ |title=NSC NETWORK – Early references about the Apostolate of Saint Thomas in India, Records about the Indian tradition, Saint Thomas Christians & Statements by Indian Statesmen |publisher=Nasrani.net |access-date=2011-02-03}}</ref>

|location=London}}</ref> Christianity expanded in the rest of India during the period of British colonial rule.

Christian Missionaries played a major role by exposing the native Indian religions and customs (e.g. [[Sati (practice)|Sati]]) as inhumane while promoting Jesus Christ as the Sole Savior. Christians comprise the majority of natives of [[Goa]], [[Nagaland]], [[Mizoram]], as well as of [[Meghalaya]] and have significant populations in [[Kerala]].

It is difficult to establish the exact numbers of [[Baháʼí Faith|Baháʼís]] in India. The official membership claims "more than two million"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bahai.in/bahai-faith-in-india/ |title=Baha'i Faith in India }}</ref> in India, but the 2011 census listed only 4,572.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India |title=Census India - 2011 |url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/DDW00C-01%20Appendix%20MDDS.xlsx |access-date=2020-10-10 }}</ref> There is little commentary on the discrepancy. Official rolls, then only 1,000, swelled after 1960, and the large numbers enrolled as Baháʼís, in rural areas of [[Gwalior]], may have accepted the new ideas without rejecting their cultural heritage as Hindu, leading to halfway conversions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.h-net.org/~bahai/bhpapers/india1.htm |title=The Baha'i Faith in India |author=William Garlington |website=H-Bahai |access-date=2020-10-10}}</ref> Baháʼí membership rolls record who has professed belief, but no action is required to maintain membership, so as a result they tend to overestimate the number of self-identifying Baha'is.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Smith |first=Peter |title=A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baha'i Faith |encyclopedia=A concise encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith |year=2000 |publisher=Oneworld Publications |location=Oxford |isbn=1-85168-184-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit |page=244}}</ref> The [[Association of Religion Data Archives]] (relying on [[World Christian Encyclopedia|World Christian Database]]) estimated in 2015 that the Baháʼí community represents 0.2% of the total population of India.<ref name="arda-2015">{{cite web |title=India |url=https://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_108_2.asp |website=Association of Religion Data Archives |access-date=17 November 2020}}</ref>

The preamble to the [[Constitution of India]] proclaims India a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic". The word ''secular'' was inserted into the Preamble by the [[Forty-second Amendment Act of 1976]]. It mandates equal treatment and tolerance of all religions. India does not have an official state religion; it enshrines the right to practice, preach, and propagate any religion. No religious instruction is imparted in government-supported schools. In [[S. R. Bommai vs. Union of India]], the [[Supreme Court of India]] held that secularism was an integral tenet of the Constitution and that there was separation of state and religion.<ref name=hinduswami>{{cite journal |author=Swami, Praveen |date=1 November 1997 |title=Protecting secularism and federal fair play |journal=Frontline |volume=14 |issue=22 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1422/14220170.htm |access-date=2007-04-17 |author-link=Praveen Swami }}</ref>

Major religious communities not based in India continue to be governed by their own personal laws. Whilst Muslims, Christians, Zoroastrians, and Jews have personal laws exclusive to themselves; Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs are governed by a single personal law known as [[Modern Hindu law|Hindu personal law]]. Article 25 (2)(b) of the Constitution of India states that references to Hindus include "persons professing the Sikh, Jain, or Buddhist religion".<ref name="Bakshi1996">{{cite book|last=Bakshi|first=P M|title=Constitution Of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmxuAAAACAAJ|access-date=15 July 2010|year=1996|publisher=Universal Law Publishing Co.P Ltd.|isbn=978-81-7534-003-9|page=41}}</ref> Furthermore, the [[Hindu Marriage Act]], 1955 defines the legal status of Jains, Buddhists, and Sikhs as legal Hindus but not "Hindus by religion".<ref name="Diwan1981">{{cite book|last=Diwan|first=Paras|title=Modern Hindu law: codified and uncodified|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-tPXOgAACAAJ|access-date=15 July 2010|year=1981|publisher=Allahabad Law Agency}}</ref> Supreme Court in 2005 gave verdict that Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhist are part of broader Hindu fold, as they are Indic religions and interconnected to each other, though they are distinct religions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2005/20050811/nation.htm#1|title=Jains, Sikhs part of broader Hindu religion, says SC S.S. Negi Legal Correspondent}}</ref>

[[File:Flood puja.jpg|thumb|A ''[[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]]'' performed on the banks of the overflowing [[Shipra River]] in [[Ujjain]] during the [[Climate of India#Monsoon|summer monsoon]].]]

