Modern society is increasingly plagued by lies and misinformation, especially through social media and political rhetoric. This erosion of truth weakens democracy and fosters divisions of faith among communities.

Ironically, while religious practices and rituals are increasing, core values ​​of tolerance, empathy and coexistence are declining.

Read in Hindi: धर्म के नाम पर झूठ और कट्टरता का ‘खतरनाक’ उदय

This is further aggravated by resistance to modernising religious beliefs, says Prof Paras Nath Chaudhuri, “In contemporary society, the embrace of falsehood has infiltrated various aspects of life, leading us to enter a new paradigm where deception often replaces truth. The spread of misinformation fosters an environment in which the line between fact and fiction becomes blurred.”

This dangerous trend not only undermines democratic processes but also disrupts social cohesion. The resurgence of radicalism becomes a weapon to reinforce divisions and strengthen power dynamics. Socialist thinker Ram Kishore points out that “despite the rise in religiosity and activities surrounding it – such as yatras, parikramas, bhandaras, jagrans, marches, rallies, sloganeering and large gatherings by followers of all faiths – there has been a steep decline in the essential values ​​that promote coexistence, tolerance and character development. While religious institutions continue to proliferate and rituals flourish, the spiritual essence that these practices were designed to inculcate often falls by the wayside. Individuals appear more engaged in outward displays of faith than in the inner moral compass that guides their actions towards others.”

The transformation of faith into political ideology is particularly insidious. Followers of various religions, instead of fostering a sense of community and respect, often resort to dogmatism, using their beliefs as a means to exert dominance over others. This shift towards a more aggressive form of religiosity endangers the lives of countless people under the guise of religious propriety, says sociologist TP Srivastava.

As a result, genuine dialogue between different religions suffers, as individuals withdraw into echo chambers of their own making. Fundamentalist religious institutions cling to outdated interpretations that fail to reflect evolving human values ​​and the constant search for knowledge.

"An unwillingness to adapt doctrines to contemporary ethical standards retards social progress and impedes the potential for a more inclusive worldview," states an American author. This stagnation fosters an environment where fanaticism thrives due to fear of the unknown and a lack of understanding of other faiths.

Experience shows that the principles of compassion, love and understanding that lie at the core of most religions are routinely ignored. The competition is for dominance. Brainwashed, we succumb to double standards and allow ourselves behaviour that we condemn in others," says social activist Padmini Iyer. "This transformation requires individuals to reject falsehood and embrace truth as the cornerstone of personal and community identity."

The reality is that the rise of radicalism presents a difficult challenge that civil society must make efforts to eradicate.