Partition Wasn’t the End—Religion Still Divides India, Just in a New Way

"Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion." — George Washington

Yet, in India, the opposite assumption has ruled for decades—that morality, governance, and even national identity must be tethered to religion. But does a country need religion to function? Can humanity not survive without it being wielded as a tool of power? Nations have thrived on principles of justice, equality, and rationality—not on religious divisions that dictate who belongs and who doesn’t.

Seventy-seven years after independence, India still finds itself shackled to the very fault lines that tore it apart in 1947. Partition may have ended, but the ideological divide it created remains deeply entrenched. The weapons have changed—from swords and bullets to rhetoric and policies—but the war remains the same. Faith continues to be politicized, communities are still pitted against one another, and religion is exploited as a means to consolidate power.

For a country that takes pride in its diversity, why does its politics still thrive on division? The lines drawn in 1947 were not just on maps—they were etched into mindsets, institutions, and policies. Today, the question is not about faith itself, but about how it is being used. Is religion truly guiding morality, or has it simply become a tool to control?


The birth of India and Pakistan was marked by one of the most brutal episodes in history. The decision to divide the land along religious lines led to an exodus of nearly 15 million people, with an estimated one to two million lives lost due to communal violence. Cities like Lahore, Delhi, Amritsar, and Karachi witnessed unprecedented bloodshed as Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs turned against each other. Women were abducted, villages were set ablaze, and entire communities were uprooted, leaving behind a legacy of pain and mistrust.

Despite leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru envisioning a secular India, the reality of the time was starkly different. Religion had become a defining aspect of political identity, and it continued to shape the country's trajectory even after independence. The scars of Partition were never truly healed, and the communal divisions remained embedded within the fabric of Indian society.


While Partition physically separated Hindus and Muslims into two different nations, religious identity has continued to serve as a dividing force in India. Even after seven decades, incidents of communal violence flare up regularly, often fueled by political agendas.

According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India has witnessed thousands of communal incidents since independence. Some of the most significant events include:

Surveys by organizations like the Pew Research Center show that religious tensions have only grown over the years. In a 2021 report, nearly 64% of Indians said that religion is very important in their daily lives, but a concerning number also reported feeling that religious discrimination and intolerance were on the rise.


One of the most pressing concerns today is the way political entities use religion as a tool for consolidating power. Every election cycle, communal rhetoric is amplified, and narratives of division are strategically employed to shape public opinion. Political campaigns often exploit religious sentiments, whether through identity-based politics, policy decisions, or subtle messaging that fosters an ‘us versus them’ mentality.

The implementation of religiously motivated policies, controversial legal changes, and selective enforcement of laws further widen the divide. Issues such as citizenship laws, interfaith marriages, temple-mosque disputes, and cow vigilantism have been turned into political battlegrounds rather than being addressed through constitutional and humanitarian lenses. Hate speeches and misinformation on social media platforms also play a significant role in fueling divisions, with digital propaganda exacerbating communal tensions.



Beyond political maneuvering, the division also affects social harmony. The fear of interfaith friendships, marriages, and cultural exchanges has led to increasing societal ghettoization. In many urban centers, neighborhoods are segregated based on religion, with minority communities often facing systemic discrimination in housing and employment.

A study by Lokniti-CSDS in 2022 found that over 35% of Indians prefer living in neighborhoods where people of their own religion reside, indicating a reluctance to integrate across religious lines. Additionally, hate crimes and mob violence in the name of religion have surged, making minorities feel insecure in their own country.

The psychological impact of communalism is also significant. Children grow up hearing divisive narratives, absorbing biases that shape their worldview. This is particularly evident in the way history is taught in schools, where versions of events are sometimes distorted to suit political agendas.

It is crucial to recognize that religious division is not an organic social phenomenon but a strategically maintained tool of control. People must begin questioning the narratives fed to them and reflect on the broader consequences of religious polarization. When an individual allows religious bias to dictate their political choices, employment decisions, or friendships, they inadvertently contribute to the very cycle that keeps them trapped in the past.

India’s strength lies in its diversity. The subcontinent has thrived historically because of its pluralistic traditions, where different communities have coexisted and enriched one another. If India truly wants to honor its independence, it must reject religious divisiveness and work towards a society based on equality, justice, and mutual respect.


Partition may have physically divided India and Pakistan, but its ideological remnants continue to shape the nation's reality. Religion remains a powerful force—wielded not for spiritual enlightenment but for political gain.

The question that remains is: Will India continue to let religion dictate its trajectory, or will it finally break free from the cycle of division?

The choice is in the hands of its citizens—to remain pawns in the political game of religious manipulation or to strive for a future where national identity supersedes religious affiliation. It is time for introspection, awareness, and most importantly, action. The mirror has been placed—will we choose to look into it?