Secularism Interrupted

I was watching the debates between politicians, news anchors and analysts on television during the Gujarat election coverage and what caught my attention was the regular use of the word Secular/Secularism by all political parties.

The Congress kept talking about secularism and how the party has fought for the rights of minorities (read Muslims). Some secularism that, huh! I guess the Sikh riots of 1984, the Mumbai Riots of 1993, appeasement politics are all classic signs of Secularism, and if that is the yardstick to measure a secular party, then you can’t find a more Secular one than the Congress. The British divided the country in 1947; the Congress saw merit in the Divide and Rule policy and continues in its secular ways of dividing the country.

The Left claims to be the guardian of secularism and democracy in India. I guess Taslima Nasreen would beg to differ. I am plain curious; Do Communism and Democracy have the same meaning? And India must be the only country where Communists celebrate the existence of God; Durga Puja in West Bengal, the Kerala government administers temple affairs. Or are we to believe that the politicians are Communists while the citizens who vote them to power are democrats?

As for the BJP, it never claimed to be secular. I have no political or religious leanings, but I feel that the BJP is an honest devil than the Congress and/or the Left because it wears its spots proudly, unlike the other two who behave like wolves in sheep clothing.

On the likes of Mulayam Singh and Mayawati, silence is golden. What can you write of those for whom ignorance is bliss? For them secularism means anarchy.

As for the people of India, after 60-odd years of being taught secularism by politicians, we understand the term differently, depending upon our political leanings.

In short, we may be the largest Democracy in the world; however, we are anything but secular. Teesta Setalvad may beg to differ with me. To her I say being pro-any religion is not being secular. It’s being prejudiced. And terming anyone who does not align with your views as communal ain’t being secular either.

So dear friends, we as a country must be the single-largest bunch of hypocrites on planet Earth. And for those who are interested in understanding the meaning of the word secular as given in the dictionary, please continue reading.

sec·u·lar /ˈsɛkyələr/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sek-yuh-ler] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
Adjective
1. Of or pertaining to worldly things or to things that are not regarded as religious, spiritual, or sacred; temporal: secular interests
2. Not pertaining to or connected with religion (opposed to sacred): secular music
3. (Of education, a school, etc.) concerned with nonreligious subjects
4. (Of members of the clergy) not belonging to a religious order; not bound by monastic vows (opposed to regular)
5. Occurring or celebrated once in an age or century: the secular games of Rome
6. Going on from age to age; continuing through long ages

Noun
7. A layperson
8. One of the secular clergy

sec·u·lar·ism /ˈsɛkyələˌrɪzəm/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled

1. Secular spirit or tendency, esp. a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship
2. The view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element

n.
Religious skepticism or indifference
The view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education

sec'u·lar·ist n., sec'u·lar·is'tic adj.

Noun
A doctrine that rejects religion and religious considerations