For long, societies have been described as melting pots and salad bowls.
The first encourage immigrants to fuse into a dominant culture; in the second, immigrants retain their own characteristics while integrating into a new society.
India is apparently neither, according to a new study by US-based Pew Research Center. The non-profit fact tank has released this comprehensive survey on religion in India after talking to some 30,000 people in 17 languages. Hindus make up 80% of the population, while Muslims comprise 14%.
When it comes to religion, the study finds that Indians of all faiths support, at once, religious tolerance and religious segregation.
The majority (84%) say that "respect" for other religions is an important part of their identity and to being truly Indian.
Yet a substantial number of them do not want neighbours who belong to another religion, and are opposed to interfaith and inter-caste marriages. They also prefer making friends within their own religious community.
"This points to a unique understanding of plurality of Indian society - it is more like a thali (an Indian meal comprising a selection of separate dishes served on a platter), rather than a melting pot," says Neha Sahgal, one of the lead authors of the study.
The religious life of Indians - key findings
64% Hindus say it is very important to be Hindu to be 'truly Indian'
Roughly two-thirds of Hindus want to prevent interfaith marriages of Hindu women or men; even larger shares of Muslims feel similarly
36% Hindus do not want a Muslim as a neighbour
53% of adults say religious diversity benefits India
97% Indians say they believe in God and roughly 80% people in most religious groups say they are absolutely certain that God exists
Source: joker game