{"id":8184,"date":"2024-01-02T07:26:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T07:26:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jammubulletin.com\/site\/?p=8184"},"modified":"2024-01-02T07:26:54","modified_gmt":"2024-01-02T07:26:54","slug":"secularism-has-become-pejorative-for-those-now-in-power-sonia-gandhi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jammubulletin.com\/site\/secularism-has-become-pejorative-for-those-now-in-power-sonia-gandhi\/","title":{"rendered":"Secularism Has Become Pejorative For Those Now In Power: Sonia Gandhi"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEW DELHI, Jan 2: Congress\u00a0<\/span>leader\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Sonia\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Gandhi<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>described\u00a0<\/span><\/span>secularism\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>cornerstone\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>India’s\u00a0<\/span>democracy<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>claimed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>term\u00a0<\/span><\/span>secular\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>being\u00a0<\/span><\/span>used\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span>a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“pejorative”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>by\u00a0<\/span><\/span>those\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>positions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>power,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>which\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>causing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>more\u00a0<\/span><\/span>polarisation\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>society.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>They\u00a0<\/span><\/span>claim\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>dedicated\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“democracy,”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>but\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>also\u00a0<\/span><\/span>undermine\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>checks\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>balances\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>supposed\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>keep\u00a0<\/span><\/span>it\u00a0<\/span><\/span>functioning\u00a0<\/span><\/span>smoothly.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>In\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>signed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>essay\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Manorama\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Yearbook\u00a0<\/span><\/span>2024,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Gandhi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>stated,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>train\u00a0<\/span>tracks\u00a0<\/span><\/span>meant\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>guide\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>nation\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>harmony\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>being\u00a0<\/span><\/span>damaged\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>results\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>already\u00a0<\/span>being\u00a0<\/span>seen\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>increased\u00a0<\/span><\/span>polarisation\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>society.”<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Secularism\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>democracy\u00a0<\/span><\/span>have\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>close\u00a0<\/span>relationship;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>work\u00a0<\/span><\/span>together\u00a0<\/span><\/span>like\u00a0<\/span><\/span>two\u00a0<\/span>rails\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>track\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>steer\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>current\u00a0<\/span>administration\u00a0<\/span><\/span>towards\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>goal\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>peaceful\u00a0<\/span>society.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>These\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>words\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>common\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>all\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us;\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they\u00a0<\/span><\/span>appear\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>speeches,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>debates,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>civics\u00a0<\/span><\/span>textbooks,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Preamble\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Constitution<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Even\u00a0<\/span><\/span>with\u00a0<\/span>this\u00a0<\/span><\/span>familiarity,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>these\u00a0<\/span><\/span>concepts’\u00a0<\/span><\/span>deep\u00a0<\/span>meanings\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>frequently\u00a0<\/span><\/span>elusive.