I left India in 2019 after growing up in Calcutta, studying in Delhi, and working between Bangalore and Hyderabad.

The events from the last few days have left me questioning- is there hope?

Ever since BJP came into power, I have seen people change. People I went to school and uni with. People with the same value systems.

As much as I never differentiated or discriminated between my friends, they told me to keep my opinions to myself because I’ve left the country. I should just focus on making dollars while they supported the Citizenship Amendment Bill, nationalisation, saffronisation, and what not.

Raised in a religious family, I became agnostic because I saw so much hatred for other religions. My childhood friends are from these other religions.

I don’t know if there was a mosque first or a temple but I want secularism to prevail in our country. We pride on it, don’t we? I love how all religions and cultures come together in India. I love how my friends invite me over whenever I’m back home.

I just want the nation not to be divided based on religion.

Tell me there’s hope.

EDIT:

3 hours and 140 comments later (some targeted, and some very insightful), I feel I don't need to explain my interest in my country even if I don't live there. I have family and friends there and I give a fuck, so don't give me the bullshit that "since you've left, don't bother".

A country as big and populous as India invites debate and differing opinions. Freedom to think critically, invite discourse. I never said India was less divided or less/more radicalized before 2014. What I truly hope for India is less mingling of politics and religion.

And lastly, I will not stop being interested in India no matter where I live or what colour d*ck I suck. Thanks.