Voltaire
A significant setback has damaged the secular credentials of the country through the performance of the rituals pertaining to one religion – Hinduism. None other than the union cabinet minister of the country has accomplished the ‘holy’ practices in a foreign land.
After choosing an auspicious day viz. Ayutha Pooja (the day of performing prayers and worshipping the weapons used for the security of the land), the home minister took along with him a team of brahmin prohits (priests) to receive the Rafael planes from France. In front of the delivered plane rituals were performed by the brahmin priests by placing lemons at the wheels of the plane. Theturmeric pasted coconut was placed on top of the plane unmindful of bearing the discomforts of climbing the ladder, the homeminister wrote on the plane the Sanskritslogan ‘OM’ with sandal paste. What a wonderful deed for the proper functioning of the plane beyond the scientific knowledge and skill associated in designing an assembling the plane for the effective take off!
The so-called ‘divine’ deeds of the home minister made the secular credentials of India, a laughing- stock in the international political theatre. The home minister has got the right to do any ritual as per his belief and faith in his individual capacity inside a four walledroom. When he represents the country, he has to represent the beliefs and faiths of the entire populace of the country which would be not only difficult but impracticable too without serving any purpose. Better to keep away from the practices of any religious faith to say precisely, being secular – non religious. That is expected of the minister holding the home affairs of the vast sub- continent with many religions and multitude of cultures and languages spoken by its people.
Can the home minister do such irrelevant practices that is being upheld by his parental outfit RSS after having taken oath of office to abide by the Indian Constitution at time of swearing in ceremony?
The Constitution says the secular nature of the Indian polity in its preamble, without any ambiguity. The home minister has projected through his deeds the country is for one religion i.e. Hinduism, advocated as Hindutva by the saffron outfits. Besides the Constitution directs every citizen of the country to confirm the fundamental duties which includes development of scientifictemper. It is questionable if a citizen failed to do the fundamental duty. The lawmakers of the country to whom the cabinet proposes legislations for the wellbeing the county and its citizens must be responsible to the ‘duties’.For a cabinet minister more responsibilities are shouldered on him.Can he violate the fundamental duties envisaged in the Constitution? Is it out of ignorance? Nay, it is deliberate with the strong commitment to the ideology of Hindutva he shoulders. He has got more priority in shouldering the responsibilities. Let him prioritize! But who gave the authority to the home minister to belittle the Constitution and its envisaged secular credentials?
