Embracing diversity key to India’s resilience: RKM Chicago monk | India News

Kolkata: India’s strength lies in its inclusive and secular character, Swami Ishatmananda, a monk of the Ramakrishna Mission order and president of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, said on Wednesday. He added that India’s survival through centuries of foreign rule is a testament to the resilience of its pluralistic ethos.
“The core philosophy of Hinduism embraces ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam‘ – the concept that the entire world is one family. This inclusive world view has allowed India to maintain its religious diversity while preserving its predominantly Hindu character, even after centuries of Mughal and British rule. By 1947, nearly 85% of India’s population remained Hindu, demonstrating the religion’s inherent strength through acceptance rather than aggression,” Swami Ishatmananda said in a free-wheeling interview with TOI.
The monk warned against narrow interpretations of nationalism that promote division rather than unity. He pointed to historical examples of India’s welcoming nature – from accepting early Christians in south India to providing refuge to Parsis from Iran and, more recently, Tibetan Buddhists. In each case, India embraced these communities without demanding they abandon their faith.

“The current political narrative suggesting Hinduism is under threat is misguided. That fear indicates weakness, while Hinduism’s true strength lies in its ability to accommodate diverse beliefs and practices. The push toward aggressive Hindutva and majoritarianism risks undermining the very essence of what has kept Indian civilization vibrant for millennia,” he said.
Swami Ishatmananda pointed to recent developments in countries like Saudi Arabia, where interfaith dialogues are now being organised, to demonstrate a growing global recognition of the need for religious harmony. “India, with its long tradition of secular values and peaceful coexistence, should lead by example rather than retreat into isolationism,” he said.
The monk emphasised that many current conflicts attributed to religion are actually rooted in economic concerns. “When people’s basic needs are met and opportunities are fairly distributed, religious tensions tend to diminish. Therefore, focusing on inclusive economic development while preserving India’s secular fabric is crucial,” he said.
Drawing from Swami Vivekananda’s teachings that “expansion is life, contraction is death”, he felt India’s influence on the world stage should come not through force or cultural imposition, but through demonstrating the power of unity in diversity. India should continue to be an example of how different faiths can coexist harmoniously while maintaining their distinct identities.
Swami Ishatmananda warned that any attempt to transform India into a monolithic religious state is destined to fail, as it goes against the country’s fundamental nature. “India’s survival and prosperity depend on preserving its secular character and continuing its tradition of embracing diversity. As educated citizens, we have a responsibility to actively promote these values and resist attempts to narrow India’s inclusive world view,” he added.