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The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Secularism — implicit from day one, explicit in 1976
'God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. Yet his shadow still looms…', said Friedrich Nietzsche. As many as 66 Constitutions make some reference to God in their Preamble. True, Nehru led from the front in India's adoption of secularism. He explicitly said in his autobiography of how what he called 'organized religion' filled him 'with horror... almost always it seemed to stand for a blind belief and reaction, dogma and bigotry, superstition and exploitation'. Nehru's strong views on religion did play a significant role in India's choice of secular polity. Unlike today's politicians, he did not need religion to succeed in politics. Though the Supreme Court has said more than once that the term secular in India does not connote either strict separation between religion and state like in France or the non-establishment of religion like in the United States, the debate on the artificial imposition of secularism during the Emergency and the urgent need for its deletion continues though Indian secularism is rooted in Emperor Ashoka's Dhamma and is consistent with noble ideals of India's freedom struggle. Article 51A(b) makes it a fundamental duty of every citizen 'to cherish and uphold noble ideals which inspired our national struggle for freedom'. Secularism was one such ideal. Secularism spells autonomy The advocates of Hindutva think that minorities have got some special privileges through secularism and that the time has come to bring an end to neutrality of the state in religious matters. Unfortunately, supporters of a theocratic state do not understand that secularism is basically good for religions as it protects religions from state domination and interference. Religions remain independent and autonomous under secularism. If a religion becomes state religion, the state takes over the control of such religion. Our secularism ensures autonomy of the Hindu religion and the proponents of Hindutva must understand this. Has not Islam been destroyed through various so-called Islamic states? Mahmud Ghazni and Illtutmish defied the caliph and assumed the title of king . Zawabit or state-made laws prevailed over Shariah during medieval India. Did not Henry VIII defy Papal authority just to marry Anne Boleyn and create the Anglican Church with the King as its head. In the consecration of the Ram temple in January 2024, the state's decision prevailed over the theological view of the Shankaracharyas. The state, not religion, decided what is auspicious. Is the salvation of souls really the mandate of a modern state? British Political theorist John Locke in his famous 'A Letter Concerning Toleration' (1689) forcefully said no because the state was brought into existence only for 'procuring, preserving, and advancing' citizens' civil interests. Care of souls, he argued, was not given to the state because the state consists of only outward force while religion consists of the inward persuasion of mind. Roger Williams, the founder of Rhode Island, favoured separation of the church from the state to protect the garden of the church from the 'wilderness of secular order'. Secularism could triumph in the 18th century because reason triumphed over religions. While secularism is nothing but an idea of modernity, a non-secular theocratic state is the relic of the past. Even if we are fed up with modernity, the moot question is this: should we become a Saudi Arabia, an Iran or a Pakistan? An overwhelming majority of Hindus do not want to emulate these regressive countries. The importance of the Ashokan edicts Should we reject secularism because this term was not used in the original Constitution? To say that India's Constitution became secular in 1976 is a blatant lie. Like several other things borrowed from Ashoka the Great who ruled from 268-232 BC, the seeds of Indian secularism too can be traced back to Ashokan edicts. Rajeev Bhargava has written extensively on the significance of these edicts. Rejecting the idea of one particular religion as a state religion, Rock Edict 7 said that all religions should reside everywhere, for all of them desire self-control and purity of heart. One of the biggest problems of today's India is hate speech. Rock Edict 12 prohibited glorification of one's religion and condemnation of others' religions. Ashoka's dhamma was not religion but the principles of governance, i.e., constitutional morality and ethics that a king must follow. He favoured the acceptance and co-existence of different religions and went beyond mere toleration. The Motilal Nehru Committee's constitution (1928) which was the first attempt to draft the Constitution clearly stated in Clause 4(11) that 'there shall be no state religion for the Commonwealth of India or for any province in the Commonwealth, nor shall the state either directly or indirectly endow any religion or give any preference or impose any disability on account of religious belief or religious status'. The Karachi Resolution of the Congress in 1931 which presented the blueprint of a future Swaraj in Resolution no 2(9), specifically declared that the 'state shall maintain neutrality in regard to all religions'. Even the Hindu Mahasabha's draft constitution of 1944 with V.D. Savarkar's blessings too declared in explicit terms in Article 7(15) that 'there shall be no state religion or either centre or provinces.'