Secularism of festivities

The controversy over judges meet on Good Friday is an opportunity to explore roots of this key principle

shishir

Shishir Tripathi | April 6, 2015


#secularism   #supreme court   #good friday   #BJP   #chief justice of india   #HL Dattu  

Justice Kurian Joseph’s objection to the chief justice of India, HL Dattu, holding the chief justices conference on Good Friday and Easter is more than a tussle among the top judiciary on a specific issue; it has important connotations. While the sensationalising of the issue is totally uncalled for, complete silence over it –considering it as ‘family’ issue, which will be settled by the ‘head of the family’ – will also serve no purpose.

Joining the debate, former CJI VN Khare said that justice Joseph’s position reflected the apprehensions of religious minorities. Certainly it does and the reason to an extent is attributed to our inability to adhere to the Indian notion of secularism. A national holiday on the festivals of all the religious groups can be seen as a symbolic act, but digging a bit deeper will show the entrenchment of our notion of secularism within such symbolisms.

While the spate of communal clashes in the last few years have left a heavy dent in the secular fabric of the country, the concern reflected by justice Joseph talks of others aspects of our secular edifice.

Communal violence, of course, has several socio-political undercurrents, yet any questions regarding the secular structure of the country (like the one raised in the current issue) has to be addressed in a different manner. And for this one needs to dwell on the basic idea of secularism.

The term ‘secularisation’ traces its origin in the west, and was first used in 1648 at the end of the thirty-year war in Europe to refer to the transfer of church properties to the exclusive control of princes. Since then the term in different times and places has been bestowed with different attributes.

In its original sense secularism was a principle which supported the separation of the church from state affairs. And the principal ideology supporting it was liberalism which launched an attack on the catholic church and demanded religious freedom raised by protestant groups and its counterparts and stressed on drawing a clear dividing line between the church and the state, baring the former from interfering in the affairs of the government.

However, too much stress on this western notion and ignoring our homegrown counterpart of it is what complicates the issue.

The hard-line separation of the church or the religious domain from the state affairs sometimes projected western secularism as anti-religious. But in the Indian context secularism is not seen as a negative concept or negation of religion – rather it is seen as a positive concept calling for equal treatment and respect to all religions irrespective of their history, position or its professed ideologies. In short, ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’.
                
This connotation of secularism has been characterised by Ashis Nandy as ‘Indianism’, but long history of this version of secularism has given India a sense of equal treatment to all religions and identified it with religious tolerance.

To quote Dr. Radhakrishnan, “secularism does not mean irreligious or atheism nor even stress on material comforts. It proclaims that no religion should be given preferential status or unique distinction, that no religion should be accorded special privileges in national life or international relation for that would be violation of the basic principles of democracy and contrary to best interest of religion and government.” He further adds, “no person shall suffer any form of disability or discrimination because of religion but all alike should be free to share to fullest degree in the common life.”

When those occupying the high offices feel that there is “tinkering” of one of the most cherished values of democracy, there is certainly some gap in our democratic structure.

Religious festivities also are about “sharing in common life”. And it should be allowed to all, irrespective of their religion. It is important and necessary for us to assert the tag of a secular state. Mere insertion of an adjective in the preamble of the constitution certainly would fail to ensure a secular society that we claim to be.

Comments

 

Other News

‘MAGA’ + ‘MIGA’ = ‘MEGA’ partnership for prosperity: Modi

Prime minister Narendra Modi has linked the dream of a Viksit Bharat with US president Donald Trump’s slogan, ‘Make America Great Again’, or ‘MAGA’, saying that when these two democracies work together, i.e. ‘MAGA’ plus ‘Make India Great Again’ (‘

ONOE: Anti-federalism or pro-reform?

The government`s move to implement ‘One Nation, One Election’ (ONOE) has ignited widespread debate. On one hand, it offers tangible benefits, such as removing the possibility of a governance paralysis and reducing election costs. On the other hand, the opposition and sections of civil society s

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana completes first year

On February 13, 2025, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) will mark its first anniversary, celebrating a year of empowering households with affordable solar energy and accelerating India’s transition to a sustainable future. Launched by prime minister Narendra Modi on Febru

How to leverage AI to solve urgent global issues

The world seems to be hurling towards World War III in all the possible scenarios: hot war, cold war, and proxy war. The battleground seems to have expanded beyond physical to digital or virtual/mixed reality with technology like drones. Moreover, the line between civilian and military targets seems to hav

Budget: Progress towards SDGs and areas for improvement

The Union Budget 2025-26 outlines India`s vision for economic and social growth while also reflecting the country`s commitment to sustainable development. As India moves closer to the 2030 deadline for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this budget presents a balanced approach

Repo rate cut by 25 basis points to 6.25%

The Reserve Bank of India has, for the first time in five years, reduced the policy repo rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) by 25 basis points to 6.25% with immediate effect. Consequently, the standing deposit facility (SDF) rate will stand adjusted to 6.00% and the marginal

Visionary Talk: Amitabh Gupta, Pune Police Commissioner with Kailashnath Adhikari, MD, Governance Now



Archives

Current Issue

Opinion

Facebook Twitter Google Plus Linkedin Subscribe Newsletter

Twitter