Hypocrisy in the name of Secularism

The wiki describes “secularism” as the assertion that governmental practices or institutions should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs. This would therefore imply that people belonging to different faiths and sections of society are equal before the law, the Constitution and government policy. It also means that there can be no mixing up of religion and politics nor can there be any discrimination against anyone on grounds of faith – this is what the Constitution makes an attempt at guaranteeing. If you accept the concept of secularism as defined then the validity of religion in the public domain and in society is necessarily limited. Individuals in society may base their values on the basis of religion but where such values impinge on society as a whole, in such cases the basis of social consensus cannot be religion - definitely not any one particular religion! Historically too, certain values in a society may have their foundation in religion but these values need to necessarily be examined in a humane spirit before they are accepted as values that will govern the functioning of modern society. With a change in times, values too change and those values which need to be adopted in a modern society become the socially accepted norm by getting political sanction. Thus sati, untouchability, child marriage have been rejected by society and laws have been passed to abolish such practices which goes to show political acceptance.

The above is the definition of secularism and my understanding of the term and its impact post independence in India. The trouble is the word secularism is bandied to such an extent, especially during times of election by politicians of different hues that the ordinary citizen is left totally confused as to its actual meaning. Each major political party has its own definition of secularism and each political party abuses the term for its own political ends.

Take for instance the Congress, the oldest political party and the one that has ruled the most post independence – is it truly secular. If you go by the definition, they definitely are not secular – they indulge in every kind of minority appeasement – in their language majority bashing is being secular! You cannot appear to go against any community or propagate and give concessions to another community – that is patently not secular according to me. In India, Secularism means “Anti-Hinduism”. Yes, the truth is harsh. But in order to appease their so-called minority vote banks, these politicians shamelessly indulge in Anti-Hindu bashing in the name of Secularism. Even if you say, “I love my religion", you are termed as communal just because you support the majority religion. The media and the politicians have been clearly brainwashing the masses with crap. To be secular, you have to keep politics away from religion, but our politicians always ask for votes based on religion. And the strategy unfortunately works always. How can the citizens of a country live peacefully when its majority gets humiliated by almost every single politician? In cosmopolitan and metropolitan cities, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians live in peace and harmony. Yes, there are some stray incidents of violence. But such incidents are rampant in almost every other country. Name one country other than India which has not initiated war against another nation, but has always been attacked and has been forced to defend itself? Take the BJP or the Right Wing Hindu political parties, they too espouse the cause of the majority – they too are patently non secular, especially those fringe parties who propagate violence in the name of Hinduism which has always been an absorbing and peaceful way of life rather than a religion. “Sanatan Dharma” means an assimilative and absorbing religion, one which is not against any religion, and a religion which has over thousands of centuries still retained its form. The BJP cannot claim to be secular as its actions and words are patently jingoistic and depend on scaring the majority into voting for them. Take the BSP or those supporting the so called backward castes, again these parties too are not secular because they seek votes based on caste. The Communist parties too are not secular because they have an anti-BJP anti-Congress and anti everything policy which trashes other party policies while having no serious forward looking ideology of their own. Based on the actual definition discussed above, which party is secular, by and large the citizens are peace loving and secular, but come elections – instigated by power hungry politicians the masses are provoked into anti-other religion mind set which sometimes results in violence. But when the elections come, leaders comes to give election speeches and end up bashing the other community for their shortcomings. Common people, how many of you truly believe that the politicians are secular. Which party is secular? The one which slaughtered a million Sikhs? The one which demolished the Babri Masjid? The one that asks votes based on caste, or the one that asks you to vote promising you quotas????? The masses should look through these short term objectives of the politicians and give a fitting reply while voting.

The media role also needs to be critically examined, specially the visual media, which has the power to reach millions of people across the length and breadth of the country. The manner in which the newscasters present the news makes one want to puke – there is no impartiality – the tone is always one of sensationalizing events – even though trivial. The same news is “breaking news” from morning till evening, sometimes even the next day. It is all about TRP’s and the News Channels are trying to become entertainment channels. Interviewers put words in the mouth of participants and then do not let them speak, if they are saying something which is against the channels philosophy. This is complete misuse and abuse of the media.

I have studied in a school which was truly secular, not once did I feel religion was an issue, it was only when I went to college, that I realized religion was an issue or the person being a “Ghati”, Madrassi”, “Gujju”, etc was more than a matter of passing interest. The politicians don’t care whether the Hindus, Muslims, or Christians live or die. All they want is votes. Today they will promise you the moon, but tomorrow, they will to just look at it and be happy. If you still believe in this so-called Secularism, you are digging your own grave. In India we practice hypocrisy and not secularism, no sir! I request you to think before voting, our great country belongs to all religions – “Sarva Dharma Sambhav”- no religion should ask for special benefits here. We need a peaceful India, not one divided on caste or religion. All religions promote peace, but certain elements in all religions want hatred. Keep these elements away and this country will always remain peaceful.