Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Hinduism believes in secularism' that was published in Newsband

Hinduism believes in secularism

A provision has been made by Supreme Court in electoral law that makes it a corrupt practice to use religion, race, caste or language as a ground for canvassing votes in an election. By a four-three majority, a seven-member Bench has ruled that it is a general prohibition on the use of religion or any other communal or sectarian value in the electoral arena. The majority opinion holds that it covers the candidates as well as the voter.

That secularism is the bedrock of our democracy is undisputed. But many a times we find that elected candidate does not fulfill his/her promises on which he/she has sought votes. There must be some checks and balances on the promises made by the candidate.

There should be mass education of voters to vote parties who have internal democracy of elections duly monitored, voting for candidates with proven merits of public works and services and not to vote candidates who take stand on religion, caste identities, except in reserved constituencies. All the citizens should vote and vote on merits in all the coming elections to realize the benefit of Supreme Court ruling.

No political party, desirous of participating in election should be permitted to be named after any particular religious or caste group and parties with such identities should be barred from the election process. We also expect that the SC have a re-look at the caste based reservations (at the cost of merit/ economic status) conundrum that is the biggest divisive force in the country.

In the 21st century, Indian politicians should canvass on the basis of Principles, Policies and Performance – if they have the courage - instead of exploiting citizens’ poverty.

70 years after independence, Indians deserve better. But they will have to struggle for it, for no politician or political party of its own volition is likely to stop the gravy train. The citizens should take the cue given by the SC – not let party-machinery (and partisan TV channels) or political shadow-boxing befuddle them.

That Secularism is the bedrock of Indian Democracy is not a doubt. But Secularism in India exists because of the majority communities ideology of Hinduism which is all inclusive based on equal respect and acceptance. The minority communities in India are lucky because Hinduism basically believes in secularism but there are members of minority community who take undue advantage of this fact.