Secularism a European concept, not needed in India: TN Guv sparks row

Secularism is a European concept, evolved following a conflict between the Church and the king, whereas Bharat is a dharma-centric nation and there was no such conflict and it (secularism) was, hence, not included in the Constitution, but added to it during the Emergency, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has said, leading to a row.

A lot of frauds have been committed on the people of the country, and one of them was a wrong interpretation of secularism, he said addressing an event in Kanyakumari district on Sunday.

“What does secularism mean? It is a European concept, secularism is not a Bharatiya concept,” Ravi said. In Europe, secularism emerged as there was a fight between the Church and the king and in order to end this conflict, which went on for a long time, this concept was evolved, he added.

At the time of Independence, when the Constitution was being drafted, a discussion came up on secularism and the Constituent Assembly rejected it, observing that Bharat is a dharma-centric country and there has been no conflict, similar to what was witnessed in Europe, the Governor said. Citing Constituent Assembly discussions, he added that it was deliberated there that Bharat is a country of dharma and, “how can there be a conflict with dharma? How can Bharat be away from dharma? It cannot be! Hence, they said secularism was a European concept and let it be there. In India, there was no need for secularism, they said and hence, it was not included in the Constitution.”

Decades later, during the Emergency (1975-77), “one insecure Prime Minister” introduced secularism in the Constitution in order to appease some sections of people, the Governor alleged. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister during Emergency.

CPI leader D Raja on Monday condemned Ravi’s remarks, questioning his understanding of the concept and India’s Constitutional values. Raja said Dr BR Ambedkar had expressed that the nation would face a calamity if a Hindu Rashtra were to become a reality.

“What does he know about India? He is a governor...he must abide by the Constitution,” Raja said. Congress MP Manickam Tagore said Ravi’s remarks were “unacceptable” and against the Constitution. “The statement is against against the Idea of India by Mahatma Gandhi, Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel,” he said. (With agency inputs)