The concept of secularism concerns justice and fair play free of religious interventions which have repeatedly been a source of divisiveness, oppression and conflict. In India secularism is confined to mean concern for religious minorities and nothing else. Our constitutional provision on secularism is not a static doctrine but a dynamic principle for practice. Hence we need to assimilate the expanding ethics of secularism as an effective mechanism for maintenance of a wholesome socio-political system as well as our own inner development.
The Western concept of secularism predominantly based on justice
and entirely divorced from religion is not suitable in Indian context where
people are intensely religious by nature. Our ethics of secularism is
essentially shaped from within the framework of rules and precepts of prevalent
religions for unanimous acceptability.
Atheistic secularists
Every religion prescribes ethics for followers in the context of
contemporary necessity, not necessarily having universal applicability beyond time and
locality. Religious secularists should rise above the same in case it is
antagonistic to the spirit of secularism. The atheist secularists also must not
say like Dostoevsky, “If God is dead, everything is permitted.” Every
secularist must be governed by collective conscience, contemporary necessity
and impeccable honesty.
It is often presumed that ethics and values associated
with secularism are universal, comprising of truth, non-violence, non-stealing,
fair play and sexual restraint to the permissible extent. These cannot be
considered to be enough for practice of effective secularism amidst growing
socio-ethical challenges faced by us today.
No monopoly over wisdom
The cardinal principle followed by any secular society is
spontaneous acceptance of religious diversity and mutual respect for people of
different religions and contributing to different faiths including atheism. In
a shared society no one has monopoly over wisdom.
Hence diversity of faith and practice need to be respected and not merely
tolerated with superiority complex and inward pity as is usually done. This is
the hallmark of secular ethics and any compromise on this weakens secular
credentials.
Secularism is not compatible with casteism or communalism.
It has to be based on the principle of equality. Religions as
practised have tended to be divisive and sectarian to a large extent. But
secularism cannot afford to be divisive, not even to those who do not subscribe
to secularism.
Empathy and humanism
Indulgence in corruption or illegal gratification by misuse of power is essentially unjust and divisive.
Acquiring wealth through corruption to get higher rank and privilege
defeats the core principle of secularism. Those who are corrupt cannot claim to
be secular. They are divisive and are enemies of secularism.
Secular people must be empathetic and philanthropic. They
should think and act for common welfare over and above narrow personal gains.
They must be empathic to all and be humanistic. Since
interdependence is the law of nature environmental protection and maintenance
of ecological balance should also be a matter of concern.
Secularism involves rising above religions for justice and fair
play but not abandoning the eternal human quest for truth. Introspection and meditation through any path is admissible to
secularists. Freedom from bondage of religious ties should enable
pursuit of wisdom and well-being of all.
Mere religious secularism without acceptance of dynamic
ethical principles associated with it sounds empty and is
self-deceptive. We must adopt true secular values and ethics for a
brighter democracy and better tomorrow in individual and social life.