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Every\u00a0<\/span>citizen\u00a0<\/span><\/span>will\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>better\u00a0<\/span>able\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>comprehend\u00a0<\/span><\/span>India’s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>past,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>current\u00a0<\/span><\/span>difficulties,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>future\u00a0<\/span>course\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>have\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>clear\u00a0<\/span>understanding\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>these\u00a0<\/span><\/span>terms,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>according\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>former\u00a0<\/span>head\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Congress.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Gandhi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>noted\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>there\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span>various\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ways\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>understand\u00a0<\/span><\/span>secularism,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>but\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>definition\u00a0<\/span><\/span>established\u00a0<\/span>by\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Mahatma\u00a0<\/span>Gandhi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span><\/span>well-known\u00a0<\/span><\/span>phrase,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“sarva\u00a0<\/span><\/span>dharma\u00a0<\/span><\/span>sama\u00a0<\/span><\/span>bhaava,”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>one\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>most\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pertinent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>India.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Gandhi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>recognised\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>fundamental\u00a0<\/span><\/span>similarity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>among\u00a0<\/span><\/span>all\u00a0<\/span>religions.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>quoted\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>saying\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>release\u00a0<\/span><\/span>published\u00a0<\/span><\/span>by\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Malayala\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Manorama\u00a0<\/span><\/span>here:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“Jawaharlal\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/span>Nehru<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>was\u00a0<\/span><\/span>deeply\u00a0<\/span>conscious\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>India\u00a0<\/span><\/span>being\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span><\/span>multi-religious\u00a0<\/span><\/span>society,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>so\u00a0<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span><\/span>constantly\u00a0<\/span><\/span>strove\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>establish\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>secular\u00a0<\/span><\/span>state.”<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>further\u00a0<\/span><\/span>stated\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>this\u00a0<\/span>concept\u00a0<\/span><\/span>was\u00a0<\/span>developed\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>implemented\u00a0<\/span><\/span>by\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Indian\u00a0<\/span><\/a>Constitution<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>writers,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>under\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>direction\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Dr.\u00a0<\/span>B\u00a0<\/span><\/span>R\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Ambedkar,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>create\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>distinct\u00a0<\/span><\/span>secular\u00a0<\/span><\/span>democracy.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>“The\u00a0<\/span><\/span>government…upholds\u00a0<\/span><\/span>everyone’s\u00a0<\/span>right\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>practise\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their\u00a0<\/span>religion.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>It\u00a0<\/span><\/span>contains\u00a0<\/span><\/span>unique\u00a0<\/span>clauses\u00a0<\/span><\/span>designed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>safeguard\u00a0<\/span><\/span>minorities’\u00a0<\/span><\/span>welfare.