 

The vast majority of Indians engage in religious rituals daily.<ref name=religiouslife>{{cite web

Dietary habits are significantly influenced by religion. India is the country with largest [[vegetarian]] population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Countries With The Highest Rates Of Vegetarianism|url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/countries-with-the-highest-rates-of-vegetarianism.html|access-date=2020-07-03|website=WorldAtlas|language=en-US}}</ref> Some Indians practice lacto-[[vegetarianism]]. Vegetarianism is less common among [[Diet in Sikhism|Sikhs]] and is even less common among Muslims, Christians, [[Baháʼí Faith|Bahá'ís]], [[Parsis]], and Jews.<ref name=hindueatsurvey>

{{cite news | first=Yogendra | last=Yadav | author2=Sanjay Kumar | title=The food habits of a nation | url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081403771200.htm | work=hinduonnet.com | publisher=The Hindu | date=14 August 2006 | access-date=2007-04-21 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304040807/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/08/14/stories/2006081403771200.htm | archive-date=4 March 2011 | url-status=dead }}

{{Main|Indian Mujahideen|Jamaat-e-Islami Hind|List of organizations banned by the Government of India}}

{{See also|Status of religious freedom in India}}

Political parties have been accused of using their political power to manipulate educational content in a [[historical revisionism|revisionist]] manner. The BJP-led [[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] government was accused of teaching history from a [[Hindutva]] outlook in public schools by the opposition parties.<ref>https://www.educationobserver.com/saffronisation-of-Indian-Education.html</ref> The next government, formed by the UPA and led by the Congress Party, pledged to undo this and reinstate the secular form of thought in the Indian educational system.<ref name=report2005>{{cite web |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2005/51618.htm |title= International Religious Freedom Report 2005|access-date= 2007-06-03 |author=Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour |date=8 November 2005|work=2005 Report on International Religious Freedom |publisher= U.S. State Department}}</ref> Hindu groups allege that the UPA promote Marxist theories in school curricula.<ref>{{cite web |author=Upadhyay R |title=The politics of education in India: the need for a national debate |publisher=South Asia Analysis Group |url=http://www.saag.org/%5Cpapers3%5Cpaper299.html |date=21 August 2001 |access-date=2007-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217091426/http://www.saag.org/papers3/paper299.html |archive-date=2005-12-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Upadhyay R |title=Opposition in India: in search of genuine issues |publisher= South Asia Analysis Group |url=http://www.saag.org/%5Cpapers2%5Cpaper107.html |date=26 February 2000 |access-date=2007-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051217072319/http://www.saag.org/papers2/paper107.html |archive-date=2005-12-17}}</ref>

[[Communalism]] has played a key role in shaping the religious history of modern India. After [[Indian Independence Act 1947|Indian independence]] in 1947, India was [[Partition of India|partitioned]] along religious lines into two states—the Muslim-majority [[Dominion of Pakistan]] (comprising what is now the [[Pakistan|Islamic Republic of Pakistan]] and the [[Bangladesh|People's Republic of Bangladesh]]) and the Hindu-majority [[History of the Republic of India|Union of India]] (later the [[India|Republic of India]]). The partition led to rioting amongst Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs in Punjab, Bengal, Delhi, and other parts of India; 500,000 died as a result of the violence. The twelve million refugees that moved between the newly founded nations of India and Pakistan composed one of the largest mass migrations in modern history.{{cref|Δ}}<ref name="Symonds_1950_74">{{harvnb|Symonds|1950|p=74}}.</ref> Since its independence, India has periodically witnessed large-scale violence sparked by underlying tensions between sections of its majority Hindu and minority Muslim communities. The Republic of India is secular; the [[Government of India|Indian government]] recognizes no official religion.

