TO BE RELEVANT, INDIA'S SECULARISM REQUIRES BETTER INTERPRETATION.

This article's second of three parts discusses Indian secularism and its distinctive features. The paper argues that this secularism must be applicable in the context of a nation with a predominance of Hindus that was formerly a colony.

Jawaharlal Nehru's secular India was largely descended from our colonial masters and rooted only  in the big cities. This was at odds with a predominantly Hindu population that had been ruled by outsiders – Islamic and British invaders – for 1,200 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi calls it "1,200 years of slave mentality". Therefore, secularism must recognize the legitimate and unmet needs of its predominantly Hindu population. Contrary to what the New York Times invariably claims, Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rectifies Nehruvian excesses rather than enforcing majority rules.

How to Make Indian Secularism Work 

The idea of ​​secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution is admirable. This means that all religions are treated equally by law. However, secularism does not mean that all philosophies are the same. Jihadism obviously cannot be accepted as it poses a serious threat to the way of life of  Hindus,  Sufi Muslims and all other non-Muslims. Legally, it's "hate speech," "incitement," and possibly even "treason."

It should be watched and nipped in the bud wherever it occurs, especially in mosques and madrassas. In this context, artificial intelligence-based surveillance technologies, including online tools, should be used. Wahhabism/Salafism has all but eradicated Sufism in the Kashmir Valley. This too requires immediate attention. Some Indian Sufi saints should be viewed as "cultural icons" and Sufism  as "Indian Islam".YouTube videos on Indian Sufism with the teachings of Rumi and Imam Ali should be distributed free of charge. 

Both Shias and Sunnis have Sufi traditions. Therefore, Islamic preachers should be required to pass an online certification that requires them to adhere to the teachings of Sufi saints. In addition, they must sign a statute in which they undertake to obey the laws of the country. Fatwas have no legal status and must be centralized and checked online to comply with basic (statutory) laws in India.Foreign funding to promote Wahhabism and Salafism is now banned, although this hasn't stopped many madrassas. The preachers of these extremist mosques/madrasas must either be retrained in the Sufi faith or banned from preaching forever. If necessary, their movements should also be marked. 

Secularism must also include constitutionally enshrined ideas  such as  freedom of religion. In Hinduism practiced by the masses, Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are two avatars of God.Their birthplaces are considered sacred places. Therefore, the constant need for a temple in the place where Lord Ram is to be born is natural. The Supreme Court's ruling on the controversial website is generally correct, particularly given the extensive documentary and oral evidence presented. Mosques can be converted to Islam. 

The Supreme Court also ruled that politicians cannot use their religion or caste to win votes.This is secularism in practice. Likewise, an exchange of sensitive public matters  (if any) between an unselected RSS and a selected BJP would be legally unfair. Compliance can only be achieved if it is enforced by both parties.

Secularism needs to evolve in other ways as well. For example, all mosques are required by law to be open  to worshipers of other faiths, including women and lower castes such as Sikh Gurdwaras. And it must be applied in temples and churches where it is not. The government should also consider encouraging other faiths to adopt a similar model  to the Sikh  system of "community cooking," at least in biodiverse sanctuaries. The places of worship therefore have practical  value for the poor.

Hinduism and Islam are often considered incompatible. However, the 2013 comparative study by Abid Mushtaq Wani challenges this perception. Wani explains that “Monotheism forms the basis of both religions. Speaking of a uniform concept of God: In both metaphysical worldviews there is only one supreme deity. Whether it is the Brahman of Vedanta or the Allah of Islam, it is  the same.Hence, the two major religions in India do not differ philosophically on the nature of God, which is encouraging for the idea of ​​secularism. Also from a spiritual point of view these religions  support each other. Hinduism offers a solid philosophy while Islam offers lessons about society and human relationships. And Sufism explains these lessons beautifully through poetry.

Equality, brotherhood, charity, hard work, truth and kindness are just some of the values ​​underlying the  major world religions. For secularism to flourish, the government should codify a list of these shared values ​​and incorporate them into school curricula. Stay away from esoteric religious teachings. Akbar's syncretic Din-i-Ilahi can be the starting point for this exercise, as can Sikhism. 

Finally, the Uniform Civil Code (CDU), according to Art. 44, contained in Part IV of the Constitution, is the best way to preserve secularism.Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Parsis are currently governed by their respective personal laws regulating marriage, divorce, maintenance, inheritance, and succession. Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs are included in the Hindu personal law. But these personal laws can create injustice. For example, marriages with more than one wife can bring inequality in inheritance laws across religions. Adopted children can also have different treatments as inheritance is concerned.These matters would be dealt with by the UCC. In fact, the Supreme Court has sought implementation of the UCC in various judgments. 

The Tough Issue of Conversion and Freedom of Religion 

Conversion to religion has always been a thorny issue in rural Hindu  India. According to Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, "All people have the equal right to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate their religion". In 1977 the  Supreme Court of India ruled that the "right of dissemination" referred to the right to broadcast or propagate one's religion, but not the "right to convert".Since then it has become the norm.

In 1999, Graham Stuart Staines and his two young sons were horribly murdered in Odisha. According to far-right activists, Staines and his family converted Adivasi to Christianity under the guise of his missionary work. He has been working in India since 1965. 