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>The\u00a0<\/span>senior\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Lok\u00a0<\/span>Sabha\u00a0<\/span><\/span>MP\u00a0<\/span><\/span>stated,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“Promoting\u00a0<\/span><\/span>harmony\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>prosperity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>between\u00a0<\/span><\/span>all\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>diverse\u00a0<\/span>groups\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>society\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>always\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>guiding\u00a0<\/span>principle\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>Indian\u00a0<\/span><\/span>secular\u00a0<\/span><\/span>democracy.”<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Gandhi,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>who\u00a0<\/span><\/span>presided\u00a0<\/span><\/span>over\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>Congress\u00a0<\/span><\/span>party\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>more\u00a0<\/span>than\u00a0<\/span><\/span>20\u00a0<\/span><\/span>years\u2014from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>1998\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>2017\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>2019\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>2022\u2014said\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>India’s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>remarkable\u00a0<\/span><\/span>diversity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has\u00a0<\/span>always\u00a0<\/span>served\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>its\u00a0<\/span>defining\u00a0<\/span>characteristic.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Indeed,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>since\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“diversities”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>include\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>wide\u00a0<\/span>range\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>religions\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>beliefs,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>languages\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>cultural\u00a0<\/span>practices,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>regions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>ecologies,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>histories\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>traditions,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>it\u00a0<\/span>makes\u00a0<\/span><\/span>more\u00a0<\/span>sense\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>refer\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>them\u00a0<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“diversities”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>society\u00a0<\/span><\/span>than\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span>just\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“diversity.”<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>However,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>Founding\u00a0<\/span>Fathers\u00a0<\/span><\/span>left\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us\u00a0<\/span>with\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>legacy\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Unity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Diversity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>because\u00a0<\/span>there\u00a0<\/span><\/span>has\u00a0<\/span>always\u00a0<\/span>been\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>sense\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>overarching\u00a0<\/span><\/span>unity,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>she\u00a0<\/span><\/span>contended.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>“When\u00a0<\/span><\/span>diversity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>celebrated,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>it\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>our\u00a0<\/span><\/span>wonderful\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Constitution,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>which\u00a0<\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>currently\u00a0<\/span><\/span>under\u00a0<\/span><\/span>attack,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>it\u00a0<\/span><\/span>strengthens\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>unity\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>solidarity,”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>speaker\u00a0<\/span><\/span>stated.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Gandhi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>also\u00a0<\/span>brought\u00a0<\/span><\/span>up\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>crucial\u00a0<\/span>point\u00a0<\/span><\/span>about\u00a0<\/span>how\u00a0<\/span><\/span>democracies\u00a0<\/span><\/span>operate.