Secularism and Politics of “Secularism.” Part 1.

For past ten twelve years this word secularism has been the focus of much debate, but that is all about it. People are as confused as they were.

However, focus of my writing this article is the politics of “SECULARISM”. Since 1990 this word has been the axis of our national politics. The entire political spectrum is divided in to two categories. “Secular” and “Communal.” Who is secular and who is communal depends on which side OF POLITICAL DIVIDE you are.

If by any chance you are politically inclined towards the Congress then you are automatically conferred the title of “SECULARIST.” If you are a supporter of BJP then you are communal and no amount of reasoning will justify your being a “SECULAR.” Further the more you denounce HINDU, HINDI and HINDUSTAN the more “Secular” you become. A Mani Shankar, self claimed “SECULAR FUNDAMENTALIST”, takes pride and stakes his claim to be more secular than others since HE EATS BEEF. Need you more proof?
And if you take pride in your customs, heritage, nation and any thing remotely connected with Hinduism you are labeled as “Communal.”

Keeping the above-mentioned political scene in mind, let us ponder over the word “SECULARISM.”

We take pride in calling our self as the biggest democracy. We all citizens of India have the right to vote once we turn 18 irrespective of cast, creed or sex. We elect our self a government and give them a right to govern us constitutionally. One-man one vote is a sacrosanct principal of democracy. This is where we need to focus and find the root cause of “SECULARISM” V/S “COMMUNALISM.”

Hindus though are numerically in majority but are not considered so. Because they are believed, (rightly so), to be divided in various caste and factions and never vote, for or against, in bloc. Muslims on the contrary are believed to be a minority community but still considered (and again rightly so) a potential vote bank is much sought after by political parties. Why? It is not difficult to judge as they can influence electoral fortunes of any political party by voting in bloc either in favor or against. No other community has this advantage. Thus they enjoy attention of every “secular” party.

Each party in the “secular” camp is ever eager to be seen as the benefactor of Muslims. To be SEEN is more important then to do something substantial for them. To be seen is so important that these so called “secularists” would go to any length. Take the case of Paswan asking for a Muslim CM in Bihar elections. A Lallo parading an Osama look-alike. Congress appointing a committee to count Muslim heads in our defense forces.

To all right thinking persons this is pure mathematics in the guise of “secularism”.

In second part we shall discuss how is the politics being played in the MEDIA. And shall also probe how the MEDIA has been indulging in the politics of “SECULARISM”

Regards,
THE PRUDENT

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