[[File:Calcutta 1946 riot.jpg|thumb|right|Aftermath of Hindu-Muslim clashes in Calcutta, following the 1946 [[Direct Action Day]], which was announced by the [[All India Muslim League]] to show the strength of Muslim feelings towards its demand for an "autonomous and sovereign" Muslim state called ''[[Pakistan]]''.<ref name="Sengupta">{{cite book |last=Sengupta |first=Debjani |year=2006 |chapter=A City Feeding on Itself: Testimonies and Histories of 'Direct Action' Day |chapter-url=http://archive.sarai.net/files/original/2ed2f960de6596b5ed75501e6de2c774.pdf |editor-last=Narula |editor-first=Monica |title=Turbulence |series=Serai Reader |volume=Volume 6 |publisher=The Sarai Programme, Center for the Study of Developing Societies |pages=288–295 |oclc=607413832}}</ref><ref>L/I/1/425. The British Library Archives, London.</ref>]]

Major post-independence communal conflicts include the [[1984 Anti-Sikh riots]], which followed [[Operation Blue Star]] by the [[Indian Army]]; heavy artillery, tanks, and helicopters were employed against the [[Khalistan movement|Sikh partisans]] inside the Harmandir Sahib, causing heavy damage to Sikhism's holiest [[Gurdwara]]. According to the Indian government estimates, the assault caused the deaths of up to 100 soldiers, 250 militants, and hundreds of civilians.<ref name="Nichols_2003">{{cite journal |title=The Politics of Assassination: Case Studies and Analysis |last=Nichols |first=B |journal=Australasian Political Studies Association Conference |year=2003 |url=http://www.utas.edu.au/government/APSA/BNichols.pdf}}</ref>

The most affected regions were neighbourhoods in [[Delhi]]. Human rights organisations and the newspapers believe the massacre was organised.<ref name="Watch/Asia(U.S.)1994">{{cite book|last1=Watch/Asia|first1=Human Rights|last2=(U.S.)|first2=Physicians for Human Rights|title=Dead silence: the legacy of human rights abuses in Punjab|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dx7b8w6snbsC&pg=PA13|access-date=29 July 2010|date=May 1994|publisher=Human Rights Watch|isbn=978-1-56432-130-5|page=10}}</ref> The collusion of political officials in the massacres and the failure to prosecute any killers alienated normal [[Sikhs]] and increased support for the [[Khalistan movement]]. The [[Akal Takht]], the governing religious body of [[Sikhism]], considers the killings to be a [[genocide]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/1984-riots-were-Sikh-genocide-Akal-Takht/Article1-572372.aspx|title=1984 riots were 'Sikh genocide': Akal Takht – Hindustan Times|date=14 July 2010|work=Hindustan Times|access-date=2010-07-17}}</ref>

Other incidents include the 1992 [[Bombay riots]] that followed the demolition of the [[Babri Mosque]] as a result of the [[Ayodhya debate]], and the [[2002 Gujarat violence]] where 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus were killed and which was preceded by the [[Godhra Train Burning]].<ref name="HRW_2006_265">{{harvnb|Human Rights Watch|2006|p=265}}.</ref> Terrorist activities such as the [[2005 Ram Janmabhoomi attack in Ayodhya]], the [[2006 Varanasi bombings]], the [[2006 Jama Masjid explosions]], and the [[11 July 2006 Mumbai Train Bombings]] are often blamed on communalism. Lesser incidents plague many towns and villages; the representative was the killing of five people in [[Mau, Uttar Pradesh|Mau]], Uttar Pradesh during Hindu-Muslim rioting, which was triggered by the proposed celebration of a Hindu festival.<ref name="HRW_2006_265"/>

=== Demand for Hindu Rashtra ===

{{Main|Hindu Nationalism|Hindutva}}

[[File:Hindu percent 1909.jpg|thumb|Hindavi Swarajya (independent map of overwhelming Hindu majority provinces of India)]]