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>A\u00a0<\/span>majority\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>votes\u00a0<\/span><\/span>determines\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>formation\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>government\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>democracy.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>But\u00a0<\/span><\/span>can\u00a0<\/span><\/span>those\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>majority\u00a0<\/span><\/span>always\u00a0<\/span><\/span>have\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>upper\u00a0<\/span>hand\u00a0<\/span><\/span>over\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>rest\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if\u00a0<\/span>they\u00a0<\/span><\/span>agree?<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>What\u00a0<\/span><\/span>occurs\u00a0<\/span>when\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>small\u00a0<\/span><\/span>group’s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>fundamental\u00a0<\/span>interests\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>harmed?<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>What\u00a0<\/span><\/span>should\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>done\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>temporary\u00a0<\/span><\/span>majority\u00a0<\/span><\/span>insists\u00a0<\/span><\/span>on\u00a0<\/span><\/span>making\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>decision\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>could\u00a0<\/span>have\u00a0<\/span><\/span>serious\u00a0<\/span>ramifications\u00a0<\/span><\/span>down\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>road?<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>But\u00a0<\/span><\/span>do\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>have\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>right\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>rule\u00a0<\/span><\/span>without\u00a0<\/span><\/span>opposition\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>stable\u00a0<\/span><\/span>but\u00a0<\/span><\/span>small\u00a0<\/span><\/span>majority\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>established?\u00a0<\/span><\/span>she\u00a0<\/span><\/span>questioned.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>In\u00a0<\/span><\/span>multicultural\u00a0<\/span>nations\u00a0<\/span><\/span>like\u00a0<\/span><\/span>India,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>where\u00a0<\/span>people\u00a0<\/span><\/span>hold\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>great\u00a0<\/span>deal\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>significance\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>one\u00a0<\/span>another’s\u00a0<\/span><\/span>numerous\u00a0<\/span><\/span>identities,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>this\u00a0<\/span>question\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>particularly\u00a0<\/span><\/span>serious.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>“It\u00a0<\/span><\/span>does\u00a0<\/span>not\u00a0<\/span>help\u00a0<\/span><\/span>peace\u00a0<\/span><\/span>or\u00a0<\/span><\/span>harmony\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span>society\u00a0<\/span><\/span>if\u00a0<\/span>people\u00a0<\/span><\/span>worry\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>their\u00a0<\/span>language,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>religious\u00a0<\/span>practice,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>or\u00a0<\/span><\/span>way\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span>life\u00a0<\/span><\/span>could\u00a0<\/span>be\u00a0<\/span><\/span>permanently\u00a0<\/span><\/span>threatened\u00a0<\/span><\/span>only\u00a0<\/span>because\u00a0<\/span><\/span>they\u00a0<\/span>were\u00a0<\/span><\/span>not\u00a0<\/span>many\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>number,”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>speaker\u00a0<\/span><\/span>said.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Jawaharlal\u00a0<\/span>Nehru\u00a0<\/span><\/span>once\u00a0<\/span><\/span>observed\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“democracy\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>good.”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Gandhi\u00a0<\/span><\/span>used\u00a0<\/span><\/span>this\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>argue\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span>democracy\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span>not\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>perfect\u00a0<\/span>system.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>Because\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other\u00a0<\/span>systems\u00a0<\/span><\/span>are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>worse,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>I\u00a0<\/span><\/span>say\u00a0<\/span><\/span>this.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>It\u00a0<\/span><\/span>contains\u00a0<\/span><\/span>flaws\u00a0<\/span><\/span>as\u00a0<\/span>well\u00a0<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>strengths.