Lastly, discussions of diversity should not stop at representational issues. We also need to think of ways to protect diversity of lifestyles. Often, nationalism is an obstacle in diverse lifestyles. Indian nationalism was aware of this danger and its early leadership tried to avoid the rise of a homogenising nationalism.

Capitalism produces the anti-diversity effect without engaging in any formal discourse of homogenisation. It reduces the diversity of cultures, lifestyles and choices. Any diversity audit must consider ways to assess the space for diversity of life styles.

As democracy becomes more entrenched, there is a danger that it will become only procedural and formal. Efforts to make it more substantive must address the issue of diversity. This alone can ensure the deepening of democracy as a norm that governs social relations. It is necessary that we evolve public awareness of the symbiotic relationship between democracy and diversity and develop an institutional mechanism to monitor and audit diversity in our public life.

The writer teaches political science at the University of Pune