Secularism is the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. The Government respects all religions. It does not uplift or degrade any particular religion. There is no such thing as a state religion for India. In SR Bommai vs UOI (1994) the Supreme Court of India held, “A state which does not recognise any religion as the state religion, it treats all religions equally”. Positively, Indian secularism guarantees equal freedom to all religion. It stands for the right to freedom of religion for all citizens.
(Excerpt from Wikipedia in reference to the Preamble to the Constitution of India.)
In one of my earlier writings (Are we really Independent? – March 22, 2016) I have referred to the Indian Constitution as a “paper tiger”. This does not imply any disrespect whatsoever but only displays my views at how the Constitution has been ineffective in deterring its own misuse and/or abuse.
I would like to point out to all the fascist right wingers that though the Constitution is a paper tiger, it is a tiger nonetheless. And tigers are a power to reckon with. There’s no messing with a tiger. (In saying ‘fascist right wingers’ I would like to add: If the shoe fits, wear it!)
Right from childhood I have been brought up in an environment that has been conducive to peace and harmony. As a Catholic living in Goa and subsequently in Mumbai and now back in Goa, I have not only been exposed to festivals and traditions of my own faith but all other religions. It has been such a wonderful experience celebrating Christmas, Diwali, Eid, etc. with friends of mixed faiths. I have even had my Hindu and Muslim friends help me make the traditional Christmas crib. I have lent a helping hand in building the Narkasur during the Diwali celebrations, and participated in Eid celebrations with my Muslim friends. There has never been an instance where anyone has displayed any malice. Till date some of my best friends are Hindus and Muslims and we get along beautifully.
Now what utterly disgusts me is the fact that somehow the word “secular” has lost all meaning, or rather, it has been assigned a whole new meaning. It seems that secular now means that the country and the citizens should follow only one particular religion or suffer consequences like riots, protests, and/or worst of all being called outsiders. All these anti-social and anti-secularism individuals and groups have been so very freely molesting the peace and harmony loving fabric of the nation.
All religions and faiths follow the doctrine of peace, love and of unity amongst all. The destination is one but the routes we take are different.
The only remedy to this is that the sleeping tiger that is our Indian Constitution powered by the correct people and the Supreme Court be awakened and should bite these disharmony causing factions where it hurts the most. These peace-hating groups and individuals should be rounded up and taught a lesson in civics.
And it should be made clear to all that Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, etc. are all faiths; and we all belong to only one Religion in the true sense: Humanity.