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>The\u00a0<\/span>freedom\u00a0<\/span>fighters\u00a0<\/span><\/span>established\u00a0<\/span>guidelines\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>prevent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>these\u00a0<\/span><\/span>maladies,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>such\u00a0<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>written\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Constitution,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>citizens’\u00a0<\/span>fundamental\u00a0<\/span>rights\u00a0<\/span><\/span>against\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>government,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>secularism\u00a0<\/span><\/span>principle,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>because\u00a0<\/span>they\u00a0<\/span><\/span>knew\u00a0<\/span><\/span>from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>experience\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>democracy\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other\u00a0<\/span>nations\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>system\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prone\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>illnesses.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>stated:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“It\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>time\u00a0<\/span>for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us\u00a0<\/span><\/span>too,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>find\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>own\u00a0<\/span><\/span>solutions\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>challenges\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>today,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>doing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>so,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>serve\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>honour\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>nation.”\u00a0<\/span><\/span>She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>noted\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>progressive\u00a0<\/span><\/span>people\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>India\u00a0<\/span><\/span>have\u00a0<\/span>always\u00a0<\/span>tried\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>find\u00a0<\/span><\/span>solutions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>times’\u00a0<\/span><\/span>challenges.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>from\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>experience\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>democracy\u00a0<\/span><\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>other\u00a0<\/span>countries\u00a0<\/span><\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>system\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>prone\u00a0<\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>illnesses,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>freedom\u00a0<\/span>fighters\u00a0<\/span><\/span>established\u00a0<\/span>guidelines\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>prevent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>these\u00a0<\/span><\/span>maladies,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>such\u00a0<\/span>as\u00a0<\/span><\/span>a\u00a0<\/span>written\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/span>Constitution<\/a>,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>citizens’\u00a0<\/span>fundamental\u00a0<\/span>rights\u00a0<\/span><\/span>against\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>government,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>secularism\u00a0<\/span><\/span>principle.<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>said:\u00a0<\/span><\/span>“It\u00a0<\/span><\/span>is\u00a0<\/span><\/span>time\u00a0<\/span>for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>us\u00a0<\/span><\/span>too,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>find\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>own\u00a0<\/span>solutions\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span>the\u00a0<\/span><\/span>challenges\u00a0<\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>today,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>doing\u00a0<\/span><\/span>so,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>serve\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>honour\u00a0<\/span><\/span>our\u00a0<\/span>nation.”<\/span><\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/span><\/span>She\u00a0<\/span><\/span>pointed\u00a0<\/span><\/span>out\u00a0<\/span>that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>progressive\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Indians\u00a0<\/span><\/span>have\u00a0<\/span>always\u00a0<\/span>looked\u00a0<\/span><\/span>for\u00a0<\/span><\/span>answers\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>problems\u00a0<\/span><\/span>of\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the\u00a0<\/span>day.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Secularism
