Tavleen Singh Urges Revival of Secularism Amid Rising Majoritarian Aggression in India

Introduction

Veteran journalist and columnist Tavleen Singh has emerged as a vocal advocate for the revival of secular values in India, expressing deep concern over the rising tide of majoritarian aggression that she believes threatens the country’s pluralistic fabric. In her recent writings, particularly in her columns for The Indian Express, Singh has highlighted disturbing incidents of religious intolerance, such as Hindu teenagers harassing Muslim children, as symptoms of a broader erosion of secularism. Her critique focuses on the dangerous mix of religion and politics, which she argues is pushing India toward a divisive and intolerant future, undermining the harmonious coexistence that once defined the nation’s identity.

This article explores Singh’s perspective on secularism in the context of Hinduism, the challenges posed by rising majoritarian aggression, and her call for a renewed commitment to pluralism to safeguard India’s diverse society.

Tavleen Singh’s Critique of Rising Religiosity

Tavleen Singh, a seasoned journalist with a career spanning decades, has consistently addressed the intersection of religion, politics, and society in her columns. In her December 8, 2024, piece titled “Religiosity is sick, not secularism,” published in The Indian Express and The Financial Express, Singh laments the growing religiosity among Hindus, which she describes as having transformed ordinary citizens into “holy warriors.” She cites a particularly harrowing incident witnessed on social media: a video of a Hindu teenager beating three small Muslim children with a slipper and forcing them to chant “Jai Shree Ram.” This act of violence, she argues, mirrors the cruelty of extremist acts in other contexts, such as those perpetrated by ISIS, and serves as a stark warning of where India could be headed if religious fanaticism is not curbed.

Singh attributes this surge in aggressive religiosity to a reaction against what she calls a “false kind of secularism” that prevailed in India for decades. This flawed secularism, she contends, alienated many Hindus and fueled the rise of militant Hindutva, a nationalist ideology that seeks to establish Hindu cultural dominance. However, she warns that this reaction has gone too far, fostering an environment where religious hatred is normalized and minorities, particularly Muslims, are increasingly marginalized. Singh’s call for secularism is not a rejection of Hinduism but a plea to separate religion from politics, allowing faith to remain a personal matter rather than a tool for division.

The Context of Majoritarian Aggression

Singh’s writings come at a time when India is grappling with heightened communal tensions, particularly in the wake of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decade-long rule under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BJP, rooted in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization, has been accused by critics of promoting policies and rhetoric that undermine India’s secular constitution. Singh points to specific instances of majoritarian aggression, such as the violent clashes over the Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, where disputes over religious sites have fueled communal discord. She questions why Hindus and Muslims are fighting over mosques and temples instead of demanding basic civic rights like better municipal governance and living conditions.

The incident of Hindu teens harassing Muslim children, which Singh references, is not an isolated event but part of a broader pattern of hate crimes documented across India. For instance, her August 11, 2023, column in The Indian Express discusses the role of Hindu vigilantes, such as Monu Manesar, in inciting violence in Nuh, Haryana, where communal clashes left a trail of destruction. Singh notes that such acts are often tacitly supported by political leaders, with authorities failing to hold perpetrators accountable, further emboldening majoritarian aggression.

Singh also critiques the role of media and political rhetoric in amplifying hatred. In her August 29, 2022, column, she accuses BJP intellectuals and Hindutva-minded TV anchors of demeaning India’s pluralistic ethos through their “hysterical diatribes against Islam.” This rhetoric, she argues, creates an atmosphere where Muslims feel increasingly insecure, pushing some toward defensive positions that further polarize society.

Secularism as a Solution to Pluralism

Singh’s advocacy for secularism is rooted in her belief that religion and politics must be kept separate to preserve India’s pluralistic identity. In her April 20, 2025, column, she describes the current communal divide as a “battle between an older, civilized India and a rough, barbaric new India.” She argues that the rise of a “new India” marked by religious fanaticism and pseudo-nationalism is eroding the spiritual soul of the nation, which historically thrived on absorbing diverse influences without fear.

Drawing on India’s historical legacy of pluralism, Singh references the era when foreign ideas and languages, such as Urdu, were integrated into Indian culture, creating a vibrant melting pot. She contrasts this with the current climate, where Hindutva supporters target cultural symbols like Urdu as alien, reflecting a narrower vision of Indian identity. Singh’s secularism is not about erasing religion but about ensuring that it does not become a weapon to oppress minorities or fuel hatred. She emphasizes that true patriotism, unlike aggressive nationalism, does not question the loyalty of citizens based on their faith.

Singh also acknowledges the complexities of India’s secular tradition. In her columns, she critiques the “pseudo-secularism” of past governments, which she believes catered to minority vote banks while alienating Hindus, thus sowing the seeds for Hindutva’s rise. However, she argues that the solution is not to swing toward majoritarian dominance but to embrace a genuine secularism that upholds equality for all faiths. This view aligns with India’s constitutional commitment to secularism, as reinforced by the Supreme Court’s 1994 ruling in S. R. Bommai v. Union of India, which emphasized the separation of state and religion.

Challenges to Reviving Secular Values

Singh’s call for a revival of secularism faces significant challenges. The political landscape, dominated by the BJP’s Hindu nationalist agenda, has normalized religious polarization as a tool for electoral success. Singh notes in her January 26, 2025, column that the weaponization of nationalism, intertwined with Hindutva, has led to a toxic questioning of Muslims’ patriotism, creating a divisive “us versus them” narrative.

Moreover, opposition parties, which could champion secularism, are often distracted by other issues, such as economic controversies, failing to effectively counter the communal narrative. Singh criticizes the Congress party’s focus on figures like Gautam Adani instead of addressing the urgent need to restore secular values.

The rise of social media has further complicated the situation, amplifying hate speech and enabling anonymous trolls to target voices like Singh’s. In her April 20, 2025, column, she recounts her experience of being viciously trolled for defending Urdu, highlighting how Hindutva supporters use digital platforms to silence dissent and spread venom.

A Call for Harmony and Civic Focus

Despite these challenges, Singh remains hopeful that India can reclaim its pluralistic ethos. She advocates for a shift in focus from religious disputes to civic issues like sanitation, governance, and economic development, which affect all communities. In her December 2, 2024, column, she questions why Hindus and Muslims are not uniting to demand better living conditions in towns like Sambhal, where dilapidated infrastructure overshadows religious sites.

Singh also praises voices of reason within the Hindu nationalist fold, such as RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who cautioned against searching for Hindu symbols in every mosque. She believes that if more political and religious leaders speak out against hatred, the tide of fanaticism can be stemmed.

Conclusion

Tavleen Singh’s writings underscore the urgent need to revive secular values in India to counter the rising tide of majoritarian aggression. Her critique of incidents like Hindu teens harassing Muslim children highlights the dangers of religious fanaticism, which she sees as a betrayal of India’s pluralistic heritage. By advocating for a separation of religion and politics, Singh calls for a return to an India where diversity is celebrated, not weaponized. As the nation navigates its complex socio-political landscape, her voice serves as a reminder that true patriotism lies in fostering harmony, not division, and that secularism remains a vital tool for preserving India’s pluralistic soul.

For readers seeking to engage further with Singh’s perspectives, her columns in The Indian Express offer a wealth of insight into the challenges and possibilities of building a more inclusive India. The question remains whether India’s leaders and citizens will heed her call to prioritize civic unity over religious strife, ensuring that the nation’s diverse tapestry remains intact for future generations.

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