News Analysis India

Tag: Secularism

  • Sickening to see violence against Muslims celebrated in India: Indian American actress Padma Lakshmi

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Asserting that there is no threat to Hinduism in India or anywhere else, Indian American supermodel and author Padma Lakshmi on Wednesday said people of all faiths should be able to live peacefully in “this ancient, vast land”.

    The 51-year-old, who posted a series of tweets, said there is “widespread anti-Muslim” rhetoric in the country and hoped Hindus don’t succumb to “this fear-mongering” and “propaganda”.

    Fellow Hindus, don’t succumb to this fear-mongering. There is no threat to Hinduism in India or anywhere else. True spirituality doesn’t include any room for sowing hatred of any kind.People of all faiths should be able to live peacefully together in this ancient, vast land.
    — Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) April 27, 2022
    Tagging news articles from international publications like The Guardian and Los Angeles Times on Delhi’s Jahangirpuri clash between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession and the violence in Khargone city of Madhya Pradesh during Ram Navami celebrations earlier this month, Lakshmi said “true spirituality” has no place for hatred.

    “Sickening to see the violence against Muslims celebrated in India. The widespread anti-Muslim rhetoric preys on fear and poisons people. This propaganda is dangerous and nefarious because when you consider someone less than it’s much easier to participate in their oppression,” she wrote.

    The New York-based “Top Chef” star said all faiths should live together peacefully. “Fellow Hindus, don’t succumb to this fear-mongering. There is no threat to Hinduism in India or anywhere else. True spirituality doesn’t include any room for sowing hatred of any kind. People of all faiths should be able to live peacefully together in this ancient, vast land,” she tweeted.

    The Jahangirpuri violence, which erupted on April 16, left eight police personnel and a local resident injured. Almost a week later, a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ was taken out by Hindu and Muslim residents of the area to give a message of peace and harmony.

  • Sickening to see violence against Muslims celebrated in India: Padma Lakshmi

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Asserting that there is no threat to Hinduism in India or anywhere else, Indian American supermodel and author Padma Lakshmi on Wednesday said people of all faiths should be able to live peacefully in “this ancient, vast land”.

    The 51-year-old, who posted a series of tweets, said there is “widespread anti-Muslim” rhetoric in the country and hoped Hindus don’t succumb to “this fear-mongering” and “propaganda”.

    Fellow Hindus, don’t succumb to this fear-mongering. There is no threat to Hinduism in India or anywhere else. True spirituality doesn’t include any room for sowing hatred of any kind.People of all faiths should be able to live peacefully together in this ancient, vast land.
    — Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) April 27, 2022
    Tagging news articles from international publications like The Guardian and Los Angeles Times on Delhi’s Jahangirpuri clash between two communities during a Hanuman Jayanti procession and the violence in Khargone city of Madhya Pradesh during Ram Navami celebrations earlier this month, Lakshmi said “true spirituality” has no place for hatred.

    “Sickening to see the violence against Muslims celebrated in India. The widespread anti-Muslim rhetoric preys on fear and poisons people. This propaganda is dangerous and nefarious because when you consider someone less than it’s much easier to participate in their oppression,” she wrote.

    The New York-based “Top Chef” star said all faiths should live together peacefully. “Fellow Hindus, don’t succumb to this fear-mongering. There is no threat to Hinduism in India or anywhere else. True spirituality doesn’t include any room for sowing hatred of any kind. People of all faiths should be able to live peacefully together in this ancient, vast land,” she tweeted.

    The Jahangirpuri violence, which erupted on April 16, left eight police personnel and a local resident injured. Almost a week later, a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ was taken out by Hindu and Muslim residents of the area to give a message of peace and harmony.

  • Trolled on social media, Army deletes tweet on ‘iftaar’ party in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district

    By PTI

    JAMMU: The Army’s tweet about holding of an ‘Iftaar’ party for the civilian population in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district was removed after trolling allegedly by extremist elements who felt offended by the pictures highlighting the secular character of the armed forces.

    The now-deleted tweet on the Twitter handle of PRO Defence Jammu read “keeping alive the traditions of secularism, an Iftaar was organized by the Indian Army at Arnora in Doda district”. It was accompanied by several photographs showing the Army and civilian breaking the Ramzan fast together, a senior officer interacting with locals and a uniformed person joining ‘Namaz’ (prayers).