. Why do we refuse to follow even Savarkar? On October 17, 1949 when the Preamble of the Constitution was under discussion in the Constituent Assembly, H.V. Kamath proposed that the Preamble should begin with the words 'in the name of God'. We should thank god that in an overwhelmingly religious country, god lost by 17 votes in a tally of 68 to 41. Similarly, the word 'secular' was not specifically included; yet, members, in one voice, spoke of it being a fait accompli of a liberal democratic constitution and consistent with the ideals of our freedom struggle. No member of the Constituent Assembly ever proposed a Hindu Rashtra including Syama Prasad Mookerjee. Three years prior to the insertion of the word secular, the Supreme Court had held secularism to be the basic structure in the Kesavananda Bharati case (1973). Silences of the Constitution are equally important. For instance, the words federal, judicial review, rule of law too have not been used in the Constitution. But these ideas have rightly been held as part of the basic structure. On the jurisdiction model If we are really fed up with the separation model of secularism, we should consider the jurisdiction model. We have several options from modern democracies. Certainly, we may declare in the Constitution that Hinduism (not Hindutva) is the dominant spiritual heritage of India — just like in England where the Anglican Church is the official Church of England and the king is the defender of faith but recognises equal rights to all citizens ensuring freedom of religion and prohibiting all discriminations on the basis of religion. The Irish Constitution is another model. Its Preamble begins with the name of the Most Holy Trinity, but the state cannot endow any religion or discriminate on religious grounds. Article 3 of the Greek Constitution declares the Greek Orthodox Church as the dominant religion. The opening words of the Preamble are – 'In the name of Holy, Consubstantial and Undivided Trinity'. But Article 4 talks of the right to equality. Article 5(2) guarantees the right to life, liberty and honour without any discrimination based on religion and gives freedom of religion to all faiths. Muslims of Western Thrace in fact have the right to elect their own Mufti (religious and judicial officer) and their disputes are resolved in accordance with Islamic law. They have an option of either using civil courts or sharia courts. Article 2 of Pakistan's Constitution declares Islam as the state religion. Only a Muslim can occupy high constitutional office. But even the Preamble itself explicitly lays down that the 'adequate provision shall be made for the minorities freely to profess, practice freedom of religion and develop their culture'. Moreover Article 36 again says that the state shall safeguard the legitimate rights and the interests of minorities including their due representation in the federal and provincial services. Accordingly, the Constitution makes a provision of reservation for them. Though Article 9 of the Sri Lankan Constitution falls short of declaring Buddhism as state religion, it does give 'Buddhism' the 'foremost place' and places an obligation on the state to protect and foster Buddha Sasna. Of course, it not only guarantees freedom of religion but (unlike India) in Article 10, explicitly gives 'freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief of his choice'. Minorities are governed by their personal laws and sharia courts function within the premises of regular courts and High Courts. Our secularism based on Ashoka's Dhamma was designed to allow people to live together in civility and promote equal respect for all religions. The state must remain religion neutral. India's opposition to Pakistan was based on the separation of religion and state. The framers of the Constitution too intended a secular state, and not a theocratic state. Even the Bharatiya Janata Party has been insisting on its opposition to the Congress's negative secularism and used to promise positive secularism. If what was implicit from day one was merely made explicit in 1976, 'Humgama Hai Ku barpa (what is the fuss about')? Faizan Mustafa is a Constitutional Law expert and presently serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Chanakya National Law University, Patna, Bihar. The views expressed are personal
Time of India
10-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Kashi aglow with spirituality; hundreds throng ghats, ashrams on Guru Purnima
1 2 3 4 5 6 Varanasi: The holy city of Varanasi reverberated with spiritual fervour on Thursday as Guru Purnima was commemorated with immense enthusiasm. As the sun rose, devotees from far and wide congregated at revered temples and ashrams, seeking the blessings of their revered gurus and spiritual mentors. In tandem, the Buddhist community observed Dhammachakkappavattana Day with great fervour at the esteemed Mulagandha Kuti Vihara in Sarnath, paying homage to the timeless wisdom of the Dhamma on the auspicious occasion of Ashadha Purnima." The ghats of the Ganga were bathed in a divine aura as throngs of devotees gathered to perform sacred pujas and rituals, their prayers and hymns merging with the gentle flow of the river. Spiritual discourses and soul-stirring bhajan sessions resonated through the city, as seekers of truth paid homage to their revered gurus. Guru Purnima in Varanasi was a testament to the city's enduring reverence for its spiritual luminaries, its ancient traditions and its timeless quest for spiritual enlightenment. " The revered Aghor Peeth in Kashi, a spiritual haven nestled along the sacred Ganges, was abuzz with devotion as thousands of devotees flocked to Baba Kinaram Sthal, Kreem-Kund, to pay homage to the saints and gurus. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ditch the cinema with boAt Boat Buy Now Undo The samadhis of illustrious aghoris, including the revered Baba Kinaram, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva, were lavishly decorated, exuding an aura of spirituality. The Aghor throne, graced by the presence of Aghoracharya Maharajshri Baba Siddharth Gautam Ram Ji Maharaj, was a magnet for devotees seeking blessings. Meanwhile, Shri Vidya Math at Kedar Ghat, Padao Ashram, Annapurna Mandir, and other revered mutts and ashrams, were also thronged by devotees eager to pay their respects to their gurus. As the sun rose over the ghats, the city of Kashi came alive with the sound of prayers and chanting, with long queues of devotees forming outside the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and other sacred sites. Guru Purnima was also celebrated in the adjoining districts. Crowds of people were seen at Aghoracharya Baba Kinaram Janseva Sansthan Devsthanam at Muriar village in the Saidpur area of Ghazipur district to take blessings of Guru Dharmarakshit Ram. The local administration and police made adequate security arrangements along the ghats and other places of gathering to maintain peace. Meanwhile, Buddhists celebrated Ashadha Purnima in Sarnath with great enthusiasm and devotion to mark the first sermon delivered by Lord Buddha after attaining enlightenment. Devotees from various parts of the world gathered in Sarnath to participate in the celebrations. The day began with prayers and meditation sessions, followed by a series of religious discourses.
