The image beside this text is the Preamble to the Constitution of India. The absence of the word "secular" is conspicuous and completely in sync with what this nation is supposed to represent. (Click on the image for a magnified version)
Literal meaning of secular :
"NOT CONCERNED WITH RELIGION"
Now read the following text (courtesy wikipedia):
The word secular was inserted into the Preamble by the 42nd amendment act of 1976, during emergency. It implies equality of all religions and religious tolerance. India, therefore does not have an official state religion. Every person has the right to preach, practice and propagate any religion they choose. The government must not favor or discriminate against any religion. It must treat all religions with equal respect. All citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs are equal in the eyes of law. No religious instruction is imparted in government or government-aided schools. Nevertheless, general information about all established world religions is imparted as part of the course in Sociology, without giving any importance to any one religion or the others. The content presents the basic/fundamental information with regards to the fundamental beliefs, social values and main practices and festivals of each established world religions. The Supreme Court in S.R Bommai v. Union of India held that secularism was an integral part of the basic structure of the constitution.
Literally speaking there is nothing wrong with the text. But now, sit back for minute and re-arrange all your ideas about the effect that word "secular" has on your thought patterns. And then analyse this content all over again.
Are we still secular?
The fundamental issue with democracy is that it assumes people are good and will follow evrything .. which will *never* be the case. So democracy will never succeed.
ReplyDeleteWhat is needed is a government system which acknowledges that people are corrupted :)