Indian Society Playlist
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Salient Features and Diversity of Indian Society
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2
Women, Population and Family
3 topics
3
Globalisation, Communalism and Secularism
3 topics
4
Poverty and Social Empowerment
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Chapter 3: Globalisation, Communalism and Secularism
Chapter Test3 topics•Estimated reading: 9 minutes
Effects of Globalisation on Indian Society
Key Point
Since the 1991 reforms, globalisation has transformed Indian society—new jobs and incomes, consumer culture, the IT and services boom, media and the internet, and global flows of ideas. Its cultural impact is debated: homogenisation ('McDonaldisation'), glocalisation (global brands adapting to local tastes) and hybridisation. Its benefits have been uneven across regions, classes and genders.
Since the 1991 reforms, globalisation has transformed Indian society—new jobs and incomes, consumer culture, the IT and services boom, media and the internet, and global flows of ideas. Its cultural impact is debated: homogenisation ('McDonaldisation'), glocalisation (global brands adapting to local tastes) and hybridisation. Its benefits have been uneven across regions, classes and genders.
Detailed Notes (17 points)
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1. Economic and Social Effects
Growth of the services sector (IT, BPO), new middle class, rising incomes and consumption, urbanisation and migration.
Uneven gains: Skilled urban workers gained more; informal workers, small farmers and artisans faced competition; regional inequality widened.
2. Cultural Effects
Homogenisation: Spread of global brands, fast food, English and Western lifestyles ('McDonaldisation' – George Ritzer).
Glocalisation: Global firms adapting to Indian tastes (vegetarian menus, regional-language content).
Hybridisation: Fusion music, Indo-Western fashion, global popularity of yoga, Indian cinema and cuisine.
Revival of identity: Some groups react by asserting traditional or religious identities.
3. Effects on Specific Groups
Women: New jobs in services and garment exports, more mobility, but also informal low-paid work and commodification in media.
Youth: Global aspirations, career options, digital culture; also stress and unemployment.
Tribals and farmers: Displacement by mining and projects, exposure to global price volatility.
Elderly: Children migrate for jobs, weakening family support.
4. Media and Technology
Satellite TV, internet, social media—greater information and voice, but also misinformation, privacy concerns and cultural anxieties.
5. Assessment
Globalisation has expanded opportunities and reduced poverty but increased inequality and cultural tensions; Indian culture has shown resilience by absorbing and adapting global influences.
Cultural responses to globalisation
| Process | Meaning | Indian example |
|---|---|---|
| Homogenisation | Cultures become similar | Spread of global fast-food chains |
| Glocalisation | Global adapts to local | Vegetarian menus of global chains in India |
| Hybridisation | Mixing of cultures | Indo-Western fashion, fusion music |
| Revivalism | Reassertion of tradition | Revival of handloom and traditional crafts |
Fun Facts
Indian films are released in dozens of countries, and Bollywood is one of the world's largest film industries by output.
Yoga was inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2016.
India is one of the world's largest exporters of IT services.
Mains Key Points
Globalisation is not one-way Westernisation; Indian culture also shapes global culture (yoga, cinema, cuisine).
Benefits have been concentrated among the skilled urban middle class; inclusive policies are needed for the rest.
Cultural anxieties about globalisation can fuel identity politics; dialogue and pluralism are the answer.
Digital globalisation creates new opportunities (gig work, remote services) and new risks (misinformation, data exploitation).
Prelims Strategy Tips
'McDonaldisation' was coined by George Ritzer.
India's economic liberalisation began in 1991.
'Glocalisation' combines globalisation and localisation.
International Day of Yoga (21 June) was adopted by the UN in 2014 on India's proposal.
Globalisation's effects are studied under GS I (society) and GS III (economy).
Communalism in India: Causes, Consequences and Remedies
Key Point
Communalism is the belief that people who follow a religion share common secular interests that are different from and opposed to those of other religious communities. Unlike religious diversity, which enriches society, communalism turns religion into a basis for political mobilisation, prejudice and violence. Its roots lie in colonial 'divide and rule', Partition, political opportunism, economic competition and misinformation.
Communalism is the belief that people who follow a religion share common secular interests that are different from and opposed to those of other religious communities. Unlike religious diversity, which enriches society, communalism turns religion into a basis for political mobilisation, prejudice and violence. Its roots lie in colonial 'divide and rule', Partition, political opportunism, economic competition and misinformation.
Detailed Notes (19 points)
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1. Stages of Communal Ideology (Bipan Chandra)
First: Belief that followers of a religion have common secular interests.
Second (liberal communalism): These interests differ from those of other communities.
Third (extreme communalism): These interests are mutually incompatible and hostile.
2. Causes
Historical: Colonial policies (separate electorates, 1909), Partition violence.
Political: Vote-bank politics, polarisation for electoral gain.
Economic: Competition for jobs and resources, backwardness of some communities.
Social and psychological: Stereotypes, ghettoisation, lack of inter-community contact.
Media and technology: Fake news, hate speech and rumours spread on social media.
External: Cross-border propaganda and radicalisation.
3. Consequences
Loss of life and property in riots, displacement, ghettoisation, erosion of trust, threat to national unity and secular democracy, harm to investment and the economy, radicalisation of youth.
