Since the BJP government came into power, we have witnessed a rise in the call for a Civilizational State. However, this advocacy appears to be merely superficial. The crucial question is: Why haven\'t we been able to embed this voice among the youth and within academia? In my attempt to understand this, I have identified several key reasons where we are lacking. Additionally, I will draw comparisons with the Western approach to highlight our shortcomings.

First and foremost, the academic foundation of India is not rooted in Indian wisdom. Our education system, particularly in the humanities, relies heavily on frameworks and values derived from the Western value system. This is the first significant disconnect we observe. The lack of integration of indigenous values and knowledge systems in the curriculum creates a chasm between contemporary Indian education and its rich civilizational heritage.

This disconnect is further exacerbated by the attitudes and policies adopted post-independence. The influence of socialism and leftist academicians convinced the leaders of that era that Bharat\'s ancient wisdom was somewhat regressive and should have less emphasis in our curriculum. Hence, they found it preferable to rely entirely on Western values and their educational frameworks. This reliance resulted in a systematic sidelining of our own civilizational knowledge, leading to a pervasive disconnect that continues to this day.

By deliberately setting aside our indigenous thoughts and wisdom, we ceased to research and reinvigorate Indian values. Consequently, these values became less relevant in addressing today\'s societal challenges. On the one hand, we neglected the research and development of our own value systems and thoughts; on the other hand, we overemphasized solving societal problems using frameworks rooted in Western values, which have little connection to the thoughts and soil of India.

Moreover, there is a significant lack of academic research outside the mainstream Indian education system on developing Dhārmic values, thoughts, and ideas. This lack of research further marginalizes our own civilizational thoughts and wisdom. The absence of a robust research culture focused on Indian knowledge systems prevents these ideas from gaining the academic legitimacy and rigor they deserve.

To illustrate the stark contrast, consider the reading list of Oxford University\'s Philosophy, Politics, and Economy (PPE) undergraduate course. This program prepares students by recommending extensive readings on democracy, thereby solidifying the values and beliefs of those students in democratic roots. This rigorous academic grounding ensures that students develop a strong ideological foundation rooted in Western democratic principles.

In contrast, no Indian university places a similar emphasis on knowledge based on India\'s own wisdom and values. We lack rigorous books and treatises on \"Civilizational Democracy\" from an Indian perspective in our academia. This deficiency means that our students do not receive an education that is contextualized within Indian philosophical and civilizational frameworks.

To address this gap, we need more rigorous academic works that interpret values such as justice, equality, and liberty from a truly Indian perspective. This foundation will be relevant to India as it will contextualize academic terms and concepts within the Indian experience. By doing so, we can create a base of intellectuals who are not dependent on Western perspectives. Instead, they will have the ability to critically examine both Western and Indian value systems. This approach will cultivate a new and robust generation of Dhārmic intellectuals.

In conclusion, we can say that the advocacy for a Civilizational State in India remains superficial because of deep-rooted issues in our academic and educational frameworks. By prioritizing Western values and neglecting our own civilizational wisdom, we have created a disconnect that hinders the development of a strong ideological foundation rooted in Indian philosophy. To overcome this, we must integrate Indian knowledge systems into our education and research, thereby nurturing intellectuals who can carry forward the legacy of our civilization in a contemporary context. This transformation is essential for the advocacy of a Civilizational State to take root and flourish in Indian society.