Exposing Analysing and Uncovering Fake Secularism in India

“Secular” The word of 7 letters, but has a great meaning and complexity in it. It’s more famous than the seven wonders of the world. There are many concept about the word secularism around the world, but the real meaning of secularism still need to be discovered and harnessed.

• How many of us residing in India are familiar with the concept of secularism?
• How many of us have really thought about it twice?
• What is the percentage of India who knows about the word secularism?
• Do the politicians who are representing us are really aware of this word?
• Aren’t the politicians biased, and there’s always a hidden agenda based on secularism?

Be it vote bank politics based on religion, caste, sex etc, the term secularism is hampered.

Meaning of word ‘secularism’:

There are mainly two forms of secularism existing in the world. One that is practised in mostly European countries and another in India. It can be classified as;

1. Western Secularism:
Mostly practiced in Western countries or say European countries. This form of secularism is practiced in U. S. A, France etc.
Here the term Secularism means the State/ government will keep aloof from all the religious affairs. It was done to keep distance from the church.

If we look in history we will come to know that the countries like France, Italy etc were controlled by church entirely. All the political, social, economic decisions were entirely in the hands of Pope, Bishops etc. In France the Society was divided into three estates -Clergy,Novelty and Peasants.

Thus the meaning of secularism here is different. It purely denies the involvement of religion in the state matter or state matters in religion. They both are independent of each other. Secularism is influenced by the past, be East or West.

But are they really secular countries is still the question?

Let’s take U. S. A. The modern motto of the United States of America, as established in law in 1956 is “In God We Trust”. It was signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Now think about the feeling of atheists, who don’t believe in the existence of God. Is it sounding secular?
Christian Holidays are official holidays in France and Spain for public administration and Catholic school teachers are paid by the state.
Now can we say these countries are true secular countries?

2. Indian Secularism:
This is another form of secularism, where state protects and safeguard each religion. In this equal consideration is given to all religions. The constitution says the state have no religion, equal provision to each religion and no biasness. India gives right to practice, profess and propagate our religion.

Strongly condemns discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, sex and color. The state maintains equidistant from all religions. Preamble of India ensures equality of thoughts, expression ,believe, worship and faith. Everyone is free to follow any religion of his choice or remain an atheist.
While the western secularism is based on isolation, Indian secularism is based on accomodation.
But this hard question always reminds. Is India really secular?

Secularism in Pre Independence Era:

Though India was not a secular country, on paper and had no constitution in the past. Tolerance and Secularism existed in India long before independence. India was then also a tolerate society, where different religions peacefully and happily dowelled together. India had never prohibited the practice or propagation of any religion.

If it had done so, then the population of Hindus would have increased instead of decreasing. But of course there are many evidences in Indian history were Indians were forcefully converted to other religions. Sometimes they were even lured to get converted.

These all gives a clear picture that tolerance and secularism existed long before their invention and inclusion in the constitution. Secularism was uniquely practised in India.
The debate and discussion on secularism started when the seed of mutual distrust was sown during British rule. The demand for separate electorate was nodded by the British, which gave birth to present day secularism.

Secularism in post independence era:

After independence we have seen several cases of riots, violent rallies based on religious and caste based lines. People are not feeling safe at some places, there religion is under danger, people are fleeing from one place to another for a safer life. Women and men are brutally murdered because he or she belongs to a particular religion or caste.

Videos of these incidents are recorded to spread hatred among society for the benefit of handful of people. The political parties are keeping safe distance from these kind of incidents, because they know they will loose there vote bank.

Views on Secularism:

D. D Basu, an eminent writer expressed about the word secular as “vague but further added that it should be seen as republic state where equal respect for each religion”.

On January 20, 1942 Gandhi remarked while discussing the Pakistan scheme: “What conflict of interest can there be between Hindus and Muslims in the matter of revenue, sanitation, police, justice, or the use of public conveniences? The difference can only be in religious usage and observance with which a secular state has no concern”

Sardar Patel in 1950 declared that “Ours is a secular state and we can not fashion our politics in the way Pakistan is doing it. Here every Muslim should feel that he is an Indian citizen and has equal rights as an Indian“. Patel further added that “If we can not make a Muslim feel like this, we shall not be worthy of our heritage and our country“.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, in reply to K.T. Shah who wanted to include the words “secular, federal, socialist” in Article 1 of the Constitution, said, that he cannot accept the amendment of Prof. K.T. Shah. Dr. Ambedkar’s objected and stated briefly. He said “My submission is that these socialist principles are already embodied in our Constitution and it is unnecessary to accept this amendment”

India a secular state:

India became secular with the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India enacted in 1976. The Preamble to the Indian Constitution asserted that India is a secular country. This laws implicitly requires the state and its institutions to accept all religions and install parliamentary laws instead of religious laws. It also asserts to respect pluralism. However, the code of law is unequal, it varies with religion on matters of inheritance, marriage, divorce. Sharia-based Muslim Personal Law, is for Muslims, whereas Hindus, Sikh and Christians are under common law.

So again we come under the same question. Is India really secular?

What are the hindrances in the path of Indian secularism? Are we really going to be a secular country one day ? Or is there no way for us to become a true secular nation?
Any News channels you tune to, it is one way or the other related to secularism. Just look around the recent happenings in the country.

Secularism in true sense:

The true secularism is possible in India. What makes India secular or not, is we the people of the country. It entirely depends on us how we want our nation to be. If we become secular, democratic, republic and tolerant, then there’s a way for a healthy India. Just think we Indians- Hindus, Muslims, Christians , Sikh, Buddhist, Jains, Atheist etc, with thousands of languages and culture coexists together peacefully. Isn’t it good. Whereas there are many countries in the world, where there is a single religion, divided into sections are under fire.
Living in India is a boon. We should respect each other and decorate our country with the diversity we possess . India is a peace loving country and will remain so in the future too.