Jaipur, March 14 -- Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said that attempts to establish India as a "Hindu nation" and portray Muslims as enemies while building national identity upon such a foundation would fragment the country into at least 43 separate states.

While attending an event organised at Kanodia College on the theme 'Future of India: Pseudo Hindutva or Secular Bharat?' here, he also called for sustained dialogue with Pakistan.

Highlighting India's religious diversity, Aiyar said the country cannot survive if built on a foundation of exclusion. He noted that while Hindus form an overwhelming majority, Muslims make up the largest minority at around 20 crore, with another five crore belonging to o...