    अब यह बीमारी भारतीय सेना में भी घुस गईं हैं? दुःखद … https://t.co/AiRkdLUUBl
    — Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) April 21, 2022
    However, the tweet, which was uploaded on April 21, was deleted within hours after the handle came under attack from the trolls who were apparently against the secular character of the Army, a practice followed by the force which holds ‘Sarva Dharma Sthal’ — a place of worship for all religions in all its formations across the country.

    Though an Army spokesperson declined to comment on the issue, an Army officer on the condition of anonymity said the force had not only tweeted about the function but also issued an official release as Iftaar parties are a regular feature during the fasting month of Ramzan to build a strong bond with the public.

    It was surprising and sad to see the reaction of certain people to the tweet which triggered unnecessary debate and was killing the basic message of upholding communal harmony, the officer said. “Now this disease has spread even in the Indian Army? Sad,” a tweet in Hindi by a social media user referring to the Army hosting the Iftaar party triggered a debate in support and against the Army.

    Indian Army has been at the forefront of interfaith harmony.We as officer’s take pride in the fact that we have NO religion, we just adopt the religion of the troops we command! https://t.co/7nUSPapgq9
    — Maj Gen (Dr) YashMor (@YashMor5) April 22, 2022
    However, the removal of the tweet from the Army handle did not go down well with the veteran soldiers. “Indian Army has been at the forefront of interfaith harmony. We as officers take pride in the fact that we have NO religion, we just adopt the religion of the troops we command,” Maj Gen (retd) Yash Mor tweeted.

  • Secularism has harmed Muslims, says AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday asked Muslims to shun “political secularism” saying it has not helped the socially and educationally backward sections of the community in getting a quota in jobs and education.

    Addressing a rally in suburban Mumbai, Owaisi said he believes in secularism enshrined in Constitution.

    “What did Muslims get out of secularism? We did not get a reservation in jobs and education. We didn’t have participation in decision-making…no rights,” the All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president said, adding that the word secularism has harmed Muslims.

    In Maharashtra, only 22 per cent of Muslims take admission in primary schools while only 4.9 per cent of Muslims graduate.

    He said 83 per cent of Muslims in Maharashtra are landless.

    “Does the heart of Congress, NCP and Shiv Sena beat only for Marathas?” he questioned.

    The standard of living of Marathas is much higher compared to Muslims in Maharashtra, he claimed.

    Referring to the imposition of section 144 of CrPC in Mumbai, which was brought in to check the spread of Omicron variant of coronavirus, Owaisi questioned if prohibitory orders will remain in place when Rahul Gandhi visits the Maharashtra capital later this month.

    “That time it will not be Omircron but power…,” he said.

    The Hyderabad MP said Congress and NCP joined hands with Sena for power and forgot the assurance of implementing a 5 per cent quota in jobs and education for the Muslim community.

    “Congress and NCP blame AIMIM for cutting secular votes. Is Shiv Sena secular? When (Sena president and Maharashtra CM) Uddhav Thackeray says in the legislature that he is proud that Shiv Sainiks destroyed the Babri mosque then these two parties kept quiet,” Owaisi said.

    The NCP and Congress are partners in the Sena-headed Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

    The erstwhile Congress-NCP government in Maharashtra had provided 5 per cent reservation to Muslims in jobs and education in 2014.

    The Bombay HC quashed the Maratha quota but upheld the Muslim quota in education.

    Opposition alleges that between 2014 and 2019, the issue of implementing this quota for Muslims was allegedly not taken up by the then BJP-Shiv Sena government.

    Speaking at the same rally, Aurangabad MP and Maharashtra AIMIM chief Imtiyaz Jaleel, who travelled to Mumbai by road from his constituency in Marathwada in 13 hours, alleged all attempts were made to stop him from reaching Mumbai.

    “Mumbai lo main aa gaya…” he told the charged audience.

    He thanked the police saying they were acting on orders from the top.

    “They were doing their job and I am doing my job,” Jaleel said.

    “We have to question the government on (the failure to implement) 5 per cent quota (for Muslims) and irregularities in Waqf land,” he said.

    Jaleel alleged that prohibitory orders in Mumbai are an excuse to stop the AIMIM rally.

    “Is the Omicron variant spreads only on December 11 and 12? Will it go away on December 13?” he asked.

    Jaleel alleged that Muslims have been used as a “toy” for securing votes during elections.

    He said Muslims should learn from Marathas on the quota demand.

    Jaleel alleged that 93,000 acres of Waqf land have been misappropriated and that he has lodged nine FIRs so far as he is a member of the Waqf Board.

