Role of Religion in Political Campaigns: What It Means for Indian Voters in 2025
Religion and politics have often walked hand-in-hand in India. In the lead-up to every major election, religious issues find their way into political speeches, banners, and rallies. But in 2025, the connection between the two is being debated more than ever.
With Lok Sabha elections just around the corner and state polls heating up, religion continues to be used as a tool to win votes. The question is: Is this helping democracy or dividing it further?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Why Religion Still Matters in Politics
In India, religion is not just a belief — it’s part of daily life. Politicians know this well. That’s why many of them bring up temples, gods, and religious customs in their campaigns. The idea is simple: connect with the people’s emotions and gain trust.
Some parties openly talk about building temples, promoting one religion’s traditions, or protecting religious values. Others may highlight how their opponents ignore or hurt religious sentiments. This often helps politicians build a loyal vote bank based on shared beliefs.
Recent Examples in India
In the 2024 general elections, we saw major political parties use religious themes in a big way. The inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya was highlighted by some leaders as a major achievement. Campaign slogans and speeches mentioned “Hindutva,” and rallies were organized around temple towns.
On the other side, minority communities raised concerns about feeling excluded or targeted. Laws like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and discussions around “love jihad” and “land jihad” sparked debates about religious discrimination.
In states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, political leaders often visited temples and gurudwaras, showing their connection to specific religious groups. In some places, religious heads even announced public support for certain parties, giving their followers a clear signal.
Role of Social Media
Social media has become a major battlefield for political campaigns. Unfortunately, religion is often used here to spread hate or misinformation. Fake news, edited videos, and polarizing messages are shared widely — especially during election time.
Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and YouTube have seen a rise in religious content linked to politics. This includes videos promoting one religion while criticizing others. While some of it is harmless, many posts are designed to create fear or anger.
The Election Commission has taken action in some cases, but the spread of such content is hard to fully control.
What Do Experts Say?
Experts believe that while religion is a part of Indian society, using it in politics can be dangerous. It may bring short-term votes, but it divides people in the long run.
In a democracy like India, leaders should focus more on issues like jobs, education, healthcare, and inflation. When religion becomes the main topic in elections, real problems often take a backseat.
Some social activists and former judges have even called for stricter rules to keep religion out of political speeches and advertisements.
What Voters Can Do
As a voter, the power is in your hands. Before choosing a leader, ask yourself:
- Are they solving real issues in your area?
- Are they talking more about religion than development?
- Are they promoting unity or division?
It’s important to stay informed and not fall for emotional appeals or fake social media posts. India is home to many religions, and our strength lies in respecting each other.
Final Words
Religion will likely continue to play a role in political campaigns in India. But how much influence it has depends on us — the voters.
Political leaders may use religion to connect with people, but voters must look beyond it and choose leaders who truly care about their future.
For more political updates and in-depth coverage, visit Chiangrai Times — your trusted platform for real news and analysis.
