In today's India, history is being selectively rewritten to suit a particular political ideology. As a result, the important roles played by religious and social minorities—especially Christians, Muslims, and Dalits—in building the nation are being ignored or forgotten. Their contributions in areas such as education, culture, politics, and social reform are often overlooked in schoolbooks and public discussions, while majoritarian stories dominate the national narrative.

In response to my earlier article in Indian Currents (June 16–22, 2025, pp. 32–34), a few readers requested proof of this erasure. While the question was sincere, it reflects a larger issue: many people are unwilling to acknowledge the depth and systemic nature of this exclusion. This unwillingness is made worse by the current political atmosphere influenced by Hindutva ideology, which resists acknowledging uncomfortable truths. India's ideals of equality and diversity are under threat from caste privilege, economic injustice, and rising religious nationalism. In this environment, the law is often misused as a tool of control, such as in the use of "bulldozer justice" that targets minorities.

This article provides documented evidence of the vital roles played by these marginalised communities and exposes the mechanisms—ideological, political, and educational—that perpetuate their exclusion. It is not just a response to a few critiques, but a reaction to a broader mindset that seeks to conceal or distort the truth. Using historical facts and current examples, I show how Christians, Muslims, and Dalits have played crucial roles in shaping India. I also expose how systems in education, politics, and media continue to push them to the margins. This response is both a clarification and a continuation of a broader effort to reclaim an inclusive narrative of Indian nationhood—one that honours all who have contributed to its making. Truth may hurt, but it must be told—not to divide, but to heal.

Dalits: Makers of Modern India
Dalits, long oppressed by the caste system, have played a vital yet overlooked role in building India, both literally and figuratively. Historically, they were the backbone of India's agrarian and artisanal economy, performing essential tasks like farming, leatherwork, and sanitation. Yet, for centuries, they were denied access to education, dignity, and participation in religious or public life.

The most prominent Dalit figure, Dr BR Ambedkar, reshaped India's future as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. His ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity gave democratic life to the nation. His push for universal adult franchise and reservations for the oppressed brought structural changes that aimed to uplift marginalised communities. But Ambedkar's more radical ideas—such as his demand for caste annihilation, his critique of Gandhi's politics, and his call for Dalit political autonomy—are often hidden or softened in mainstream narratives. Even government funding for Ambedkar memorials has been cut, despite his image being used by political groups that overlook his core message.

Beyond Ambedkar, many others have carried forward the Dalit struggle. Reformers like Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule pioneered women's and Dalit education in the 1850s, but their anti-caste work is now barely mentioned in schoolbooks. Movements like the Dalit Panthers and political parties like the BSP have mobilised people for land rights, dignity, and justice. In places like Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana, Dalits have led nonviolent struggles for land ownership. Yet, even today, Dalits remain underrepresented in key fields such as media, education, and government services.

The rewriting of history adds to their marginalisation. Events like the Battle of Koregaon in 1818—where Dalit soldiers defeated Brahmin Peshwas—are now contested and even criminalised. The government has arrested activists under harsh laws like UAPA for merely commemorating such events. Thinkers like Periyar EV Ramasamy, who fought for caste annihilation through the Dravidian movement, are now selectively quoted while ignoring their anti-Brahmin and atheist foundations. Adivasi leader Birsa Munda, who stood against both British rule and caste landlords, is primarily remembered as a tribal hero rather than as a voice for caste and land justice.

Today, caste-based exclusion continues in different forms. Dalits make up around 16% of India's population, but hold only 5% of top bureaucratic positions. Economic programs meant for Scheduled Castes are often diverted, and legal justice remains out of reach—95% of cases under the SC/ST Atrocities Act end in acquittals. These figures illustrate the penetration of caste within Indian society, as well as its impact on the country's political and economic structures.

Despite these injustices, Dalits continue to push for a more equal and just India. They are not just victims—they are visionaries, leaders, and changemakers. Recognising their full story is not just about history—it is about truth, justice, and the future of Indian democracy.

Muslims: Nation-Builders, Not Outsiders
Muslims have been an integral part of India's cultural, intellectual, and political life for over a thousand years. Far from being "foreigners," they helped shape the very idea of India. The Taj Mahal and Red Fort are not just monuments to architectural beauty—they are symbols of the shared Indo-Islamic culture that blended Hindu and Muslim traditions into a unique Indian identity. Muslim poets, scholars, and scientists also made significant contributions to India's growth in fields such as astronomy, medicine, and mathematics. Institutions like Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) played a key role in both modern education and the nationalist movement.

