Abstract

Secularism in India has been a central tenet of the political and constitutional framework since independence aiming to maintain a balance between diverse religious communities while ensuring that the state does not favor or discriminate against any particular faith. The political landscape in India however presents a complex interplay between ideology electoral strategies and governance where secularism often becomes a contested and strategically employed concept. This research examines the politics of secularism by analyzing the approaches of two dominant national parties the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). While the Congress party has historically promoted secularism as a core constitutional value emphasizing inclusivity and minority protection the BJP has projected an alternative vision often blending cultural nationalism with religious identity to appeal to its voter base. The study employs a qualitative analysis of party manifestos speeches po