SECULARISM
Views of P.M. Gujral On Secularism
Secularism is not a matter of policy. Indian unity is not a matter of policy. They are matters of faith and basic commitments by the Indian nation. So you can't discuss these. You can discuss the CTBT, you can discuss SAARC, and you can discuss petroleum prices. But not secularism. How can you discuss it, the paramount principles of India are the foundation of the nation. I can’t start building the entire nation from the first brick now.
That is why I am not discussing secularism. That is where our sharp differences with the Opposition continue. But democracies in the world survive when in policies you are able to evolve a high percentage of consensuses. On basic premises parties differ. On ideologies parties differ.
The principles of the Indian nation state are not negotiable. I have said it time and again. I have said that on record in Parliament. That secularism, integrity of the nation are non-negotiable. After that everything is possible.
CPI (M): On Synchronized Movement against Communalism
Neither communalism or casteism is the biggest menace. It is economic crisis from which other menace shave sprung. If economic crisis is tackled then war against communalism and casteism becomes comparatively easy.
The Congress is not a communal force. Though its authoritarian character has now become extinct it still can’t be called democratic. Despite such lacunae we feel, particularly after the Ayodhya incident, that there is a need for a Synchronized movement against communalism in which Left forces and the Congress can take part from separate platforms.
Temple-Hopper Gowda
Before Deve Gowda begins on the next phase of its political career, he plans to visit Kathmandu, along with his family, and seek the blessings of Lord Pashupatiat the magnificent temple-where the chief pujari incidentally is an Indian.
On Minorities Rights Editorial,. The Hindustan Times, 8 Feb., 1997
The Constitution accorded the right to the minorities to run their own educational institutions and the "right to conserve" their "language, script or culture” It cannot be denied that this wise step helped India to blossom as an ideal multi-cultural State. What the Constitution did not envisage, however, was that, in course of time, these rights and privileges would become virtual playthings in the hands of politicians and used more to set apart the various communities than to integrate them.
In determining the question of which group constitutes a minority by setting up a large bench, the Supreme Court obviously wants to clear all confusions in this respect. The step is all the more necessary because the privileges enjoyed by minority institutions persuaded respectable organisation like the Ramakrishna Mission to claim that its followers were not Hindus, so that it could also enjoy such rights. Clarifications are necessary because religious and linguistic minorities in one State may be in the majority in another and vice versa. Even as the judicial verdict is required to ensure that Articles 29and 30 are not misused by crafty politicians and
"Educationists", it has to be ensured that no citizen, of whatever caste or creed, feels aggrieved because of the special rights enjoyed by a certain group. The rights of religion, culture, language, etc., have to be preserved, of course, but they must blend harmoniously with the overall citizenship rights.
Dawn of Secularism
The auspicious dawn of secularism has just set in. I refer to the news 'Hindu Priests Pay homage to Haj Pilgrims' (April 21). This is really admirable. The news brings a true secular outlook for the crores of Indians who feel separated from one another by the fences of religions. It is high time national dailies brought such arise worthy news to light. These are very constructive and helpful for national solidarity and, above all, for the integrity of the nation.
(Rajkishore Barik, Chandbai, Orissa)
The President, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma on May 30 inaugurated the 'veda mandir', constructed at the Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram.
The former President, Mr. R. Venkataraman, also participated in the function.