The All India Hindu Convention demanded that India should be declared "'''Hindu state'''" officially as well as various pro-Hindu and patriotic organisations all over India and abroad are striving to establish Hindu Rashtra.<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/declare-india-a-hindu-rashtra-hindu-convention-resolution/story-Nu4lUVWtQZ9ETPQ9BfuYVM.html</ref> Earlier Saint Mahant Paramhans Das of Tapasvi Chhavni Ayodhya, has written a letter to India's President Ram Nath Kovind listing his seven demands and the one of them is to declare India as Hindu state. Copies of the letter have been forwarded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, and district magistrate of Ayodhya.<ref>https://www.india.com/viral/declare-india-a-hindu-rashtra-ayodhya-mahant-writes-letter-to-president-requests-euthanasia-if-7-demands-not-met-4235554/</ref> There is no mention of the term “Basic Structure” anywhere in the Indian Constitution. The idea that the Parliament cannot introduce laws that would amend the basic structure of the constitution evolved gradually over time.<ref>https://cdn1.byjus.com › Lan...PDF

Landmark Cases relating to the Basic Structure of the Constitution</ref> Constitutionally speaking, the declaration of a Hindu rashtra would merely require a 15-judge Supreme Court bench to overrule the basic structure limitation on the Parliament’s power to amend the Constitution.<ref>https://www.s/indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-govt-6324468/lite/</ref> However, "Project Hindu Rashtra bill" has been stopped before 2024 election which is also an ultimate goal for upcoming Lok Sabha election.<ref>https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/project-hindu-rashtra-must-be-stopped-well-before-2024-p-chidambaram/1806403/</ref> Earlier, Uttar Pradesh's BJP MLA Surendra Singh have also given a hint, that by 2024, India will be officially declared as Hindu Nation.<ref>https://www.firstpost.com/india/india-will-become-hindu-rashtra-by-2024-says-uttar-pradeshs-bjp-mla-surendra-singh-4302275.html</ref>

* [[History of Buddhism in India]]

* [[Christianity in India]]

* {{citation |last=Zimmer |first=Heinrich |author-link=Heinrich Zimmer |title=Philosophies Of India |date=1953 |orig-year=April 1952 |editor-first=Joseph |editor-last=Campbell |editor-link=Joseph Campbell |publisher=[[Routledge]] & Kegan Paul Ltd |location=[[London]], E.C. 4 |url=https://archive.org/details/Philosophy.of.India.by.Heinrich.Zimmer |isbn=978-81-208-0739-6 }}

{{Refend}}

; Further reading

*Jain, Sandhya (2010). Evangelical intrusions: [Tripura, a case study]. New Delhi: Rupa & Co.

*Elst, K. (2002). Who is a Hindu?: Hindu revivalist views of Animism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and other offshoots of Hinduism.

*Goel, S.G. 2016. History of Hindu-Christian encounters, AD 304 to 1996.

*Goel, S. R. (1988). Catholic ashrams: Adopting and adapting Hindu Dharma.

*Panikkar, K. M. (1959). Asia and Western dominance. London: Allen & Unwin. {{ISBN|9781597406017}}

*Rajiv Malhotra (2011), Being Different: An Indian Challenge to Western Universalism (Publisher: HarperCollins India; {{ISBN|978-9-350-29190-0}})

*Swarup, Ram (1984). Buddhism vis-a-vis Hinduism.

*Swarup, R. (1995). Hindu view of Christianity and Islam.

*Shourie, Arun (1979). Hinduism, essence, and consequence: A study of the Upanishads, the Gita, and the Brahma-Sutras. Sahibabad, Distt. Ghaziabad: Vikas. {{ISBN|9780706908343}}

*Shourie, Arun. (2006). Missionaries in India: Continuities, Changes, dilemmas. New Delhi: Rupa.{{ISBN|9788172232702}}

{{Commons category|Religion in India}}

* {{cite web |title=History of Religions in India |work=www.indohistory.com |url=http://www.indohistory.com/religions.html |access-date=2008-01-01 }}