Secularism in India

Secularism in India is a much talked about topic in the country. The term has been given different meanings and political connotations by leaders of various political denominations at different periods of time. Secularism has been conveniently abused by these turn-coat politicians to achieve their despicable political ends.

In the long process, the natural aspirations of the majority communities were ignored, which led to the formation of semi-religious groups and other sundry regional political outfits. This changed the political scenario in the country and led to adverse social changes. It led to a change in the political mindset of the masses too.

The cunning politicians took undue advantage of the situation and indulged in social activities with hideous political motives. It has become the political bane of India, which has led to many undesirable upheavals that affected the country’s social growth in an adverse manner. What actually is this Indian secularism for which the first prime minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, stood? He was of the view that the basis of secularism should be a strong bond between people with differing social and religious concepts. Unless we mould into such a social mindset, secularism will not work in India.

It is not the duty of any government to bring up minority religious groups or sustain them to play a major role in the political history of the country. Thus the whole, much touted concept of “secularism” is but a big myth which is often misused or abused by the differing groups of Indian political leaders.

It is time the social think tanks of the country gave serious thought to this potentially dangerous social question which could affect the very existence of the country. The reader is based in Kerala, India.