In January 2011, the Supreme Court upheld the Supreme Court's decision to commute his killer's sentence to life imprisonment. Fearing media criticism, the Supreme Court then reverted to the following remarks: “Our understanding of secularism is that the state will have no religion.The state treats all religions and religious groups equally and with equal respect, without in any way interfering with their individual rights to religion, belief and worship. The Court also stated: "It is undeniable that there is no justification for interfering in one's beliefs through violence, provocation, proselytizing, incitement, or on the erroneous assumption that one religion is better than another." These comments provide a unique insight into  the Supreme Court's interpretation of secularism. 

There are two separate court decisions on the restructuring. The former predates the current BJP government.In a December 1983 ruling, the Supreme Court ruled that a person whose parents had renounced Hinduism, had been converted and  accepted by Hindu society could use caste reserves. In March 2015, this rule was extended  to all Hindu ancestry. In 1950 independent India introduced a reservation policy for Hindus. The text was changed in 1956 to accommodate Sikhs and  in 1990 Buddhists. Conversions from Hinduism to Christianity and Islam are therefore discouraged (subject to change), while reconversions are encouraged.

According to an periodic report by the US- grounded Freedom House, India’s political and civil liberties have deteriorated since 2014. The report downgraded the country’s status from “ free ” to “ incompletely free. ” 

 

This is primarily due to a crackdown on prominent NGOs for their failure to misbehave with FCRA( foreign backing) regulations; the CAA NRC( citizenship correction) protestors, intelligencers, and activists; and the epidemic lockdowns that penalized the poor. The UN Human Rights Review 2022 asked India to adulterate AFSPA( fortified forces special powers) and look after nonages. nevertheless, India is far ahead of other countries like Russia and China on mortal rights and freedom of expression. Rapid development, for China, as well as India, is a high aspiration. And the US has serious issues around racism towards African- Americans and other nonage groups. Also, on epidemic operation, an IMF Working Paper gives the Indian government a clean virgin overall. adding the food support( sections) was the right response and both extreme poverty and LMI( lower middle- income poverty) would have increased significantly without it. 

 

In March 2020 the Supreme Court upheld government power stating that associations of political nature are banned from entering foreign benefactions under FCRA. In April 2022, it upheld emendations stating no abecedarian or absolute right to admit foreign benefactions. 

Muslims in temporal India Need to Change 

For denomination to be effective, it needs two hands to crack. Muslims in India must come forward, embrace the Sufi beliefs of the key, reject ghettos and divisive ideas, come down forcefully on Jihadism, borrow ultramodern education, and contend openly for the top positions in India’s pots. presently, the Muslim community, 75 of whom are Dalits, lags on every socio- profitable development index, especially in the Hindi heartland. It's true that with partition the political and intellectual elite class of Muslims substantially migrated to Pakistan and there's a real failure of leadership. As a result, Madrassa- educated ministers with a limited worldview have ruled the roost. 

Rahman Khan, a member of the Indian National Congress, says in his book, Indian Muslims The Way Forward, that Indian Muslims have “ an emotional, rather than a rational, ” approach to issues. numerous suffer from “ superficial religiosity ” and have an “ exacting station and lack of an friendly approach ”. “ Religious superiority ” is a point among some. Certain sections uphold “ exclusivist and narrow thinking ” that's fully inferior, especially in a plural society. 

Khan comes down heavily on Muslim ministers for wasting two decades defending Triple Talaq. He makes the point that “ Muslims can not progress if they remain wedded to some centuries-old interpretations, sundries, and practices that aren't in agreement with the spirit of Islam and that stymie their creative presence in the contemporary world. ” He asks Muslims to borrow genuine church with a focus on humanity and mortal values. He asks Muslims to learn about republic and duties as a citizen in a plural society and to set up interfaith discourses.

Therefore, an emphasis on contemporary learning and achievement is essential for the advancement of any community. Allow Muslims to start new schools and colleges and reserve places rather than building more mosques and madrassas in order to strengthen the community. The Madrassa curriculum needs to be drastically modernised, and the success of Singapore should be researched and imitated. To stop ghettoization, the state will also need to take action. State housing regulations in Singapore that mandate demographic representation have been successful in preventing this. In places where Hindus predominate, it is difficult for Muslims to rent or own homes. Furthermore, Jihadism and narrow-minded thinking thrive in Muslim ghettos. The Indian government must ensure that Muslims have an equal right to rent if it wants to stop jihadism.

Muslims should ask themselves what makes small minorities like  Sikhs and Parsi successful in India. Sikhism is also a very conservative religion. However, Sikhs are openly rewarded for their contribution to nation building. The Parsis survived for more than 1,000 years and built modern India. They are extraordinary stories that deserve to be studied and emulated.Central to both  stories is a message of service to society, regardless of religion. Islam has always had this tradition. It is time for Muslims to embrace it. 

Finally, to allay concerns that the RSS is an organ of Hindu supremacy and patriarchy, it would be prudent to actively recruit prominent Muslims to its Muslim wing and prominent women to its women's wing. They should sit down at the table to chart a common path for Indian society based on shared values.Live stream some of these speeches so  Indians can see the synergies.