Abstract

Religion and secularism remain deeply intertwined with the social political and cultural fabric of modern India. Between 2018 and 2025 the role of religion in shaping public life and policy became increasingly contested with debates around secularism communal harmony and the nature of Indian democracy gaining renewed urgency. India’s constitutional commitment to secularism was frequently tested by religious polarization communal tensions and political mobilization around faith-based identities. At the same time interfaith initiatives grassroots peacebuilding efforts and civil society interventions worked to sustain social cohesion and protect the plural ethos of Indian society. This paper examines the dynamics of religion secularism and social cohesion during this period. It highlights how religious diversity when managed through inclusive policies and dialogue can strengthen unity but when politicized can fracture communities and threaten democratic values. The study concludes that In