Final answer:
The expression that in India, religion is worn 'in a scabbard at the hip' means that religion is openly practiced and ready to be called upon. This metaphor reflects the public and integrated nature of religious identity within the Indian cultural and social landscape.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Rushdie describes that in India, religion is worn "in a scabbard at the hip," it denotes the idea that religious belief and practice are openly carried and always ready to be wielded or displayed, similar to how a sword would be carried in a scabbard for immediate use. The scabbard metaphor highlights the visibility and readiness of religion in everyday life. Considering India's rich religious diversity, religion's integration into public life is evident, with about 80 percent of the population following Hindu traditions, and Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and animist religions also being present.
Religion, as defined by various scholars such as Clifford Geertz and Émile Durkheim, is a complex system of beliefs, symbols, and practices that convey a deep sense of meaning, identity, and order to its adherents. It's a social institution that defines what people consider to be sacred or spiritually significant and is practiced openly in a group setting, contributing to both individual and group identities.