New Delhi: Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi, while speaking at an event in Kanyakumari on Sunday, said that secularism is a European concept and is not necessary for India. He added that people of India have been subjected to several deceptions, one of which is the misinterpretation of secularism. “What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European idea, not an Indian one,” the governor said.
‘Secularism in Europe emerged due to conflict between church & monarchy’
He then went on to explain that secularism in Europe emerged as a result of the conflict between the church and the monarchy. He added that during India’s independence and the drafting of the Constitution, some people wanted to discuss secularism. However, all the members of the Constituent Assembly questioned its relevance, asking if there were any conflicts in India that necessitated such a concept. “India was born from dharma. Where is the room for conflict in dharma?” the governor asked.
“Secularism is a European concept. It is sufficient if it exists only there. There is no need for secularism in India,” said Ravi. He criticized former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for incorporating secularism into the preamble of the constitution through an amendment. “After 25 years, during the Emergency, a prime minister in a state of insecurity added secularism to the constitution to appease certain sections of the population,” the governor alleged.
Opposition leaders call his remarks irresponsible
His remarks have created a huge row, with opposition leaders calling it an “irresponsible”. “Tamil Nadu governor’s statement that secularism is not an Indian concept is perplexing. This means that the country’s Constitution doesn’t hold much value for him, and he even thinks this to be a foreign concept,” said CPM leader Brinda Karat, while talking to news agency IANS.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan said that secularism was very much an Indian concept due to presence of many religions in the country. “India is the motherland of Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, Shaivism and Vaishnavism. Secularism is the most needed concept in India, not in Europe,” Elangovan added.
CPI leader D Raja wondered if the TN governor knew about secularism and India. He added that being a governor Ravi should abide by the Constitution. “Secularism means keeping religion and politics separate, don’t bring Gods for electoral purposes,” D Raja said to news agency ANI.
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