When all religious scriptures stress on brotherhood and humanity, why do we witness communal strife in our nation? Demystifying the phenomenon were speakers of different faiths at a seminar titled ‘Strengthening Indian Secular Democracy’, jointly organised by the Rajaji Centre for Public Affairs, Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought and the Church of South India Inter-faith Dialogue Centre, recently.
Subhashini Ali, daughter of late Captain Lakshmi Sehgal — who was part of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army – set the ball rolling. In her address, she averred that citizens had as important a role as the State in maintaining secularism.
“Communalism, by instigating parochial feelings of an extreme form, gives rise to identity politics.” She added that identity politics involved leaders creating an anti-thesis for a particular caste or religion and feeding off their fear for this creation. “Thus, politicians only need to create the impression that they are the custodians of the faith in concern; no development work needs to be done,” she elucidated.
The Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali stated that secularism is the oxygen on which the nation survives. Pointing out that the recent scams had lowered India in the eyes of the world, he underlined the necessity for good leaders, for secularism to survive. Retired IAS officer Moosa Raza, while making a pitch for efficient administration, recalled how during his tenure instant action helped quell unrest in communally-sensitive areas. He decried that the morale among the district administrations, in general, is low and their competence perennially questioned.
However, Fr Dr Patrick Gnanapragasam, HoD of Christian Studies, University of Madras, exuded confidence on strengthening of pluralism in the nation. “While vested interests tend to dissipate secularist tendencies, it is for the civil society groups to cultivate the same.” Another speaker, Bhaskar Bharati, struck a chord with Dr Gnanapragasam. “Secularism is inherent in the Indian ethos,” he said, while quoting from the Kamba Ramayanam, Periya Puranam and Thirukkural.
G Narayanaswamy, president, Rajaji Centre for Public Affairs, narrated a humorous incident to drive home his point. “An autorickshaw driver, regardless of the community to which his passenger belongs to, would curse him if he haggles over the fare, and vice-versa. So much for communalism.”
A Faizur Rehman, secretary general, Islamic Centre for the Promotion of Moderate Thought, and Javed Anand, general secretary of Muslims for Secular Democracy, were among the other speakers at the event.
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