Crossword Genius

Sun worshipper perhaps again leaving India, under pressure (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pagan

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'sun worshipper' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?

'again leaving india under pressure' is the wordplay.
'leaving' is a deletion indicator.
'india' becomes 'i' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'under' says to put letters next to each other (in a down clue, some letters go below others).
'pressure' becomes 'p' (abbreviation).
'again' with 'i' taken away is 'agan'.
'agan' put after 'p' is 'PAGAN'.

'perhaps' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pagan that I've seen before include "Not conventionally religious" , "A heathen, not a Christian" , "Unchristian" , "Heathen; non-believer" , "One outside the main religions" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app