Secularism Has Become Pejorative For Those Now In Power: Sonia Gandhi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

NEW DELHI, Jan 2: Congress\u00a0leader\u00a0Sonia\u00a0Gandhi\u00a0described\u00a0secularism\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0cornerstone\u00a0of\u00a0India’s\u00a0democracy\u00a0and\u00a0claimed\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0term\u00a0secular\u00a0is\u00a0being\u00a0used\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0“pejorative”\u00a0by\u00a0those\u00a0in\u00a0positions\u00a0of\u00a0power,\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0causing\u00a0more\u00a0polarisation\u00a0in\u00a0society. They\u00a0claim\u00a0to\u00a0be\u00a0dedicated\u00a0to\u00a0“democracy,”\u00a0but\u00a0they\u00a0also\u00a0undermine\u00a0the\u00a0checks\u00a0and\u00a0balances\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0supposed\u00a0to\u00a0keep\u00a0it\u00a0functioning\u00a0smoothly. In\u00a0a\u00a0signed\u00a0essay\u00a0for\u00a0the\u00a0Manorama\u00a0Yearbook\u00a02024,\u00a0Gandhi\u00a0stated,\u00a0“The\u00a0train\u00a0tracks\u00a0meant\u00a0to\u00a0guide\u00a0our\u00a0nation\u00a0to\u00a0harmony\u00a0are\u00a0being\u00a0damaged\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0results\u00a0are\u00a0already\u00a0being\u00a0seen\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0increased\u00a0polarisation\u00a0in\u00a0society.” Secularism\u00a0and\u00a0democracy\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0close\u00a0relationship;\u00a0they\u00a0work\u00a0together\u00a0like\u00a0two\u00a0rails\u00a0on\u00a0a\u00a0track\u00a0to\u00a0steer\u00a0the\u00a0current\u00a0administration\u00a0towards\u00a0the\u00a0goal\u00a0of\u00a0a\u00a0peaceful\u00a0society.These\u00a0are\u00a0words\u00a0that\u00a0are\u00a0common\u00a0to\u00a0all\u00a0of\u00a0us;\u00a0they\u00a0appear\u00a0in\u00a0speeches,\u00a0debates,\u00a0civics\u00a0textbooks,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0Preamble\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0Constitution. Even\u00a0with\u00a0this\u00a0familiarity,\u00a0these\u00a0concepts’\u00a0deep\u00a0meanings\u00a0are\u00a0frequently\u00a0elusive. Every\u00a0citizen\u00a0will\u00a0be\u00a0better\u00a0able\u00a0to\u00a0comprehend\u00a0India’s\u00a0past,\u00a0current\u00a0difficulties,\u00a0and\u00a0future\u00a0course\u00a0if\u00a0they\u00a0have\u00a0a\u00a0clear\u00a0understanding\u00a0of\u00a0these\u00a0terms,\u00a0according\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0former\u00a0head\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0Congress. Gandhi\u00a0noted\u00a0that\u00a0there\u00a0are\u00a0various\u00a0ways\u00a0to\u00a0understand\u00a0secularism,\u00a0but\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0definition\u00a0established\u00a0by\u00a0Mahatma\u00a0Gandhi\u00a0in\u00a0his\u00a0well-known\u00a0phrase,\u00a0“sarva\u00a0dharma\u00a0sama\u00a0bhaava,”\u00a0is\u00a0the\u00a0one\u00a0that\u00a0is\u00a0most\u00a0pertinent\u00a0to\u00a0India.Gandhi\u00a0recognised\u00a0the\u00a0fundamental\u00a0similarity\u00a0among\u00a0all\u00a0religions. She\u00a0is\u00a0quoted\u00a0as\u00a0saying\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0release\u00a0published\u00a0by\u00a0Malayala\u00a0Manorama\u00a0here:\u00a0“Jawaharlal\u00a0Nehru\u00a0was\u00a0deeply\u00a0conscious\u00a0of\u00a0India\u00a0being\u00a0a\u00a0multi-religious\u00a0society,\u00a0so\u00a0he\u00a0constantly\u00a0strove\u00a0to\u00a0establish\u00a0a\u00a0secular\u00a0state.” She\u00a0further\u00a0stated\u00a0that\u00a0this\u00a0concept\u00a0was\u00a0developed\u00a0and\u00a0implemented\u00a0by\u00a0the\u00a0Indian\u00a0Constitution\u00a0writers,\u00a0under\u00a0the\u00a0direction\u00a0of\u00a0Dr.\u00a0B\u00a0R\u00a0Ambedkar,\u00a0to\u00a0create\u00a0a\u00a0distinct\u00a0secular\u00a0democracy. “The\u00a0government…upholds\u00a0everyone’s\u00a0right\u00a0to\u00a0practise\u00a0their\u00a0religion. It\u00a0contains\u00a0unique\u00a0clauses\u00a0designed\u00a0to\u00a0safeguard\u00a0minorities’\u00a0welfare. The\u00a0senior\u00a0Lok\u00a0Sabha\u00a0MP\u00a0stated,\u00a0“Promoting\u00a0harmony\u00a0and\u00a0prosperity\u00a0between\u00a0all\u00a0the\u00a0diverse\u00a0groups\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0society\u00a0is\u00a0always\u00a0the\u00a0guiding\u00a0principle\u00a0of\u00a0Indian\u00a0secular\u00a0democracy.”Gandhi,\u00a0who\u00a0presided\u00a0over\u00a0the\u00a0Congress\u00a0party\u00a0for\u00a0more\u00a0than\u00a020\u00a0years\u2014from\u00a01998\u00a0to\u00a02017\u00a0and\u00a0from\u00a02019\u00a0to\u00a02022\u2014said\u00a0that\u00a0India’s\u00a0remarkable\u00a0diversity\u00a0has\u00a0always\u00a0served\u00a0as\u00a0its\u00a0defining\u00a0characteristic. Indeed,\u00a0since\u00a0“diversities”\u00a0include\u00a0a\u00a0wide\u00a0range\u00a0of\u00a0religions\u00a0and\u00a0beliefs,\u00a0languages\u00a0and\u00a0cultural\u00a0practices,\u00a0regions\u00a0and\u00a0ecologies,\u00a0histories\u00a0and\u00a0traditions,\u00a0it\u00a0makes\u00a0more\u00a0sense\u00a0to\u00a0refer\u00a0to\u00a0them\u00a0as\u00a0“diversities”\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0society\u00a0than\u00a0as\u00a0just\u00a0“diversity.” However,\u00a0our\u00a0Founding\u00a0Fathers\u00a0left\u00a0us\u00a0with\u00a0the\u00a0legacy\u00a0of\u00a0Unity\u00a0in\u00a0Diversity\u00a0because\u00a0there\u00a0has\u00a0always\u00a0been\u00a0a\u00a0sense\u00a0of\u00a0overarching\u00a0unity,\u00a0she\u00a0contended.