Modern Institutions and Cultural Spaces

Abstract

This section ties together Gupta’s life-long research and ideology to his vision for India. He discusses the concepts of space and non-space and posits the nation state as a cultural space. Gupta underlines the distinction between secularism and secularization and argues that in India, secularization is still at a very unfinished state. While we have a democratic system, citizenship and modernity have not progressed. The deification of politicians in Tamil Nadu is discussed. When politicians start patronizing religious functions and use religious symbols in public acts, secularization is compromised to indulge in the politics of majoritarinism and minoritism. India is progressive in intent but it is compromising in deed. The goals of citizenship move ahead, once a victory is achieved, new obstacles appear.