4. Legal and Institutional Measures
Constitutional secularism (Articles 25–28), IPC/BNS provisions against promoting enmity between groups, Representation of the People Act (corrupt practice of appeals to religion), National Commission for Minorities, peace committees.
Tehseen Poonawalla v. Union of India (2018): Supreme Court guidelines against mob lynching (nodal officers, fast-track trials).
Law Commission's 267th Report (2017) on hate speech; the Sachar Committee (2006) on the socio-economic status of Muslims.
5. Remedies
Swift, impartial policing and justice (riot accountability), curbing hate speech and fake news, education for pluralism and scientific temper, inclusive development, inter-community dialogue and shared spaces, responsible media, de-radicalisation programmes.
Religious diversity vs communalism
| Aspect | Religious diversity | Communalism |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Coexistence of faiths | Religion as a political identity against others |
| Attitude | Respect, tolerance | Prejudice, hostility |
| Effect | Cultural richness | Conflict and violence |
Fun Facts
Gandhi undertook fasts in Calcutta and Delhi in 1947–48 to stop communal violence.
Ajmer Sharif and many Sufi shrines attract devotees of all faiths.
Peace committees of community elders often help prevent riots at the local level.
Mains Key Points
Communalism is a modern political ideology, not an ancient religious conflict; it thrives on political mobilisation.
Impartial and swift justice after riots is the strongest deterrent; impunity encourages repetition.
Social media requires both regulation and citizen media literacy to curb rumours and hate speech.
Shared economic progress and inter-community contact reduce prejudice.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Separate electorates for Muslims were introduced by the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909).
Sachar Committee (2006) studied the socio-economic status of Muslims.
Tehseen Poonawalla (2018) laid down guidelines against mob lynching.
Appeal to religion for votes is a corrupt practice under Section 123 of the RPA, 1951.
Bipan Chandra described three stages of communal ideology.
Secularism in Indian Society
Key Point
As a social value, secularism means peaceful coexistence and equal respect for all faiths in everyday life—shared festivals, mixed neighbourhoods and respect for others' beliefs. In India it is rooted in traditions of tolerance (Ashoka, Akbar's Sulh-i-kul, Bhakti and Sufi saints, Gandhi) and in the Constitution. Challenges include communal polarisation, ghettoisation and the use of religion in politics.
As a social value, secularism means peaceful coexistence and equal respect for all faiths in everyday life—shared festivals, mixed neighbourhoods and respect for others' beliefs. In India it is rooted in traditions of tolerance (Ashoka, Akbar's Sulh-i-kul, Bhakti and Sufi saints, Gandhi) and in the Constitution. Challenges include communal polarisation, ghettoisation and the use of religion in politics.
Detailed Notes (13 points)
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1. Historical Roots of Tolerance
Ashoka's Rock Edict XII (respect for all sects), Akbar's Sulh-i-kul (peace with all) and Ibadat Khana debates, Bhakti and Sufi saints (Kabir, Nanak, Nizamuddin Auliya), syncretic traditions, Gandhi's sarva dharma sambhava.
2. Secularism as a Social Practice
Shared festivals and shrines, mixed neighbourhoods and workplaces, inter-faith friendships and marriages, common civic spaces (schools, markets, sports).
3. Constitutional Framework (Brief)
No state religion, freedom of religion (Articles 25–28), minority rights (Articles 29–30), equality (Articles 14–15); 'secular' added to the Preamble in 1976; secularism part of the basic structure (S.R. Bommai, 1994). Details are covered in Polity.
4. Challenges
Communal polarisation and riots, hate speech, ghettoisation of minorities in cities, religion in electoral politics, debates on conversion laws and the Uniform Civil Code, misinformation on social media.
5. Debates
Western vs Indian model: Strict separation vs principled distance.
Critiques: Some argue Indian secularism is selective ('pseudo-secularism'); others argue it is under threat from majoritarianism. Both highlight the need for consistency.
6. Strengthening Social Secularism
Education for pluralism and scientific temper, inter-faith dialogue, shared public spaces, impartial governance, responsible media, celebrating composite culture.
Traditions of tolerance in Indian history
| Figure/tradition | Idea |
|---|---|
| Ashoka | Respect for all sects (Rock Edict XII) |
| Akbar | Sulh-i-kul, Ibadat Khana debates |
| Kabir, Nanak | Unity of God, rejection of ritual divisions |
| Sufi saints | Love and service to all |
| Gandhi | Sarva dharma sambhava |
Fun Facts
Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb refers to the composite Hindu-Muslim culture of north India.
The Guru Granth Sahib includes verses of Hindu and Muslim saints such as Kabir and Sheikh Farid.
Many Indian cities celebrate each other's festivals jointly, like Eid and Diwali milan events.
Mains Key Points
Secularism in India is as much a lived social practice as a constitutional principle.
Composite culture—music, food, festivals, architecture—is a strong foundation for social harmony.
Ghettoisation and lack of everyday contact weaken secular bonds; urban planning and schools can counter this.
Consistency and impartiality of the state are essential to preserve faith in secularism among all communities.
Prelims Strategy Tips
Akbar's policy of Sulh-i-kul means 'peace with all'.
Ashoka's Rock Edict XII advocates respect for all sects.
'Secular' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Amendment (1976).
Ibadat Khana was built by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri for religious debates.
S.R. Bommai (1994) made secularism part of the basic structure.
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