Diverse Roots, One Mighty Tree- india's unity

“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.”

-Mahatma Gandhi

Beyond the Slogans: The Fragile Threads Holding India Together

The phrase Unity in Diversity rings a nostalgic bell in every Indian’s Mind. Images of the brutish Himalayas and the soothing backwater of Kerala flash before their eyes and leave them behind with a feeling of belongingness and brotherhood. They would not be mistaken to feel so, as this is the idea of a nation that most Indians grew up witnessing. The concept of “unity in diversity” is not strange for Indians. —The presence of differences within a society based on religions, castes, customs, genders, and languages means diversity, and the ability to accommodate people with all such differences constitutes Unity. India with a civilization spanning approximately 8000 years, has been a home to a rich variety. This harmonious combination goes on to define India. This subcontinent stretches for over 2.28 million square kilometers, which has been considered home by several civilizations. By embracing the philosophy of Unity amid diversity, India has demonstrated to the world, a true display of kinship and solidarity. This heterogeneity exists as India accommodates all the major religions in the world. Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism emerged from this land, and foreign influences brought in Islam, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. These six major religions brought with them their peculiar ways of life and formed a society that made space for all. Despite these complex myriads of faiths, traditions, and cultures, a notion of belongingness has always existed among the people. Perhaps because every religion was bound together by a deep sense of devotion to its faith, this religious ethos of respect, tolerance, and acceptance is the binding force behind this unity. A sense of brotherhood arose from shared history and common morals. The Country’s approach towards religious and cultural multiplicity is also a testament to its ability to unite its diverse people under a shared identity. A perfect example of understanding how the country fosters its diversity is by simply picking up an Indian currency note. At first glance, it would appear that it's like any other nation’s note, but after careful observation, one would find multiple scripts displayed on the side. The same isn't evident for any other country and goes to prove how India honors and celebrates its diversity. In his book “Discovery of India, " Nehru carefully observes that while Indians vary from each other vastly, an Indian will more or less feel at home in any part of India and would feel strange or alien in other countries.

Historical Perspective on Indian Unity

“Roses in December”, The Autobiography of Former Chief Justice MC Chagla of Bombay Court begins with a quote from the Rig Veda - Let Noble Thoughts come to us from All Sides. This phrase perfectly encapsulates the roots of Indian Diversity. This 5000-year-old civilization has witnessed years of complex and layered history, caused by waves of migration and conquest. The arrival of Aryans, Greeks, Scythians, Hunans, Mughals, and Europeans added to the rich tapestry of life and molded the culture periodically. This has created a unique blend of cultures, which has helped blossom Indian diversity.

Early Political and Cultural Integration

Contrary to the colonial narrative, Indian unity predates British rule. While the freedom struggle did act as a pivotal force in fostering National integration, the roots of Indian unity ran much deeper. Indian civilization developed in the valleys of the two river systems–Indus and Ganges, although surrounded by the ocean in the south and fenced by the Himalayas in the north, the society was never in isolation. Settlers have managed to enter from land as well as by creative sea routes. This resulted in a complex combination of civilizations, evidence of which can be found in the Indian art and culture dating from ancient to modern times. For instance, the origin of the Dancing Buddha of the Gandharva school can be traced back to the Greeks. We also see a strong influence of Mughal architecture and miniature painting on the great temples of north and south India, a classic example of the amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim traditions. One can also start gathering evidence from the 3rd century Mauryan Empire, where Prakrit was widely used as a common language. This empire extended from present-day Afghanistan to Bengal and from the Bay of Bengal to the Krishna River in the south, making the Mauryan Empire one of the earliest instances of political and cultural integration in the region. The Mauryan Empire lasted for about 140 years, and yet its influence persisted, contributing to advancements in art, literature, sculpture, and the spreading of Buddhism. In the 6th Century BCE, before the entry of Islam, South India was bound together by the rise of devotional Hinduism (Bhakti Movement). The hymns created by the bhakti saints unified people through spiritual awakening and later spread throughout the subcontinent. A striking example of India’s religious greatness is the Basant Panchami celebration at Delhi’s Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya’s Dargah, which showcases how Sufism has transcended religious boundaries. The 700-year-old practice goes beyond religious boundaries, where Basant Panchami, ideally a Hindu festival, is celebrated in a Dargah. Another example was the Domination of the Mughal Empire, which changed the complete landscape of India and left a long-lasting impact on Language, Architecture, and Cuisine. Akbar’s reign was also widely labeled as secular and tolerant. Tax was deducted from non-muslims, and a new religion was introduced called “Din-i-Illahi” which was an amalgamation of all religions.