Deccan Herald
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Prakash Ambedkar takes a dig at BJP and Congress
The 70-year-old accused the parties of not only removing the symbols of Buddha's teachings and Dhamma, but also the symbols chosen by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar.
India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"You are not workers of an ordinary party": Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addresses BJP's state executive meeting in Patna ahead of Bihar polls
Patna (Bihar) [India], July 2 (ANI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Bharatiya Janata Party's state executive meeting in Patna, Bihar, and boosted the morale of party workers on Wednesday, ahead of the Bihar Assembly Elections. Rajnath Singh said that the Indian public had lost trust in some leaders, but the BJP had taken the challenge hands-on. 'You are not workers of an ordinary party. In independent India, you have seen that due to a difference between leaders' words and deeds, the public slowly lost trust in Indian politicians. But you can thump your chest and say if any party has accepted the challenge amid this distrust, that is Bharatiya Janata Party,' Singh said. He added that the government has fulfilled all the promises made in the manifesto. Rajnath Singh said, 'We have fulfilled all our promises made during the elections. In the third term of PM Modi, four years are still left, so this should also be taken into consideration.' Speaking about Bihar's culture, he said that the backdrop installed during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting featured Nalanda University, and he also gifted a Madhubani painting to his Chinese counterpart, General Dong Jun. The Defence Minister said, 'Before coming to Bihar, I got an opportunity to be part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. Very few people are aware that the backdrop installed during the meeting featured Nalanda University. Bihar serves as a bridge between Indian and Chinese cultures. Following a bilateral meeting with China, I presented a Madhubani painting, titled 'Tree of Life', to the Chinese Defence Minister. When I stayed in Patna, I thought of the Tree of Life, and I can see that the BJP is also like a tree, with party workers strengthening its roots. BJP has become the world's largest party.' Noting Bihar's history and contributions to the world, he said, 'It is written that Patna is the land of wise people, which Lord Vishwakarma made to showcase his skills before Lord Brahma. This is Patliputra, from where Samrat Ashoka disseminated the message of peace and Dhamma to the world. This is the land where Chanakya created the principles of politics and Aryabhatta made India a 'Vishwaguru' in Astronomy and Mathematics.' He asked the party workers to draw inspiration from Bihar's history and work towards the upcoming state assembly polls. 'You all are not ordinary workers; you are the creators of Golden Bihar. This is the moment when, getting inspired by your history, you will work towards the upcoming elections. This is not just a party meeting, but a resolution meeting, and this resolution will take Bihar and India forward,' he said. Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. In the current Bihar Assembly, comprising 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U) having 45, HAM(S) having 4, and the support of 2 Independent Candidates. The Opposition's INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by the Congress with 19, the CPI(ML) with 11, the CPI(M) with 2, and the CPI with 2. (ANI)
Bangkok Post
27-06-2025
- General
- Bangkok Post
Monk urges respect after ‘amulet cookies' controversy
BANGKOK – Renowned Buddhist monk Phra Phayom Kalayano has spoken out against a viral bakery trend involving cookies shaped like sacred Buddhist amulets, urging the public to refrain from actions that could be seen as disrespectful to religion. The controversy emerged after a Facebook page belonging to a bakery posted images of cookies crafted in the likeness of various Buddhist amulets. The post was captioned with the message: 'Not a burden to anyone, except to the sacred. ''Mindful Cookies' made from real butter and sweet-sour fruit pulp,' it continued. 'Blessed to fill your stomach and ward off hunger, with bonus incense sticks and a 'get-rich' serial number — but don't tell anyone.' 'This is the result of people being overly playful — so playful that they fail to recognise what is sacred and what is not,' Phra Phayom said. 'Turning sacred objects into novelties or consumables is not new, but it reflects a disturbing normalisation of disrespect. Still, those who hold true reverence for the Dhamma will remain steadfast. We must not let such gimmicks undermine our faith.' He continued: 'People should be free to express themselves, but not to the extent that it insults or degrades religion. Doing so can have lasting consequences. Playing with what is sacred and dragging it down is not only inappropriate but potentially harmful to one's own future.' Phra Phayom noted that the popularity and value of sacred amulets have recently declined due to economic hardship, but emphasised that this should not justify turning them into novelty items. 'People who revere amulets may feel deeply offended. We should all exercise empathy — imagine how we'd feel if our own parents or respected figures were mocked in such a way. That would surely lead to conflict and broken relationships.' He further warned that while amulets are meant for worship and spiritual connection, turning them into playful or edible objects erodes the foundations of respect.