Muslim leaders were active in India's freedom struggle. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India's first Education Minister, worked for Hindu-Muslim unity and for universal education. Revolutionaries such as Ashfaqulla Khan and Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan risked their lives in their resistance to British rule. Movements like the Khilafat movement were early examples of joint Hindu-Muslim political action. Muslim women, too, broke barriers—like Begum Rokeya in education and Begum Hazrat Mahal, who led armed resistance during the 1857 revolt.

Despite this deep-rooted legacy, today's political discourse often paints Muslims as "outsiders" or "troublemakers." Key Muslim figures are missing from school textbooks, and their achievements are downplayed. For example, Ashfaqulla Khan's role in the Kakori Conspiracy and Maulana Azad's contributions to the Congress are barely mentioned, while leaders like Savarkar—who sought mercy from the British—are glorified. The Moplah Rebellion of 1921, an anti-colonial and anti-landlord uprising, is now inaccurately labelled as a communal riot in official narratives.

This historical distortion reflects a larger pattern of exclusion. Muslims and Dalits face discrimination not only in books but also in daily life. Muslim representation in government jobs is just 2.2%, and updated figures are never shared. Policies like the CAA-NRC have created fear of statelessness. Bulldozer demolitions in places like Delhi (2024) and UP (2023) often target Muslim homes without due legal process. When Dalit or Muslim communities protest injustice, media outlets often portray them as threats to public order rather than victims of oppression. Meanwhile, the legal system fails to deliver justice—most cases under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act end in acquittals, which only encourages more violence.

The real threat to India's unity isn't its minorities—it is the ongoing attempt to rewrite history, deny equal citizenship, and silence dissent. Recognising the contributions of Muslims is not about rewriting the past; it is about telling the truth that has long been hidden.

Christian Service, Healthcare and Education
Though Christians make up just about 2.3% of India's population, their impact on the country's progress—especially in education, healthcare, and human rights—has been far-reaching. In my earlier article, I have placed on record the contribution of Christian missionaries in the field of education, shaping generations of Indian leaders. In areas where the caste system denied education to Dalits and Adivasis, Christian missions opened the first schools. In the tribal regions of the Northeast, communities such as the Khasis, Mizos, and Nagas achieved widespread literacy due to missionary efforts. Similarly, Christian medical institutions introduced modern healthcare to underserved rural populations and continue to be global leaders in medical care.

Christians also played an essential role in shaping India's democratic values. Dr HC Mukherjee, a Christian and Vice President of the Constituent Assembly, worked diligently to include safeguards for religious and linguistic minorities in the Indian Constitution. Yet, despite these contributions, Christians are often ignored or portrayed with suspicion in national narratives. Increasing attacks on churches, the spread of anti-conversion laws, and efforts to label Christians as 'outsiders' contribute to this unjust erasure.

Additionally, Dalit Christians face double discrimination—within the Church and from the state. The 1950 Presidential Order excludes Christians from Scheduled Caste (SC) protections, even though caste-based discrimination exists within Christian communities. Churches, at times, avoid acknowledging caste openly, which further weakens the case for affirmative action. Anti-conversion laws in several BJP-ruled states criminalise interfaith marriages and conversions, often targeting Christians and Muslims. In Uttar Pradesh alone, the 2021 law resulted in nearly 200 arrests, many of which were unjust.

Despite all this, Christians have continued their work quietly—building institutions, serving the sick, and fighting for justice. Their legacy is one of service, not domination—a truth that deserves far more recognition in India's story.

Democracy or Rule by the Majority?
India, long celebrated as the world's largest democracy, is now witnessing a troubling transformation—where democracy is increasingly used to justify exclusion rather than uphold inclusion. The shift is not merely political but deeply structural, altering the very meaning of democratic governance. Laws and policies that once seemed extreme are now central to state functioning, often targeting religious and social minorities, especially Muslims and Christians.

This legal shift is most evident in the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which violates constitutional equality by excluding Muslims from fast-track citizenship. When paired with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), it threatens to render millions stateless. Similarly, anti-conversion laws like Uttar Pradesh's 2020 ordinance, presented as safeguards against "Love Jihad," have led to mass arrests—mostly of Muslim men and Christians—and sparked vigilante violence, often with state support.

These discriminatory policies are reinforced by shifts in public opinion and culture. A 2023 Pew survey revealed that 64% of Indians now equate national identity with being Hindu, laying the groundwork for widespread cultural exclusion. Education is being reshaped to glorify a narrow vision of Vedic heritage, while erasing the histories of Mughals, Dalits, and minorities. In public spaces, "bulldozer politics" has seen Muslim homes demolished without legal recourse, and mosques replaced by temples, symbolising an attempt to erase pluralism.

