In view of the recent statement of the Minister of State for Culture of the Modi government it has to be made clear that the Constitution is central to the soul of India. It is not the Bhagwad Gita, or Quran or the Bible that has any importance for the governance of India. It has also to be made clear that India is a secular country, having no connection with any religion.
Basic knowledge of the Constitution should be incorporated in schools as that will enable children to know the fundamental rights enshrined in it, the fundamental duties to the nation, the role of the executive, legislature and the judiciary, powers of the chief minister, ministers and legislators or Members of Parliament, the significance of Panchayati Raj and duties of village panchayats.
We elect representatives who are not fit for governance. Political society also, without knowledge of the Constitution, makes unwanted racial or communal remarks. In Goa too, we do not have basic knowledge of our rights and duties and hence the plunder and the loot of our villages goes on with the help of elected representatives and representatives of village panchayats.
In April this year, the US panel on religious freedom slammed India for religious intolerance and asked the US government to convey to the BJP government to stop the campaign of Ghar Wapsi and continuing attacks on Christians. The remarks made by ministers of the Modi government are echoed throughout the world, and the media takes note of such remarks. How many times will PM Modi will say India is secular, and how many times will foreign governments listen to our PM?
The international community is a body of world governments which acts in the functioning of other governments if there are political repressions, communal divide, abuse of human rights or religious intolerance. Should any other member of the international community label India for religious intolerance, it will not be a good sign for a progressive country like ours. Modi should take the initiative of silencing those of his colleagues who act in a manner that brings down the prestige of India.
