Multiculturalism can be understood as an ideology that argues for the recognition of diversity and minority rights in order to maintain peace and harmony in society. For a multi-diverse country like India, state policies promoting multiculturalism have been crucial in maintaining relative political unity, stability, and integrity of the nation.
Various steps taken by the government to promote multiculturalism
1) Constitutional measures:
a) Preamble and Fundamental rights from 25 to 28, 29 and 30 grants freedom of religion and cultural and educational rights for cultural and religious minorities.
b) Indian secularism follows the “principled distance model” which is based on equal respect for all religions
c) Provisions of Schedule 5 and 6 also ensure the tribal culture, practices and their way of life are protected.
2) Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav: This Program aims to promote the rich cultural heritage along with enhancing mutual understanding and bonding among people of different cultures.
3) Project Mausam: The programme aims at rejuvenating the old cultural ties with the countries in the Indian ocean region. It is based on the ideal of “vasudhaiva kutumbakam” , a cosmopolitan world view.
4) Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India: Under this scheme the Ministry of Culture provides assistance to cultural organizations and individuals working to promote and preserve Indian cultural heritage.
5) Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat scheme: This Program aims to enhance interaction & promote mutual understanding between people of different states/UTs through the concept of state/UT pairing.
6) Codification of personal laws: Codification of personal laws such as The Muslim Personal law shariat application act 1937 and The Hindu Marriages Act 1955 which provides for governing of civil matters according to community laws along with protection of fundamental rights.
However, in recent times this multicultural spirit of India is facing issues like social polarization due to communal politics leading to a rise in trust deficit between different communities. Steps like systemic reforms in the Indian electoral system to reduce the communal consciousness and strengthening of civil society by safeguarding the freedom of speech and expression are the need of the hour to preserve the multicultural spirit of India.
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