In sociology, there is a theory called secularisation, which states that as societies undergo modernisation, they also witness a decline in the influence of religion. The example that truly validates this is the Renaissance period, where rationality displaced religiosity. Art, culture and studies took precedence over the Roman Catholic Church. India is a land of various kinds of religious beliefs and practices. Further, as it is still undergoing development, it becomes important to note the changes modernity has brought into Indian society, especially in urban areas amongst the educated youth.
The YouGov-Mint Millennial Survey was conducted by LiveMint in 2019 to this effect. Its findings prove to be very interesting. According to it, religiosity comparatively increased in the populace with an increase in age. This disparity is markedly visible in religious practices, where the older generation reports praying more than the younger generation (1). I had also conducted a survey on this topic in class 12. Out of 30 respondents, 10 reported that they did not visit places of worship; even if they did, it was once or twice a year.
Moreover, this theme is riddled with myriad complexities of class, caste, faith and socio-cultural expectations. For some, certain animals are sacred and therefore should not be eaten. Others participate in religious practises, often after being pressured by their elders. Hence, it is not always a matter of faith alone. A youth survey was conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in Delhi, along with the German political foundation Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung to find out their religious beliefs, if any. It was very comprehensive and exhaustive, covering 19 states. The main conclusion was that the Indian youth proved to be a potpourri of attitudes. Such a conclusion is not unfounded, as the Indian society is still navigating through the trails of development. Most of them are, accordingly, ‘A Double Helix of Modernity and Tradition,’ where conventional Indianness deals with new values. The results show that in the sample age group from 15 to 34 years, few are extremely conservative or extremely liberal. However, socio-political and religious culture predominantly affects their beliefs.
With regard to spirituality, in the survey I had conducted, many had checked the option that they were spiritual, but not religious. I believe that this trend is set to grow in the coming days, as the youth becomes more informed and starts questioning the basis of religious practices. They are turning towards meditation and yoga and embracing themselves. As digitization continues, it might be common to have rituals conducted online. For example, people have adjusted to commemorating marriages online due to the COVID-19 lockdown. It seems as if the youth has adapted the modern and the traditional in a way it transcends the generational gap. This feature is unique as well as ingenious. It belies religious indifference along with acceptance.
The problem is complicated when it comes to atheism. A quick search on Quora would reveal the number of young Indians who are disgruntled or simply opposed to the concept of religion. The 2011 Census revealed that 2, 870, 000 people had stated ‘no religion’ as their response. Amongst them were atheists too. Being an atheist is difficult in a society bound by religion. It is treated as ‘coming out’ and is met by vicious opposition. ‘Indian Atheists’ is an organization created for atheists in India to unite together. However, contrary to popular belief, their struggle is against religion and superstitious beliefs, not the practitioners of a particular religion. (2)
Atheism is still seen as a western import in India and it may take some time to create an inclusive society for the same.
In all, it is impressive how multiple strains of thought splatter the diversity which is India. My belief is that we are in an age of transition; from the old to the new. The survey I conducted did indicate that spirituality was on the rise. However, at the same time, familial customs made it difficult to disengage from the question of religion and religious attitudes. Many more are comfortable in stating themselves as atheists. Some have adopted humanity as a core belief. At the same time, I feel that there would not be a complete disjunction from existing values. The Indian tradition has been revived through yoga and meditation. In this fast paced world, one yearns for an escape from monotony, which perhaps also makes one faith a simple affair. I may appear a tad too optimistic, when I say that the new attitudes would be about embracing more and letting go. It is pertinent to keep in mind that this youth is going to define the future. As we move towards the age of information, the heterogeneity of ideas and thoughts will not only be accepted, but will also become more pronounced.
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