Diversity is one of India’s most commonly referred to features. Many religions, languages, and cultures can be found here. Furthermore, the Constitution of India assures people’s equality and freedom of religion and mentions that India is a secular state. Nevertheless, the exclusion of people belonging to non-Hindu religions reflects silent discrimination. This may not manifest as an overt hostility or prejudice but rather as simply ignoring those who belong to other religions or treating them as "different."

One prominent example is the prevalence of established religions in various public spaces in everyday society. For instance, Hinduism can sometimes assimilate into schools and workplaces without regard for people of other religions; if the Gayatri Mantra is routinely played at school gatherings without a secular option, the students of other religions may sense an obligation to engage in a practice that they do not belong to. Hence, the issue is, rather than the prayer, the lack of equal treatment of everybody in the public place.

There can be a related occurrence in regard to the religious festivals. Schools and other institutions celebrate various Hindu festivals like Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, Janmashtami, etc. in a prominent manner, sometimes through decorations. However, festivals like Eid, Christmas, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, Vaisakhi, or Easter are much less acknowledged. Although this may partly be due to the religious composition of the population, the ongoing discrepancy in the treatment of the festivals may create an impression that the traditions of the minorities do not count, thus leading to minority students and employees feeling like their customs are not important.

Religious festivals can also create a similar scenario where they are celebrated in different institutions like schools and universities. For example, festivals like Diwali, Holi, Dussehra, and Janmashtami are given very wide prominence by these institutions, often using decoration, performances, and other events, while festivals such as Eid, Christmas, Guru Nanak Gurpurab, Vaisakhi, and Easter do not get the same level of awareness. While this could be due to the differences in the population and their religion, changes in recognition of its kind can create a feeling of insignificance among minority students and workers.

Finding an adequate housing accommodation may turn out to be another serious challenge. People may find it difficult to obtain a residence on the basis of their religion when either landlords or housing societies discriminate based on their religion instead of taking into account their behavior and ability to pay. When religion becomes a barrier to something as fundamental as housing, exclusion goes beyond social discomfort and becomes a real threat to equality of opportunity.

Much like a family or a public place, workplace inclusion calls for the realization of the need to be respectful of the minority groups’ religions. Employees who belong to minority faiths might find it difficult to work in the environment that promotes one particular religion. Furthermore, there might be pressures to join the celebrations and rituals that have the religious connotations. Inclusion should make sure that people have freedom to practice their religion but also ensure that participation in religious activities is optional and not considered to be a must.

Another area for consideration in relation to the importance of religious inclusivity is the workplace. Employees who are members of minority groups may not feel at ease if workplace celebrations, conversations, or traditions focus on a particular religion or where they feel far from comfortable, as they end up being coerced into joining in with religious activities. A truly inclusive workspace should allow employees to freely express their beliefs and not impose any requirement on them in relation to participating in any kind of religious activity.

Nonetheless, tackling the issue of religious exclusion does not imply that Hindu traditions have to be excluded from public life. Hinduism is an important part of history and culture, and the people have the right to celebrate their festivals and believe in their faith. The aim should not be to substitute one type of cultural predominance with another; rather, it should be to ensure public life is not affected by religion and everyone gets a safe place to practice and profess their religion.

Hence, it is necessary to move beyond mere “tolerance” to embracing differences in terms of religion. In schools, secular gatherings can be used as a platform for teaching students about other religions. In offices, different festivals can be celebrated without inviting people to engage in religious practices. The society can fight the stereotypes and strive to secure equal rights in housing and provide chances for people of all religions. Most importantly, we can learn to question norms and understand that one who belongs to a religious minority does not make this person any less Indian.

The term "diversity" needs to mean more than just the different ethnic groups that exist in the country; it needs to be evident in the treatment of various members of society. People cannot be really free in expressing their religious beliefs unless they understand that their true identity will not result in their being judged or rejected. An inclusive society consists not of people who belong to the same religion and follow the same traditions but rather provides an opportunity for everyone to practice their faith freely and equally.