NEW DELHI, Jan 2: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi described secularism as the cornerstone of India’s democracy and claimed that the term secular is being used as a “pejorative” by those in positions of power, which is causing more polarisation in society. They claim to be dedicated to “democracy,” but they also undermine the checks and balances that are supposed to keep it functioning smoothly. In a signed essay for the Manorama Yearbook 2024, Gandhi stated, “The train tracks meant to guide our nation to harmony are being damaged and the results are already being seen in the increased polarisation in society.” Secularism and democracy have a close relationship; they work together like two rails on a track to steer the current administration towards the goal of a peaceful society.These are words that are common to all of us; they appear in speeches, debates, civics textbooks, and the Preamble to the Constitution. Even with this familiarity, these concepts’ deep meanings are frequently elusive. Every citizen will be better able to comprehend India’s past, current difficulties, and future course if they have a clear understanding of these terms, according to the former head of the Congress. Gandhi noted that there are various ways to understand secularism, but that the definition established by Mahatma Gandhi in his well-known phrase, “sarva dharma sama bhaava,” is the one that is most pertinent to India.Gandhi recognised the fundamental similarity among all religions. She is quoted as saying in a release published by Malayala Manorama here: “Jawaharlal Nehru was deeply conscious of India being a multi-religious society, so he constantly strove to establish a secular state.” She further stated that this concept was developed and implemented by the Indian Constitution writers, under the direction of Dr. B R Ambedkar, to create a distinct secular democracy. “The government…upholds everyone’s right to practise their religion. It contains unique clauses designed to safeguard minorities’ welfare. The senior Lok Sabha MP stated, “Promoting harmony and prosperity between all the diverse groups in our society is always the guiding principle of Indian secular democracy.”Gandhi, who presided over the Congress party for more than 20 years—from 1998 to 2017 and from 2019 to 2022—said that India’s remarkable diversity has always served as its defining characteristic. Indeed, since “diversities” include a wide range of religions and beliefs, languages and cultural practices, regions and ecologies, histories and traditions, it makes more sense to refer to them as “diversities” in our society than as just “diversity.” However, our Founding Fathers left us with the legacy of Unity in Diversity because there has always been a sense of overarching unity, she contended.“When diversity is celebrated, as it is in our wonderful Constitution, which is currently under attack, it strengthens our unity and solidarity,” the speaker stated. Gandhi also brought up a crucial point about how democracies operate. A majority of votes determines the formation of the government in a democracy. But can those in the majority always have the upper hand over the rest if they agree? What occurs when a small group’s fundamental interests are harmed? What should be done if a temporary majority insists on making a decision that could have serious ramifications down the road? But do they have the right to rule without opposition if a stable but small majority is established? she questioned.In multicultural nations like India, where people hold a great deal of significance for one another’s numerous identities, this question is particularly serious. “It does not help peace or harmony in society if people worry that their language, religious practice, or way of life could be permanently threatened only because they were not many in number,” the speaker said. Jawaharlal Nehru once observed that “democracy is good.” Gandhi used this to argue that democracy is not a perfect system. Because other systems are worse, I say this. It contains flaws as well as strengths.The freedom fighters established guidelines to prevent these maladies, such as a written Constitution, citizens’ fundamental rights against the government, and the secularism principle, because they knew from the experience of democracy in other nations that the system is prone to illnesses. She stated: “It is time for us too, to find our own solutions to the challenges of today, and in doing so, serve and honour our nation.” She noted that progressive people in India have always tried to find solutions to the times’ challenges.
Knowing from the experience of democracy in other countries that the system is prone to illnesses, the freedom fighters established guidelines to prevent these maladies, such as a written Constitution, citizens’ fundamental rights against the government, and the secularism principle. She said: “It is time for us too, to find our own solutions to the challenges of today, and in doing so, serve and honour our nation.” She pointed out that progressive Indians have always looked for answers to the problems of the day.
