There were conflicts in India even before Partition. Those conflicts were not solely religious conflicts. There were regional conflicts as well. So, I wouldn't say Partition still has influence over conflicts in the country. Let us take the example of Maharashtra.

There are differences between Maharashtrians and Biharis. They speak different languages. Their ways might be markedly different. Some politicians take advantage of such differences, as it is actually happening in Maharashtra.

Raj Thakeray is there on the forefront asking Biharis to get out of Maharashtra. These are, of course, not religious differences but regional differences. It is one thing to say let Mumbai cater more to Maharashtrians. Perhaps it is not a good thing to say, (but) it is something in a democracy people are allowed to say.

But to make the basis of your politics by stigmatizing the others, making all kinds of adverse comments about the Biharis, by destroying their livelihood and bashing them up, you are crossing the minimum moral threshold.

Sadly, India is alien to some Indians. If you believe in India, you have to allow free movements of all Indians within the country. To stigmatise one community and accusing them that 'they are taking away our jobs' -- that's a subversion of the democracy and the Constitution.

Image: Activists from two communities fight with canes during a clash in New Delhi, December 2007, on the fifteenth anniversary of the razing of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya.
Photograph: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images

Also read: The definition of 'secular'

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