By Deepika Indsamachar bureau – Secularism term was used to separate religion from State. It was specifically used to keep Church and its interference away from the state. In 1976, during an emergency, prime-minister Indira Gandhi in most unconstitutional manner added secularism in the preamble of the constitution with 42nd amendment.
People who support this unconstitutional step, address secularism as acceptance and recognition to all religions. Going by the events after this unprecedented step, it can be said that secularism is nothing but a tool for political parties and minority institutions to abuse the constitution and suppress the majority. India is interdict to have a state religion unlike Pakistan which was created on Jinnah’s two-nation theory, Muslim state and a Hindu state. As per partition, India is supposed to be a Hindu state. Nehru-Gandhi led Congress not only went against the suggestion of mighty brains like Sardar Patel and B.R Ambedkar but also stripped Hindus of their rights in their own country. Secularism was last nail in the coffin of Hindus. Conversions of Hindus went all time high. If this continues then very soon Hindus will be minority.
Following this many anti Hindu laws are introduced by the government, especially by Congress government. These laws have taken rights from Temples, have brought Temples under state authority and money of Hindu Temples are diverted into state fund. This has led to very bad state of maintenance of the Temples. Gurukuls and Gaushalas have closed due to lack of funds. Basically, Hindu temples are made to earn money for state. Due to the state interference and interference of officials, Hindu rituals are being compromised. With the latest allegations of ex priest of Tirupati Temple it is becoming visible, how the jewellery of Hindu deities are sold for monetary gains. Non Hindus were admitted in the administration of Hindu Temples under gross violations of Temple rules.
RTE -Right to education act (where 25% of the school seats are reserved for economically challenged backgrounds) was imposed on Hindu schools and not on minority schools. This has increased the cost, as a result many schools have closed. Where as many minority schools receives funds from the government in the form of grants/aid but they are exempted to abide by RTE. These are few of the laws which are targeting majority.
A word which is supposed to detach state from religion is being used by our politicians, activists and other to defend religious extremists and thoughts. It is also seen that Secularism is only practised in Hindu majority states in India. Natives of Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits were brutally raped, killed and thrown out of their land overnight because they were minority, a different religion than majority Muslims. No one at that time said that killings and ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus should stop as India is a Secular country and religious intolerance is not acceptable. Recently, Mizoram state was in news (as per news sources) as the majority called it a Christian state and refused to accept a Hindu governor (Hindus are minority in Mizoram). A country, which is Secular, does not have a “Uniform civil code” as it can hurt religious sentiments. A country, which is Secular, has Sharia law (religious law)-used by Muslim personal law board. A country, which is Secular, funds minority religious institutions. A country, which is secular, control Hindu temples (some states divert these funds to minority run institutions).
Hindu by nature believes in Pluralism and Secular ethos of state constitution and yet secularism was brought in the constitution which is being used by political parties (which are seen as anti-Hindu). Is Secularism a tool used against Hindus? Is Secularism a tool used by anti- India forces to bring Hindus to minority, change demography and create a civil unrest? This can be debated, but it has led to tenet of anti-majority. The same tenet has led to anti India activities and illegal migration. Anti-India slogans from JNU were coming from same thought of school. Recent PIL’s by eminent lawyers and politicians in SC in support of illegal Rohingya Muslims comes from same tenet. These Rohingya Muslims are declared security threat by our intelligence agencies. Institutions are becoming obsessed with secularism, that they even support organisations or people who are threat to the security of India. They do not give room or space for any other thought. Biggest example is of a very big politician from Congress, who on the floor of the parliament, gave threat of “Blood bath” when the ruling party wanted to discuss Secularism. The statement by the eminent politician was so aggressive that it had to be expunged. When a thought or an ideology becomes intolerable, it gives birth to militancy. The way secularism is used by politicians, activists, NGO’s and even Media has made it extremist ideology. It is widely used against the majority and label majority as right wing. Whereas, so called secular lobby in India is new right. Whenever, Hindus raise their voice for their rights, they are put down citing secularism. Unfortunately, secularism in India has closed the door for any debate or discussions. This is very harmful for the country. The idea of India” that is Bharat” is lost under the garb Secularism. Is secularism in India giving birth to new militancy?
Deepika (the author, can be fallowed on her Twitter @d__dips)
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