Rethinking Secularism: A Thought-Provoking Reflection on India’s Happiness Index

What is the Happiness Index? Can happiness be really measured on a scale ? In recent years measuring happiness has been trending and it seems It is an international metric that measures a nation’s quality of life based on objective as well as subjective indicators. It’s an indication of how happy people are with their everyday lives, not necessarily through material possessions or resource access, but through relationships, safety, liberty, and overall emotional and mental state.The World Happiness Report, which is released every year by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks nations using these different criteria to indicate where citizens are the happiest.

If it is, the way to measure is accepted and also that the Happiness Index relies on a variety of factors that account for a country’s happiness; those include factors ranging from economic to social and psychological, and while all of them play a significant role in determining the ultimate happiness score for a country the main variables used to compute the index are finance,Strong social connections and social support those are essential for personal happiness. Individuals with strong relationships—either with family, friends, or community are more prone to have higher life satisfaction. A society with strong social networks is likely to provide a platform where people feel safe and supported, thus leading to general happiness.

Bharat, a diverse and vibrant country, is often hailed for its secular constitution, where people of different faiths live together in harmony, celebrating a wide variety of festivals, and maintaining strong communal and social ties. However, recent data regarding the Happiness Index of countries in 2025 presents a perplexing scenario—Bharat, a secular nation, is ranked much lower on the global scale of happiness compared to other countries that have a dominant religious identity. For example, Israel (a Jewish state), Russia (Christian majority), Iraq (Islamic majority), and Turkey (Islamic majority) are ranked higher in terms of happiness, despite their own challenges.

Bharat, in stark contrast, ranks 118th, despite being one of the world’s largest and most diverse democracies, with its constitution guaranteeing equal rights to all citizens irrespective of their faith. This begs a fundamental question: Does secularism, in its current form, contribute to or hinder the happiness of a nation’s people? Could India’s lower happiness ranking suggest that religious uniformity, to some extent, plays a more significant role in a nation’s overall well-being?

The Role of Secularism in India
India’s secular identity has long been a hallmark of its democratic ethos, where all religions are treated equally, and no single faith is given preferential treatment. This concept of secularism has allowed various communities to coexist for centuries, celebrating festivals together, intermingling socially, and contributing to the country’s rich cultural diversity. However, secularism, in its modern form, often leads to challenges. For instance, the demand for equal representation in jobs, politics, and other spheres of life sometimes becomes politicized, leading to tensions rather than fostering a sense of unity.

Secularism, by ensuring that no particular religion dominates the political or cultural sphere, can inadvertently create a sense of disconnection. In countries with a dominant religious identity, the shared faith often acts as a unifying force, leading to stronger communal bonds, a sense of belonging, and collective identity. In contrast, India’s secular framework, while intended to promote equality, may sometimes lead to fragmented identities, where different religious groups may feel they are treated as separate entities rather than being united under a common national identity.

Religious Uniformity and Happiness
Looking at the countries ranked higher on the Happiness Index, such as Israel, Russia, and several Islamic-majority nations, one cannot ignore the role that religious unity have a major role to play in their collective happiness. In countries with religious homogeneity, there’s a strong sense of cultural and social cohesion. The shared religious beliefs foster a common purpose, emotional bonds, and a collective sense of security and belonging. People in these countries often derive comfort from knowing they share a similar worldview and set of values.

For example, in Israel, being a Jewish state, the majority of citizens share a common religious identity, which strengthens national solidarity. Similarly, in Russia and many Islamic nations, the people’s shared religious heritage contributes to a strong national identity that can lead to greater contentment, as citizens feel a sense of common purpose and mutual understanding.

In contrast, in the secular structure of Bharat , where people of diverse faiths—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, and others—coexist, it sometimes leads to confusion, tension, or a lack of unity. While Bharat has a large Hindu majority, the pluralistic nature of its society sometimes dilutes a cohesive national identity, as various communities strive for recognition and equal representation. This has at times led to communal tensions and divisions that can affect overall societal happiness.

The Case for a Hindu State
Given the current context of the Happiness Index and the sociopolitical realities in Bharat, one might argue that a shift toward a more Hindu-centric model, while still respecting all faiths, could potentially lead to stronger national unity and happiness. By embracing a Hindu state with a clear identity, there will be a stronger sense of belonging among the majority, fostering national pride and cohesion. This would not mean disregarding the rights of minorities or curtailing religious freedom; rather, it would involve creating a framework where Hindu cultural values serve as the foundation for national identity, while still providing space for other religions to thrive.

Historically, Bharat’s identity as a land of diverse religions was grounded in Hinduism, with other religions coexisting and contributing to the cultural fabric. The idea is not to replace secularism with authoritarianism, but to create a system where Hindu values guide the national discourse, and the diverse religious communities can feel secure within that framework.

The lower ranking of Bharat on the Happiness Index, despite its secular constitution, raises critical questions about the role of religious identity in societal well-being. The experience of nations with religious homogeneity suggests that a shared faith can play a crucial role in fostering national unity and happiness. While secularism has its merits, it may be time to reconsider how Bharat defines its national identity and whether a shift toward a more Hindu-centric model might help foster greater cohesion and happiness in the country. By embracing Hinduism as a guiding cultural force while respecting religious diversity, India could potentially improve the overall well-being of its citizens and strengthen the fabric of its society.