    “Despite the Bombay High Court upholding 5 per cent quota in education and jobs for Muslims, the decision hasn’t been implemented. When Congress and NCP were in opposition, they would fight with BJP and Sena for implementing the quota for Muslims. But now despite being in power for two years, nothing has happened on the quota front,” he said.

    Jaleel said heavy police deployment at Vashi while entering Mumbai made him think whether he was an MP or a terrorist.

    “I was stopped by a police officer asking me to remove the tricolour from my vehicle. I was told that I will not be allowed to proceed with the flag. I told the police that they can keep my vehicle. I will walk to Mumbai with the tricolour,” he said.

    Jaleel said the country can’t progress if Muslims are deprived of their rights.

  • Offering ‘namaz’ in open spaces will not be tolerated: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

    By PTI

    CHANDIGARH: With several Hindu outfits objecting to Friday prayers being offered in open spaces in Gurgaon, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said the practice of offering ‘namaz’ in the open “will not be tolerated”.

    He also said that the district administration’s prior decision to reserve some spots for holding prayers in open spaces has been withdrawn and the state government will now work out an amicable solution to the issue.

    “The practice of offering namaz here (Gurgaon) in open spaces will not be tolerated… But we all will sit to find an amicable solution. Everyone should get the facility (to offer prayers), but nobody should infringe on others’ rights. It will not be allowed,” the chief minister told reporters in Gurgaon, responding to a question on the objections raised by several right-wing outfits to offering ‘namaz’ in open spaces in the NCR city.

    On withdrawing the district administration’s decision to earmark some places for holding prayers in open spaces, he said, “We have told the police and the Deputy Commissioner that this issue has to be resolved…If somebody offers namaz, holds paaths at one’s place we have no objection to that. Religious places are built for this very purpose that people go there and offer prayers.”

    ALSO READ| Haryana police detain 20 protesters in Gurugram for trying to disrupt namaz

    “Such programmes should not be held in open spaces. Confrontation should be avoided by offering namaz in open spaces. We will also not allow confrontation (to build between two sides),” he said.

    Over the past some months, members of some Hindu outfits have been gathering at sites where the Muslim community offers ‘namaz’ in open space, and raising “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram” slogans.

    Three years ago, the district administration had designated 37 sites in Gurgaon city for Muslims to offer Friday namaz after which there were protests by some Hindu groups. A few months ago, one group started protests against the prayers offered in the open after which there have been protests on Fridays for the past several weeks.

  • Secularism constitutional, moral commitment for BJP: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Senior BJP leader and Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Sunday took a swipe at opposition parties and said they treat secularism as their “political proprietorship” to “deceit” its constitutional essence.

    Inaugurating the BJP’s Minority Morcha national executive, he said secularism is the constitutional and moral commitment for the BJP but the “pseudo secular syndicate” has misused it as a “vote catching tool”.

    He also cited figures to assert that a large number of minorities have benefitted from the Modi government’s welfare policies, like building houses for the poor, free cooking gas connections and cash transfer to farmers.

    Attacking the Congress, he alleged that since independence “political merchants of minority votes” have played tricks to dupe the minorities and conspired to grab their votes by creating atmosphere of fear, raising bogey of intolerance, spinning web of religion and spreading rumours, according to a statement.

    He said the Modi government is committed to “sabka sath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayas” to ensure development with dignity of all sections, including the minorities.

    “The pseudo political champions of secularism deliberately neglected the socio-economic-educational empowerment of minorities.

    Political parties which enjoyed power for the maximum time in the country adopted the path of divide and rule by using secularism for their political convenience,” Naqvi alleged.

    He said opposition parties have treated secularism as their “political proprietorship” to “deceit” the constitutional essence of secularism.

    Minorities have to be remain cautious of the parties wearing the “veil of secularism” while peddling conspiracies, he said, claiming that they have now understood the reality and supporting the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP’s policies.

    The BJP believes in “development with dignity” and “development without discrimination”, he said.

    The government during the last seven years has worked for inclusive empowerment with commitment to constitutional values and has ensured all the sections of society become equal partner in development process, Naqvi said.

    The Modi government’s Inclusive development has finished off “appeasement politics”, he claimed.

    He said “historic” steps taken by the Modi government to ensure progress and prosperity of minorities include employment and employment opportunities to more than 5.

    50 lakh artisans, craftsmen through “hunar haat”, scholarships to more than five crore minority students and decrease in school drop-out rate among Muslim girls from 70 percent to about 30 percent.

    Out of over two crore people who benefitted from the Modi government’s housing project, 31 percent are minorities, while 33 percent of 12 crore farmers “Kisan Samman Nidhi” are also minorities, he said.

