Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Don’t practice ‘Secularism’ at the cost of majority community' that was published in Newsband

Don’t practice ‘Secularism’ at the cost of majority community

A big issue is being made about the churches having come under attack in recent weeks. The Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be torn between its role as a politically responsible ruling party, and its need to cater to its core Hindutva constituency.

We have - in our over zealous protection of minority community - not taken in to account the recent report on the thefts/attacks on religious establishments of other faiths. Around 213 temples, 65 Gurdwaras and 14 Mosques were burgled in Delhi in recent times. Only 3 similar attacks on Churches were made into an International news item making the U.S. President to lend his voice of caution on Majority Group in India

Which religion has been secular through the years? Christianity beckons that it is duty of all Christians to 'encourage' others to convert and become believers. Islam teaches all non-believers as 'infidels'. Only true eastern religions from the golden past accept personal choice in choosing any form or not as ones God - one can see that range from all forms to the formless in Hinduism. What is expected and practiced in India as secularism is mostly pandering to minorities at the cost of the majority

Secularism is not, but pseudo-secularism and communism is a policy option, given 60 years of history of Independent India. In fact it is the Government to be blamed since it supports "conversions organised by Christian missionaries" indirectly by sanctioning special treatment by many ways (like financial support, special social status and certain privileges) which includes legal representation too, to those who are enjoying life in the name of religious minorities.

Mainstream media has made secular an abusive term. The media responds strangely to different issues pertaining to different communities. There is definitely an aberration in terms of response/address by media. For example, the entire media vehemently opposes the controversial Gharvapasi organised by RSS. But they don’t display the same fervent and unequivocal response to the conversions organised by Christian missionaries. The media should maintain certainty in terms of addressing/reporting issues of similar kind pertaining to different communities. As per the recent report released by Delhi, 206 temples were vandalized and there was not a single report from the media. As soon as 3 churches were vandalized by burglars, media was very active in attributing this to majority community and ruling party which is not correct.

While 'secularism' may not be a policy option, neither is pseudo-secularism. Not only have minority rights to be protected but it has to be recognized once and for all that such a protection cannot be at the cost of the majority community. There is a persistent denial to understand the grievances of the Hindu community.

It is anti-Hindu perception of Congress party that led to its defeat. It is Congress party that failed to challenge the minority religion for burning the members of the majority religion in a railway compartment. Both majority and minority religions must follow the laws of the land. Making special reservations to benefit minority religions is a violation of Article 25 and can inflame majority.

Creating a fear psychosis about secularism being in danger will not help any secular cause. Why is the media and Christian clergy jumping the gun when a few churches are vandalized? Ten times more temples have been looted/vandalized. It is clear that the church has a lot to gain by giving communal color to the incidents.

The media should redefine this "secular" term. Secular description means equal rights to all. It is not just appeasing minorities practiced by most political parties for votes.