This aggressive redefinition of democracy replaces constitutional values of equality and dignity with a majoritarian ethos, where dissent is criminalised and diversity is viewed as a threat. The result is a hollowed-out democracy—one where the will of the majority becomes unchecked authority, and governance turns into a tool of cultural and religious dominance. What remains is a façade of democracy that abandons the inclusive vision of India's Constitution in favour of a homogenised, exclusionary state.

Capitalism and the Economic Divide
India's economic growth, though impressive on paper—such as the 8.7% GDP rise in 2023—masks deep and growing inequality. The wealthiest 1% now hold over 42% of national wealth (Oxfam 2024), while youth unemployment stands at 23% (CMIE 2024). This gap is not accidental, but rather stems from policies that benefit large corporations while neglecting the needs of the poor. Crony capitalism has flourished, with industrialists like Gautam Adani witnessing a 230% surge in wealth since 2014, even as public spending on healthcare remains a low 1.2% of GDP (Lancet 2023). Corporate tax cuts and underfunded welfare systems have further undermined equity.

Government schemes such as PM-KISAN are increasingly politicised, used to target voter bases rather than ensure universal support. Centralised control over economic policy is weakening federal structures, silencing regional voices. Media support of the ruling elite helps maintain this narrative of inevitability and discourages dissent.

This economic inequality parallels social marginalisation. Religious minorities, especially Muslims, Christians, and Dalits, face violence, discrimination, and exclusion, while the state often looks the other way. The result is a hollowing of Indian democracy, where both economic justice and secularism are sacrificed to serve the interests of a powerful few.

Democracy Undone: Law, Culture, and Inequality 
India was founded as a democratic republic committed to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity for all citizens, regardless of caste, religion, or background. However, in recent years, these constitutional ideals have come under strain, as laws, policies, and political narratives increasingly promote a majoritarian vision that undermines secularism, pluralism, and equal citizenship.

A key example is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019, which, for the first time, made religion a criterion for Indian citizenship—excluding Muslims and violating the secular spirit of the Constitution. Similarly, so-called "Love Jihad" laws in BJP-ruled states claim to prevent forced religious conversions but have largely been used to criminalise interfaith relationships, especially targeting Muslim men. These legal changes reflect a broader trend where the law is used not to protect rights, but to exclude minorities and enforce a narrow, Hindu-majoritarian identity.

Cultural and educational institutions have also been reshaped to support this ideology. School textbooks are being revised to erase Muslim and Dalit histories while glorifying a sanitised Hindu past. Minority languages, traditions, and festivals are increasingly marginalised in public life, and displays of minority identity are often seen as unpatriotic. India's historic diversity is being flattened into uniformity, weakening democracy's capacity to accommodate difference.

Meanwhile, caste and economic inequalities remain deeply entrenched. Early post-Independence reforms aimed at social justice have stalled or been reversed. Marginalised groups, especially Dalits, still face barriers in education, employment, and political participation. Economic policies are increasingly favouring large corporations, thereby widening the wealth gap. While a few benefit from crony capitalism, millions—especially the youth—struggle with unemployment and lack of opportunity.

Freedom of expression and dissent, vital to any democracy, are also under attack. Independent journalism is being replaced by pro-government media, and surveillance and sedition laws are used to silence critics. Those who speak out are often labelled "anti-national," narrowing public debate and transforming civic spaces into tools for state control.

Conclusion
The exclusion of Dalits, Muslims, and Christians in India is not random but a planned effort reinforced through education, culture, policy, and media. School textbooks now omit vital parts of history, such as the Mughal era, caste struggles, and the role of missionaries, promoting a narrow, upper-caste Hindu narrative. Dalit Christians and Muslims are denied Scheduled Caste status, and minorities are often portrayed as "anti-national" in the media, deepening their marginalisation.

This rewriting of history casts the majority as victims and silences dissent, reinforcing Brahminical and Hindutva ideologies. It hides ongoing injustices and legitimises the continued exclusion of minority communities. The burden of proving their worth is still placed on the oppressed, while dominant powers erase their roles through distorted histories and biased systems.

True equality is impossible in a society where history is manipulated, laws favour the majority, and economic policies widen social divides. However, the spirit of resistance—seen in farmers' protests, Dalit movements, and interfaith unity—proves that democracy still lives in the people. To fulfil India's democratic promise, we need more than new laws—we need a moral and cultural awakening rooted in empathy, truth, and justice. Only then can equality be realised in everyday life, not just in legal documents.