» Yeh “Secularism” kya cheez hai? . || Satyameva Jayate ||

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Yeh “Secularism” kya cheez hai?

29 April 2011 382 views 7 Comments

Did you know that the term “Secularism” – forced into the Preamble of the Constitution by Indira Gandhi during the dark days of Emergency – has not been defined in the Constitution?

The reason?

…presumably because it is a very elastic term not capable of a precise definition and perhaps best left undefined.

These are the words of Justice P Sathasivan quoted in a recent HT news-report. Lack of definition does not prevent anyone from “interpreting” what it means…and so we have Justice Sathasivan saying:

…in Indian context secularism meant “Sarva Dharma Sambhav” ie tolerance for all religions, which springs from due deliberation for one’s own happiness and also for welfare of all beings.

Above: One of the banners seen during protests in UK against the French ban on “Hijab”

In the meantime, commentators like Sh Ram Puniyani find even “Bhoomi Puja” as an act that violates this “basic principle of Indian Constitution“. Can someone please ask Sh Puniyani where exactly does he find a definition of “Secularism” in the Constitution that would outlaw Bhumi Pujan?

Must we separate religion from politics? On Religious Freedoms and Secularism – Part I and Part II.

7 Comments »

1. Kaffir said:

Shantanu, you seem to have lately discovered two hoary anti-Hindu warhorses – Yogindar Sikand and Ram Puniyani. In my opinion, and after having come across their bigoted rants 4-5 years ago, I think it is useless to have some kind of discussion with these two idiots. The irony is that despite their very Hindu-sounding names (Yogi & Ram), these two will not find anything good in Hinduism.

And it goes without saying that “secularism” in India is just another religious dogma, swallowed by the so-called liberals with no critical analysis.

29 April 2011

2. Sid said:

This is not the only problem with secularism. When secularists say that all religions are same, everybody must have full permission to practice whatever religions they want and state must be independent of the religion they leave the definition of religion simply omitted. What happens then is that everybody comes up with his/her own definition of religion and secularists, without seeing how individual demands contradict their fundamental principles, goes on to support the individual claim. Soon it degrades into what we call minority appeasement.

29 April 2011

3. Jayant said:

@Kaffir,

Yoginder Sikand is a muslim while Ram Puniyani is a zoroastrian. Why do you think it is ironical that they do not find anything good in Hinduism?

30 April 2011

4. Prem said:

Just a correction:

“Sarva Dharma Sambhaav” does not mean tolerance for every religion, it means “all religions are equal”, and yes, there is huge difference between the two statements. “Sambhaav” means “samaan bhaav/feeling”. To give you an example, tolerance would mean allowing forcible conversion in a society, if allowed in a religion, or for that matter killing a human being if he chooses to leave his current religion just because that is prohibited in his current religion. Sambhaav is treating everyone equally with probably a common civil code which would over ride religious edicts, whenever in conflict.

1 May 2011

5. Kaffir said:

Jayant, I wasn’t aware of Ram Puniyani’s religion and it’s good to know that many such people with Hindu names and anti-Hindu views are actually not Hindus.

2 May 2011

6. Dinesh said:

Furthering freedom of expression ….by covering the face

Sam Harris Appears In – Should The Burqa Be Banned
Watch the points presented by Egyptian Journalist. The Right in Islam doesn’t allow Left in Islam to speak.

3 May 2011

7. ARUN said:

Ram Puniyani and Yoginder Sikand are both fiercely anti-Hindu.Their writings and numerous articles prove they belong to the “axis of evil” anti-Bharat/Hindu lobby of ‘Muslims,Christians and Communists’.They are actually funded by The Congress party which gives oxygen,water,beef biryani, 5star jail facilities to jihadis like Ajmal Kasab.Don’t go by their Hindu names, they are active assistants of publishing ‘jihadi’ propaganda.Their writings are not based on facts,but are purely anti-Hindu propaganda.They write all this to simply boost the Muslim jihadi behaviour and suppress legitimate Hindu aspirations.
REMEMBER IF LOOKS CAN BE DECEPTIVE, SO NAMES TOO CAN BE DECEPTIVE.

16 June 2011