September, 2008
Nothing secular about pseudo-secularism
In India the debate between secularism and pseudo-secularism is never ending but let's for a moment pause and have a look at where we stand today. The word "secular" was inserted into the Preamble of our Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976, during the Emergency in India. It implies equality of all religions and religious tolerance. In other words, India does not have an official state religion. Every person has the right to preach, practice and propagate any religion they choose. The government must not favour or discriminate against any religion. It must treat all religions with equal respect. All citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs are equal in the eyes of law. Let's now come to understand the term 'pseudo-secularism'. It is the state of implicit non-secular trends in the face of pledged secularism. The term is used by groups who perceive a double standard....




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