Weaponization of secularism and blasphemy explained

Secularism and blasphemy are burning issues in the country. Exactly how a communist cries of democratic infringement, a communal cries of secularism. The Indian version of secularism is twisted and imposed in such a way that its burden is borne by the selected few.

Historical Take

A developed nation-state cannot be found on the basis of communalism, but India cannot flourish without its Bharatiya roots. We were the golden bird long before secularism. Palas promoted Islam in Bengal; the Khajuraho group, known as the sculptor’s heaven built by Chandella Rajputs, hosted a number of Jain temples; Emperor Ashoka promoted Buddhism; and Satvahanas were matriarchal Brahmans. Vatsyayana composed Kamasutra, Kama being one of the four goals of Purushartha, was not renounced, and Charvaka, the father of materialism/Lokayata, was not condemned to death. India needs no lesson from those who did not grow out of their primitive nativism.

Arth or Economics

The Hindu rate of growth, now used in economics to denote a sluggish improvement, seems to have missed the Gupta Age, which made India one of the leading economies, the Lohara Dynasty under Lalitaditya Muktapida, the Vijayanagara Empire, the Cholas, and the Pandyas, to name a few.

It still amazes how Adam Smith and not Vishnugupta Chankya became the father of economics, given that the latter was at least a thousand years older.

The 1900s and roots

The word was brought to India during the 1900s by freedom “politicians.” It denotes equal respect for all religions. It grew, however, into the equal validity of all religions. While Christianity has more or less become redundant in the west, dumping the religion much like their waste is a common practice that continues to date. JS Mill, in his book, On Liberty, in 1859, argues in favor of free speech, saying that no matter how provocative an idea, it must be spoken. India seems to have adopted it with partial implementation.

Phony secularism became a jibe, used whenever concerns of any group were voiced. In 1919, Gandhi, who was undoubtedly very proud of his roots, suggested using a religious cause as political. Tilak warned in vain. As soon as the Khilafat movement fizzled, Gandhi was sacked.

Every party and every leader parrots Gandhi until the time comes to implement him. Politicizing the minority religion to shun the majority and suppress them with repeated taunts will only delay the desired amendments. The murder of Kanhaiya Lal speaks loudly of our secular agendas. Quoting Sita Ram Goel,” all scoundrels may not be secular, but all secular are scoundrels.”

Do words, photos and symbols hurt centuries-old belief?

Blasphemy, by definition, means unsolicited opinions, images, words, or cues that disrespect certain beliefs. Blasphemy laws exist to protect any mischief intended to hurt and victimize any community. Mockery of religion, dress code, and eating habits is the lowest kind of hit any individual or community can make. A free country like ours needs to grow out of the shambles of such petty issues.

Does blasphemy not apply when conversion stages are used to launch campaigns and propaganda statements? Seeing eye to eye with such a mob is not an easy job, especially since every minor incident is used to blame a caste (Hathras rape), a religion (Shraddha-Aftab), or a community (slogan of Tilak Taraju aur talwar, inko maro joote char/ritual mark, weight, swords, beat them with shoes). https://www.bhaskar.com/local/mp/bhopal/news/said-tilak-scales-and-sword-hit-them-with-four-shoes-congress-asked-what-are-they-saying-131188092.html

Exceptions to exist in a free world

Blasphemy doesn’t amount to citing books, provided they are not misquoted. If an individual or a community cannot take minor criticism, it reflects its own shallowness.

Every individual must be free to follow whatever their conscience and the law of the land permits. The country is in dire need of a uniform civil code to protect its citizens. Secularism is needed in its true sense, and blasphemy is a big accusation. Throwing these words here and there will reduce them to gibberish.