    Nearly 37 percent of eight crore “Ujjwala Yojana” beneficiaries are minority women, he added.

  • Gujarat Deputy CM says talks about Constitution, secularism will last only till Hindus are majority in India

    By PTI

    HMEDABAD: Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel has said that talks about India’s Constitution, laws and secularism will last only as long as Hindus are in majority in the country, and none of the country’s “courts, Lok Sabha, Constitution, secularism” will remain in case Hindus are reduced to a minority.

    “Those talking about the Constitution, laws, secularism will continue to do so only as long as Hindus are in majority in this country.

    May god prevent this from happening, but if in another 1,000-2,000 years, the number of Hindus reduces, and (the number of) people from another religion increases, there will be no courts, Lok Sabha, Constitution, secularism…they will all vanish in thin air, nothing will remain,” he said.

    Addressing an event on Friday to mark the idol installation ceremony at a temple of goddess Bharat Mata in Gandhinagar organised by Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), he added that he was not talking about all the Muslims or Christians, as a large number of them are patriots.

    “I do not talk about all of them. Thousands and lakhs of Muslims, Christians are patriots. Thousands of Muslims are in the Indian Army, hundreds of Muslims are in Gujarat police force. They are all patriots. But (I am talking about those) who are not,” he said.

    Patel criticised a Muslim organisation (Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind) for challenging the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021 – that seeks to stop religious conversions through interfaith marriages using force – and wondered why it was troubled by the law even when it is not religion-specific.

    He said that the government brought an amendment to the Act after much deliberation due to the concerns raised over cases of “love jihad”.

    “I have to ask those who have moved writ in the court, will you still challenge the Act if somebody (from another religion) takes away your daughter (for forcible marriage and converts her religion)?… I have to ask that organisation as to what is their objection to Hindu girls marrying Hindus, Muslim girls marrying Muslims, Christian girls marrying Christians, Sikh girls marrying Sikhs,” he said.

    Patel said that when the law applies equally to a Hindu boy forcibly entering into a marriage and converting a Muslim girl, then why only the Muslim organisation was troubled by the law.

    The Gujarat High Court had recently stayed several sections of the controversial Act till the pendency of the case.

    “People of their community should (rather) issue public statements, hold press conferences, and thank (state Home minister) Pradipsinh (Jadeja), the BJP government, and say they support and welcome the law for ensuring the unity, safety of Gujarat and protection of its daughters from every religion.

    Why are they troubled, this I do not understand,” he said.

    The BJP leader said that because of the landmark works of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah at the Centre, like removing Article 370, ensuring construction of Lord Ram temple, strengthening every religion.

    Patel also thanked Jadeja for ensuring that Lord Jagannath Yatra in Ahmedabad and 157 other Yatras across Gujarat were taken out this year by taking precautions so that the number of COVID-19 cases do not go up.

  • Indian Leftists extreme than Karl Marx, should define secularism in context of  civilization: Assam CM

    By PTI
    GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday asserted that the concept of secularism needs to be defined in the context of ‘Indian civilisation’.

    Attacking Leftist intellectuals, liberals and the media, Sarma claimed the country’s intellectual society is still dominated by the left-liberals with the media giving them more space while ignoring alternate voices.

    “An intellectual terrorism has been unleashed and the Lefts in the country are more leftists than Karl Marx. There is no democracy in media… they have no space for Indian civilisation but there is space for Karl Marx and Lenin”, he claimed.

    Mediapersons may agree in private to an alternative narrative but they prefer giving space to left -liberals saying that this reflects an independent view, Sarma alleged.

    “The left thinking has to be challenged and more thought-provoking books based on history, of our long struggle for existence must be documented in the right perspective”, he said.

    The Chief Minister however did not specify how secularism would be defined in the context of Indian civilisation, though he asserted that India India has been a secular country since Rig Vedic times.

    “We have given the concept of secularism and humanity to the world. Our civilisation is five thousand years old and we have accepted diversity of thought, religion and culture since ages”, the Chief Minister said.

    Referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act, Sarma said that there are two perspectives on this- for protestors outside Assam, the demand is why should only Hindus be given citizenship, Muslim migrants should also be covered.

    In Assam, however, the protest against the Act was that neither Hindus nor Muslims from other countries should be given citizenship.

    “It was the so-called secular protestors at the national level who tried to give a communal colour to the entire protests”, he said.

    The CAA is for those “who are victims of partition and not beneficiaries of a communal country created on the basis of religion”, he said.