Social Construction of The Indian Unity

The Constitution, being the primary document of any country, governs the functioning and sets the tone for the nation. It is the foundational work that defines the principles and structure of any nation. It creates the identity of the state. The constitution is, however, not just focused on the governance part but also aids in establishing a distinct identity of the nation. The Indian constitution is a prime example of a document that safeguards the nation's vast diversity. It was understood by the framers of the Constitution that nation-building is not a one-step process, and it takes decades of time and a strong framework to ensure unity among the diverse people of the nation.

Constitutional Safeguard

There was a realization among all the framers of the Constitution that to create an identity of the nation, the diverse culture of the nation had to be preserved. It was understood that the strength of the nation is in its diversity and unity. The reformative approach towards the nation building was a deliberate attempt to shift from an age-old model of unity, which usually relied on the unitary structure, and be more focused on constituting India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, and Republic nation with the acknowledgment and respect for diverse cultures and religions with a combination of unitary features but a federal structure.

For the first time in history, India’s unity was being constructed socially, on an unprecedented scale. Unlike the pre-British period, where unity was often dictated by hierarchical or regional authority, this process was markedly democratic, involving a much larger section of society in decision-making. The leaders of the National Movement also realized that building a strong nation and preserving cultural identity had to be carried out simultaneously. India's strength lay in its diversity, and the first step to a free India was not to suppress this diversity but to acknowledge and embrace it.

To achieve this, a Drafting Committee, under the leadership of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was established. After nearly three years of tireless effort (2 years, 11 months, and 17 days), the Constitution was finally adopted, declaring India to be a Sovereign, Socialist, Democratic, Republic State. These core values were enshrined in the Preamble, which acted as the soul of the Constitution, guiding the nation’s governance and identity. Additionally, India also adopted a cooperative federal system of government—an indestructible union of states. The significance of this federal structure was reaffirmed in the landmark S.R. Bommai judgment, declaring secularism and federalism as basic features of the Constitution. Where the Western secular model generally seeks complete separation of the State’s identity from religion, Indian secularism, as interpreted through the Golden Triangle, encompasses and protects religious diversity as an essential part of its national identity.

Capitalizing on Language

Languages are the carriers of customs and traditions, serving as the bridge between generations and preserving history. Languages play a vital role in shaping India's inclusivity. Recognizing that linguistic diversity is an asset, the Constitution granted official status to 22 languages in the Eighth Schedule, promoting regional identity and fostering national unity. This linguistic inclusivity ensured that India's diverse communities felt represented and valued within the constitutional framework.

Today, we see a constitution with various articles advocating and protecting the diversity of India. Fundamental rights ensure equality before the law by prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of religion, caste, race, sex, or place of birth. Protecting the interests of minorities by giving them the right to establish and administer educational institutions. The fundamental duties imposed on every citizen also highlight a sense of responsibility towards national unity and encourage citizens to contribute to preserving the country's pluralistic identity.

The Golden Triangles

Articles 14, 19, and 21–often referred to as the Golden Triangle of the Indian constitution have also played a vital role in preserving the diverse nature of the constitution, stressing and protecting the very basics of human rights and classifying them as fundamental. The unique combination of these three fundamental rights ensures that no person is deprived of their right to equality and freedom, which are essentially a binding factor to diverse societies and cultures, providing them with a sense of protection from any forces causing harm to their cultural heritage. The combination of fundamental rights not only guarantees protection but also enlightens the sense of unity and the right to live with dignity, irrespective of caste.

The constitution of India is not any ordinary document but a solid, structured, and well-thought-out piece of work, showcasing that unity in India is not a fragile concept but a truth encapsulated and protected by the constitution, making it essential for the existence of various cultures in India. Every single provision of the Constitution has been meticulously and carefully drafted, preserving the identities and traditions. As a result, India now possesses one of the lengthiest and most detailed constitutions in the world—an embodiment of its commitment to justice, equality, and unity in diversity.

Threat to India’s Unity

The human psyche is requisite for the sustenance of any kind of Unity. A strong sense of belonging, mutual respect for all religions and cultures, and unbreakable fraternity are required from all. While it is natural to see occasional disharmony among a diverse set of people, some reactions could also be offset by external influences that thrive on divide-and-rule policies. Sashi Tharoor, in his book Why I Am a Hindu, expresses his concern about losing the original way of unified thinking because of factors like colonization and modernization. These separationist policies have directly influenced our attitudes toward religion. A gradual increase can be witnessed in the separatist sentiments.

