Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation ? Justify your answer.

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Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Globalisation strains India's diversity at the edges through cultural homogenisation, language loss and identity backlash, but it does not threaten pluralism at its core and also takes regional cultures global. The People's Linguistic Survey of India (2013) estimated about 220 languages died in fifty years.

**Introduction**

Since 1991, global brands, English and the internet have reached deep into Indian life, prompting fears of McDonaldisation. Yet India's pluralism, protected by Articles 29 and 30, has negotiated globalisation rather than simply received it.

**How Globalisation Strains Diversity**

1. **Homogenisation**: Global consumer culture spreads uniform tastes in food, dress and entertainment across regions.
2. **Language and craft loss**: The People's Linguistic Survey of India (2013) estimated about 220 languages lost in fifty years, while English and factory goods squeeze small languages and handlooms.
3. **Identity backlash**: Giddens saw globalisation provoking defensive identities, as in Haryana's 75% local jobs law (2020), struck down in 2023.

**How Globalisation Renews Pluralism**

SKETCH: forcefield | Globalisation and Indian pluralism
center: Indian diversity
driving: Glocalisation, Diaspora soft power, Regional media boom, Digital voice
restraining: Cultural homogenisation, Language loss, Consumerism, Identity backlash

1. **Glocalisation**: McDonald's dropping beef and pork from its Indian menus shows local culture reshaping the global, what Roland Robertson called glocalisation.
2. **Regional cultures go global**: "Naatu Naatu" won the Oscar (2023) and UNESCO inscribed Garba (2023), while the diaspora and the International Day of Yoga turn tradition into soft power.
3. **Digital voice**: The internet lets Dalit, Adivasi and small-language communities publish and organise, and Bhashini (2022) builds AI translation across Indian languages.

**Way Forward**

1. **Language and livelihood**: Mother-tongue schooling under NEP 2020 can slow language loss, while GI tags and One District One Product can carry crafts to global markets.
2. **Fraternity**: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat exchanges and media literacy can keep identity anxiety from turning into polarisation.

**Conclusion**

Globalisation strains diversity at the edges but does not threaten pluralism at its core. The greater risk is intolerance within, and fraternity under Article 51A(e) lets India absorb the global while remaining many.

Is diversity and pluralism in India under threat due to globalisation ? Justify your answer.

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