Atheism in India by Suyash Awasthi

The term Hindu is ambiguous. Many identities have been attached to it since
the coining of the term and even before that with the idea of it. The religious,
cultural, social and legal meaning of the word “Hindu” has been a point of
debate for various centuries and it is still prevalent. Supreme Court of India
refuses to identify Hinduism explicitly as a religion but calls it ‘A way of Life’.
That brings us to the topic of this article, Atheism.
Many argue, that the atheism is a part of ideology of Hinduism since ancient
times , giving the example of school of thoughts like Carvaka, but it creates an
identity crisis for today’s Indians who has an absence of belief in the existence
of deities and the current worldview of the term “Hindu” doesn’t concur to
their ideology.
The advent of Globalisation and Internet in India has created a surge in
number of atheists in India. The pouring in of videos, literature, comic acts on
the internet with influencers like George Carlin, Richard Dawkins, Christopher
Hitchens, etc has created a whole generation of young atheists who put
rationality and critical thinking over a belief system. Late Khushwant Singh
being the prominent in Indians who professed Atheism.
The Indian community has been fairly tolerant of it compared to many other
nations with the same degree of traditionalism that is present in India. Some
rationalist thinkers have been murdered in past but a direct relation to atheism
was never found.
There is a lack of awareness in the society about modern atheism in India.
There are not enough support structures, groups, organisations to create a
debate, promote rationality, influence people who always were “doubtful” and
support the ones who already left religion behind
I hope it changes with time so that a country replete with religion, Atheists can
find their place.