India's problem is not Islam, it's the communal mindset that still persists today.
I dream of an India where religion is irrelevant. It should not matter if you are Muslim, Hindu, or whatever, as long as you are an Indian.
INDIA first. Everything else second.
Im new to this forum. I respect all the views but i would like to make a point that your irritation against relevance of religion in India is actually against oldest surviving customary traditions (Communalism, castes or whatever). Good thing is that they are very dynamic and keep on evolving with the changing needs of times.
This has been well emphasized in any of our so called hindu religious literature be it Chanakya, Upanishads, Gita or be it much criticized Manu smriti, that One must change according to the needs of time.
I also agree that religion is a big part of human history. We just cannot avoid it.
Christianity in India is older than Christianity of Europe. It was christianity of Europe which is rather credited with malaise of evil christianity be it in Americas or Africas. It is the European Christianity which still believes that South of the 40 degree latitude and east to the Middle east. (refering South Asia) is still in dark ages riddled with superstitious believes and rituals. (according to one Vatican archive published in one news paper sometime back). These christians are themselves involved in viscious campaign to convert very innocent, self subsisting, nature loving folks in much of the tribal belts of India. We must oppose any such moves by any religious organisations. What kind of enlightenment can anyway be justified itself by demeaning others. Hindu religion never stands for any such principles. Thats why it has respect for all the sages of all the religions. Such campaigns fuels internal grudge, but still larger hindu populace avoids getting involved in it.
On the other hand much of the mass genocide on Indian population is inflicted by muslims no doubt. Still Indian Muslim population is larger than that of Pakistan, and are living a more peaceful life in India than any other Muslim country. Pakistan on other hand a state itself formed on the foundations of Muslims religion is today contradicting on very foundations it was formed and with modern principles of democracy.
India is a land blessed with bounty of nature. Call it by a Greeky name 'Hindu' or anything, here its not about dreaming of Irrelevance of any religion but a purity and sanctity for every religion practiced on this motherland.
This is truly reflected even today's Indian Soldiers, be it Rajputana, Marathas, Gurkhas, Nagas, true to their fighting spirit and guided by their leadership away from the malaise of religious poison be it Mullah omar jihadism or George Bush's Modern Crusades.
Jai hind