“When\u00a0diversity\u00a0is\u00a0celebrated,\u00a0as\u00a0it\u00a0is\u00a0in\u00a0our\u00a0wonderful\u00a0Constitution,\u00a0which\u00a0is\u00a0currently\u00a0under\u00a0attack,\u00a0it\u00a0strengthens\u00a0our\u00a0unity\u00a0and\u00a0solidarity,”\u00a0the\u00a0speaker\u00a0stated. Gandhi\u00a0also\u00a0brought\u00a0up\u00a0a\u00a0crucial\u00a0point\u00a0about\u00a0how\u00a0democracies\u00a0operate. A\u00a0majority\u00a0of\u00a0votes\u00a0determines\u00a0the\u00a0formation\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0government\u00a0in\u00a0a\u00a0democracy. But\u00a0can\u00a0those\u00a0in\u00a0the\u00a0majority\u00a0always\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0upper\u00a0hand\u00a0over\u00a0the\u00a0rest\u00a0if\u00a0they\u00a0agree? What\u00a0occurs\u00a0when\u00a0a\u00a0small\u00a0group’s\u00a0fundamental\u00a0interests\u00a0are\u00a0harmed? What\u00a0should\u00a0be\u00a0done\u00a0if\u00a0a\u00a0temporary\u00a0majority\u00a0insists\u00a0on\u00a0making\u00a0a\u00a0decision\u00a0that\u00a0could\u00a0have\u00a0serious\u00a0ramifications\u00a0down\u00a0the\u00a0road? But\u00a0do\u00a0they\u00a0have\u00a0the\u00a0right\u00a0to\u00a0rule\u00a0without\u00a0opposition\u00a0if\u00a0a\u00a0stable\u00a0but\u00a0small\u00a0majority\u00a0is\u00a0established?\u00a0she\u00a0questioned.In\u00a0multicultural\u00a0nations\u00a0like\u00a0India,\u00a0where\u00a0people\u00a0hold\u00a0a\u00a0great\u00a0deal\u00a0of\u00a0significance\u00a0for\u00a0one\u00a0another’s\u00a0numerous\u00a0identities,\u00a0this\u00a0question\u00a0is\u00a0particularly\u00a0serious. “It\u00a0does\u00a0not\u00a0help\u00a0peace\u00a0or\u00a0harmony\u00a0in\u00a0society\u00a0if\u00a0people\u00a0worry\u00a0that\u00a0their\u00a0language,\u00a0religious\u00a0practice,\u00a0or\u00a0way\u00a0of\u00a0life\u00a0could\u00a0be\u00a0permanently\u00a0threatened\u00a0only\u00a0because\u00a0they\u00a0were\u00a0not\u00a0many\u00a0in\u00a0number,”\u00a0the\u00a0speaker\u00a0said. Jawaharlal\u00a0Nehru\u00a0once\u00a0observed\u00a0that\u00a0“democracy\u00a0is\u00a0good.”\u00a0Gandhi\u00a0used\u00a0this\u00a0to\u00a0argue\u00a0that\u00a0democracy\u00a0is\u00a0not\u00a0a\u00a0perfect\u00a0system. Because\u00a0other\u00a0systems\u00a0are\u00a0worse,\u00a0I\u00a0say\u00a0this. It\u00a0contains\u00a0flaws\u00a0as\u00a0well\u00a0as\u00a0strengths.The\u00a0freedom\u00a0fighters\u00a0established\u00a0guidelines\u00a0to\u00a0prevent\u00a0these\u00a0maladies,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0written\u00a0Constitution,\u00a0citizens’\u00a0fundamental\u00a0rights\u00a0against\u00a0the\u00a0government,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0secularism\u00a0principle,\u00a0because\u00a0they\u00a0knew\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0experience\u00a0of\u00a0democracy\u00a0in\u00a0other\u00a0nations\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0system\u00a0is\u00a0prone\u00a0to\u00a0illnesses. She\u00a0stated:\u00a0“It\u00a0is\u00a0time\u00a0for\u00a0us\u00a0too,\u00a0to\u00a0find\u00a0our\u00a0own\u00a0solutions\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0challenges\u00a0of\u00a0today,\u00a0and\u00a0in\u00a0doing\u00a0so,\u00a0serve\u00a0and\u00a0honour\u00a0our\u00a0nation.”\u00a0She\u00a0noted\u00a0that\u00a0progressive\u00a0people\u00a0in\u00a0India\u00a0have\u00a0always\u00a0tried\u00a0to\u00a0find\u00a0solutions\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0times’\u00a0challenges. Knowing\u00a0from\u00a0the\u00a0experience\u00a0of\u00a0democracy\u00a0in\u00a0other\u00a0countries\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0system\u00a0is\u00a0prone\u00a0to\u00a0illnesses,\u00a0the\u00a0freedom\u00a0fighters\u00a0established\u00a0guidelines\u00a0to\u00a0prevent\u00a0these\u00a0maladies,\u00a0such\u00a0as\u00a0a\u00a0written\u00a0Constitution,\u00a0citizens’\u00a0fundamental\u00a0rights\u00a0against\u00a0the\u00a0government,\u00a0and\u00a0the\u00a0secularism\u00a0principle. She\u00a0said:\u00a0“It\u00a0is\u00a0time\u00a0for\u00a0us\u00a0too,\u00a0to\u00a0find\u00a0our\u00a0own\u00a0solutions\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0challenges\u00a0of\u00a0today,\u00a0and\u00a0in\u00a0doing\u00a0so,\u00a0serve\u00a0and\u00a0honour\u00a0our\u00a0nation.” She\u00a0pointed\u00a0out\u00a0that\u00a0progressive\u00a0Indians\u00a0have\u00a0always\u00a0looked\u00a0for\u00a0answers\u00a0to\u00a0the\u00a0problems\u00a0of\u00a0the\u00a0day.        <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[67,89,54],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-header","category-national","category-political"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\nSecularism Has Become Pejorative For Those Now In Power:Sonia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Congress\u00a0leader\u00a0Sonia\u00a0Gandhi\u00a0described\u00a0secularism\u00a0as\u00a0the\u00a0cornerstone\u00a0of\u00a0India's\u00a0democracy\u00a0and\u00a0claimed\u00a0that\u00a0the\u00a0term\u00a0secular\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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