UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions: Globalisation & India | Indian Society for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalization? Justify your Answer. (UPSC GS1 2020)

Being a diverse civilization, India is a land of myriad tongue with over 1650 spoken languages and dialects. Despite of different cultures, religions and languages, people of India live together with love and brotherhood. The immense unity in diversity and pluralism makes India an example of cultural brotherhood. However, globalization has a profound effect on all our cultures and on the ways we live our lives. It has affected what we eat and the way we prepare our food, what we wear and the materials from which our clothing is made, it has affected the music we hear, the books we read, even the language we use to communicate with others. In spite of “unity in Diversity, India is not immune from negative impact of globalizing.
Threats due to globalization on Diversity and pluralism in India 

• The biggest challenge for diversity of nation through social networking site is cyber terrorism. Today terrorists select Social Media as a practical alternative to disturb the function of nations, create religious hatred among the masses. 
• Popular social networking websites are another means of attracting potential members and followers. These types of virtual communities are growing increasingly popular all over the world, especially among younger demographics. This can build Anti-national Sentiments among Society which in turn can threat the pluralism in India. 
• National subversive groups (Marxist-Leninist groups, anarchist-insurrection list groups) are influenced by other countries and get involved in violence, threatening the diversity of the nation. 
• The false propaganda of some international media to malign particular religion has impacted India as well. Its effects are visible mostly in urban areas. For example, there is some instance that in cities the rental rooms are denied by some landlord to particular religious community. 
• Globalisation has led to increased economic and cultural hegemony. With globalisation there is arguably less cultural diversity; however, it is also led to more options for some people.

Positive impact of globalisation on Indian diversity and pluralism 

• Due to globalization, there has been expansion of economic opportunities, education and liberal thoughts, which has resulted in weakening of the caste system. 
• Inter caste marriages are becoming more common and are being accepted gradually. 
• With globalization, women’s employment opportunities have increase, and now they are also contributing in family expenses which support the creation of new resources and raise the level of income of family. 
• The international writers, philosophers and thinkers have further assisted Indian people in having more tolerance, strengthening the “unity in diversity”. 

Conclusion 
The people of India, despite having different faiths, religions, castes, languages, food habits, dresses, music, and dances, have been living more or less peacefully through the ages. Some sorts of tensions, disputes, and conflicts have always existed because of the inherent contradictions and differences that exist in such diversity. The underlying spirit of respect for plurality, synthesis, and coexistence has transcended over the factors of ethnicity, language, religion, and subregional identity.

Topics Covered - Globalization, Diversity and Pluralism