Sunday, November 10th, 2024

Swaminomics: There is nothing un-Indian about secularism, there were many changes that are illegal today!


Swaminathan S Anklesaria Iyer
Is secularism a European concept that has no place in India? Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi recently shocked everyone by saying that secularism is a European concept which has no place in India. This is part of an attack on the ‘colonial mentality’. This mentality is believed to have been formed due to a thousand years of slavery under Muslim and Christian conquerors. Now Congress has adopted it.

Tamil Nadu Governor commented on secularism

Governor R. was appointed by the NDA government at the Centre. N. Ravi has rightly said that the words ‘secular’ and ‘socialist’ were added to the Constitution through a constitutional amendment during the Emergency in 1976. We should remove that entry at all costs. This will not change the basic principle of the Constitution of no discrimination on the basis of religion, caste, sex or place of birth. It involves going far beyond secularism to include liberty, equality and fraternity.

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Mention of secularism in the Constitution

The Constitution was drafted by Indians who wanted to combine the best of ancient traditions with wise modern traditions. The drafters explicitly rejected many of the discriminatory beliefs contained in the ancient texts. he/she was proud of driving out European conquerors, but he/she also stressed the need to reform faulty traditions. he/she rejected narrow traditions and adopted the principle of universal rights. It is insulting to call this ‘colonial mentality’.

What did RN Ravi say, which sparked debate

Ravi said, ‘In Europe, secularism emerged when there was a fight between the church and the king and this concept was developed to end this conflict.’ This will surprise history students. The slogan of ‘liberty, equality, fraternity’, which also includes secularism, came not from some medieval bargain on the part of kings but from the European Enlightenment. It was this set of ideas that inspired the American Revolution of 1776 and the French Revolution of 1789. Does Ravi want India to reject liberty, equality and fraternity because these ideals have European roots, and are not mentioned in Manu Smriti or the Dharmashastras?

When there was no time for secularism

Do they see no philosophical, cultural or moral value beyond the ancient Hindu traditions? All ancient religious traditions – Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jewish – attempted various forms of discrimination. But later nations around the world recognized the need to move toward universal, non-discriminatory values. The Constitution does this for India also. The early Islamic conquerors of the Middle East converted by the sword, but they had no time for secularism.

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Mention of discrimination based on caste and religion

Historically, Hindus accepted the Laws of Manu, which discriminated against lower castes, tribals, non-Hindus, and women. The Dharmashastras prescribed punishments for violating caste norms, with extraordinary punishment for upper caste women who dared to have sex with lower caste men. Non-Hindus were called ‘Mlechchha’, who were barbarians who could not be socialized with. The theory of karma was used to justify the miserable condition of the poor and lower castes as due punishment for sins committed in a previous life.

Secularism is not an Indian idea – RN Ravi

Yet today almost all countries support the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights ensuring universality and non-discrimination. Ravi says that secularism is not an ‘Indian’ idea, but praises religion. But do they accept Dronacharya’s asking of the tribal youth Ekalavya to cut off his/her thumb to ensure the superiority of the Kshatriyas over the tribals? And what about the Shudra Shambuk being given death sentence for daring to recite shlokas reserved for Brahmins?

Discussion on many issues is necessary

Do they want a return to practices that are illegal today? The Constitution was written by proud Indians who fought and defeated European colonialism, yet found much of value in European ideas. Modernizers included not only atheists like Jawaharlal Nehru, but also devout Hindus from Rajendra Prasad to C. Rajagopalachari, the famous translator of the Mahabharata.

What was the thinking of Gandhi to Shyama Prasad Mukherjee?

Another Constitution maker, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, later founded the Jan Sangh, the predecessor of the BJP. They all saw the need for liberty, equality and fraternity. Gandhi and Tagore were among the greatest exponents of internationalism. Gandhi famously said that I do not want my house to be surrounded by walls on all sides and my windows to be closed. I want the cultures of all countries to flow as freely as possible around my home. But I don’t want to take my feet off any of them.

What did Tagore say on this

Tagore, an internationalist, was wary of nationalism. he/she wrote a famous poem, ‘Where the Mind is Without Fear’. In it he/she wished for an India “which has not been torn to pieces by narrow domestic walls. Where ‘the clear stream of reason has not lost its way in the dry desert sands of dead habit.’ This is what the Constitution makers intended to do by adopting secularism and non-discrimination so that no one takes us back to the dry desert sands of dead habits.

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