In a lecture on “India and secularism,” eminent economist, statesman, and veteran political leader Dr Subramannam Swami remarked that India is already a Hindu Rashtra. How far true it is? Is India already a Hindu Rastra?
However, more than 80% of a citizen of India is Hindu. Is this not sufficient for a Hindu Rastra? India is a place where Hindu deities are worshipped. Our culture is also the same.
But as the people of other sects live here with the same status, we call it a Hindu Rastra. 20% of people aré minorities. Despite its Democratic form of government, India is already a Hindu Rastra – some people think so.
IS INDIA ALREADY A HINDU RASTRA?
Nowadays some people of both Hindu and Muslim communities and religious sections are violating the Indian Constitution.
Even political leaders are making nuisance with their hate speeches during the election campaigns.
The authority did not take any steps or action against the leaders of political parties who are making hate speeches.
Unless it doesn’t disqualify a person from contesting the election for making hate speeches, there will be no effective check on this sensitive issue.”
Dr Madhav Godbole said the above comment. We all know that Mr Godbole resigned as Union home secretary in the aftermath of the Babri Masjid demolition.
Dr Godbole has written 26 books on Indian policy issues since he bid farewell to the Indian Administrative Service in 1993.
However, he has just published his latest book ” India – A Federal Union of States – Fault Lines, Challenges and Opportunities ” (Konark Publishers).
“I fail to understand why the Supreme Court has not given a direction so far to operationalise secularism,” Dr Godbole tells it.
Is India already a Hindu Rastra?
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In his book, he says that though secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. But here political parties do not follow secularism.
Moreover, not a political party maintain lowfully secularism. It is out of proper operation. What threat does it pose to India and Indian federalism?
All those advocating a Hindu Rashtra must realise that Rashtra is a much larger concept. And a Hindu Rashtra cannot consist of Hindus alone. It is a combination of different religions that constitute India.
Secondly, successive governments did really not perpetrate to secularism over the years.
Despite the Supreme Court ruling that it is part of the basic structure of the Constitution. But the government did not thoroughly operationalise Secularism.
Dr Godbole further says that he fails to understand why the Supreme Court did not give a direction so far to operationalise secularism.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has declared several rights as fundamental rights. Even those which are not mentioned in the Constitution, like the right to privacy, right to information also granted .
Supreme Court recognised 8-10 rights. Supreme Court gave recognition of it as a fundamental right. Though these were not in the Constitution.
Similarly, why can’t the Supreme Court say that secularism is part of the basic structure of the Constitution? And therefore, the Supreme authority should take steps to operationalise it?
Thirdly, the minimum that a government can do is to bring a law. Therefore, it says that a candidate should get 50% plus 1 vote to be declared a winner in an election.
S/he will then represent the majority in the real sense of the term. Therefore, her/his appeal will not be limited to her/his caste, creed, community, religion, etc.
The candidate will have to appeal to various sections of society and that will be a real representative democracy.
Fourthly, the Government or Supreme Authority hardly took any action against leaders of political parties who are making hate speeches.
Unless the law disqualifies a person from contesting the election for making hate speeches, there will be no effective check on this sensitive issue. (India is already a Hindu Rastra.)
It needs statesmanship amongst all political parties. They should come together and make a Constitutional amendment.
Besides, they can amend the Representation of People Act to debar the mixing of religion and politics.
For example, why should political parties have flags which are so common to their religions? Because it is beyond secularism.
Therefore, the Election Commission of India should not provide permit such flags of some regional parties.
These is a very large, complex, complicated and sensitive subject. But it will require real statesmanship.
Constitution, Harmony, Hindu, India ,Politics