Modern influence and external threats

A drastic shift in the religious landscape is undeniable, largely influenced and catapulted by the effects of colonization. The separatist policies designed to only benefit the colonizer invariably destroyed the religious ethos and pluralistic nature of Indian unity. Indian spirituality was weakened by the imposition of the rigid Western doctrine of ‘Divide and rule’. We see the effects of this shift in post-independent India as well. Despite constitutional safeguards, several instances of communal tension can be seen causing great damage to the unity and integrity of the nation. The demolition of Babri masjid in the year 1992, followed by the Bombay bombings in the year 1993, the Gujarat riots of the year 2002, and the list goes on.

Religious and communal tensions remain one of the biggest threats to India’s unity. Historical conflicts are being used to shape and rewrite narratives, creating a new set of modern issues furthering tensions among religious communities. Local terror incidents are on the rise, causing grave harm to public safety, which acts as fuel to the existing communal divisions, thereby posing security challenges.

The Way Forward- India’s Unity and Diversity: A Social Construct or an Enduring Truth?

When we trace Indian history, it becomes clear that India had familiarized itself with the concept of Unity in Diversity for centuries. The study of history plays an important role here as it helps us understand how the idea of India came into existence. From this study, we infer that the origin of Indian unity lies not only in the framing of the Constitution's provisions but has been an underlying fact for years. The social construction of the nation’s identity was only possible because its rich history of cultural amalgamation paved the way for it. The only way forward for the country is to embrace its differences and work in a coalition. In short, India's diversity birthed its unity. Unity here is not to be confused with Uniformity. The former promotes a sense of belonging and togetherness, and the latter enforces a single identity or sameness. The mere fact that homogeneity continues to exist in India on such a large scale goes on to prove that Indians have time and again rejected the idea of uniformity. This would not have been possible if Indian unity were merely a social construct enforced upon people. Shashi Tharoor has managed to beautifully encapsulate this idea in his quote, which goes as “If America is a melting-pot, then to me India is a thali, a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast”. Hence India's unity in diversity does not merely exist on paper but creeps through every shady corner of the street! After all, where else but in India would one find a Cheese Chinese Dosa.

About the Author- Bhakti Garje is a penultimate-year law student at the Government Law College, Mumbai.

Palaksh K. is a final-year law student at the Government Law College, Mumbai.

References

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2. Embassy of India, Budapest, History of India (n.d.), https://www.eoibudapest.gov.in/page/history/.

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4. Nehru, J. (1946). The Discovery of India. Penguin Books.

5. Abhinav Chandrachud, Why India’s Constitution Still Thrives After 75 Years of Scrutiny (Feb. 5, 2025, 11:43 IST), https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/india-constitution-75-years-scrutiny-9798790/.

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10. S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, (1994) 3 SCC 1 (India).

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12. INDIAN CONST. art. 15.

13. INDIAN CONST. art. 30(1).

14. INDIAN CONST. art. 51A(e).

15. Shashi Tharoor, Why I Am a Hindu xiii (Author's Note) (Aleph Book Company, 2018)

16. A.J. Christopher, “‘Divide and Rule’: The Impress of British Separation Policies”, 20 Area 233, 234 (1988), http://www.jstor.org/stable/20002624.

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21. Shashi Tharoor, A Culture of Diversity (June 25, 1997),https://shashitharoor.in/writings_my_essays_details/233

The debate over whether India's unity in diversity is a social construct or an enduring truth often presents a limited perspective. To understand India, a much wider approach is required. The Indian subcontinent has been upheld historically as a land of contrasts and convergences. This is a land that has embraced everyone who has set foot on it and has tried to create a rigid foundation for unshakable unity. The echoes of its earliest civilizations travel to modern times and still manage to find their place in society. The nation owes its foundation to its history, where centuries-old traditions have carved out the Indian identity. This identity originated from a zestful interplay between cultures, languages, and traditions. This essay tries to understand where exactly the idea of unity in diversity originated from. It provides the readers with a brief trip back to Indian history to finally arrive at the statutory construction of Indian identity. This essay argues that Indian unity is not only a careful social and political construction but also a truth that has emerged organically. This essay analyzes the constitutional framework to demonstrate and advocate that these provisions exist not only to safeguard Indian unity but also to acknowledge that India exists due to its diversity. However, at the same time, the after-effects of colonial divide and rule policies continue to act as a threat to the Indian fraternity. Through the lens of ancient narrative and new-age challenges, this essay finally asserts that the only way forward for India is to continue embracing its differences.

2nd Runner Up of 5th Freedom Fighter Late Shri. Prem Nidhi Agrawal Memorial Essay Competition.