Indian Raksa is a blog run by a secular atheist in his 20s under the pen name Chhatrapati Shivaji* commenting on the deplorable state of secularism in “secular” India. He also rants (not literally) about anything India and the rest of the world.
Conventionally, Secularism is generally understood as an assertion that governmental practices or institutions should exist separately from religion or religious belief. Wikipedia, defines a secular state as follows:
A secular state is a state or country that is officially neutral in matters of religion, neither supporting nor opposing any particular religious beliefs or practices. A secular state also treats all its citizens equally regardless of religion, and does not give preferential treatment for a citizen from a particular religion over other religions.
But in India, certain politicians & so called “secularists” have redefined the meaning of secularism. Unfortunately, time and again they have managed to be in power long enough to subvert the constitution according to their whims. According to them, secularism, is not treating people equally irrespective of their religion but preferential treatment of the minorities at the expense of the majority, and the entire nation by endowing them with special privileges, reservations etc. These politicians, in order to further their cheap vote bank politics have put the unity of the nation on the altar.
* Chhatrapati Shivaji though a Hindu, embraced secularism by allowing freedom of religion in his domain. Most of his confidants and commanders where muslims, including one-third of his army. He epitomized secularism in letter admonishing muslim ruler Aurangzeb:
“Verily, Islam and Hinduism are terms of contrast. They are used by the true Divine Painter for blending the colours and filling in the outlines. If it is a mosque, the call to prayer is chanted in remembrance of him. If it is a temple, the bells are rung in yearning for him alone.”
Why have you given link for Two Circles – it is run by very very extreme muslims… did you not read their posts…???
Ramesh Naidoo
I have read their posts, though I must confess only recently I have started reading them. By linking to a blog, it doesn’t mean I concur or endorse every thing that is expressed on those blogs. Whatever is written on those blogs are a entirely their own views for which I owe no responsibility.
I have linked to them not because I concur with their views but to give visitors a different point of view from mine. Logic demands people get to hear both sides of the argument before they come to a conclusion that can’t be termed biased. I believe in freedom of expression and they have their right to express what they feel. They may be “very very extreme muslims” as you term, but unfortunately I am yet to see it. May be because I haven’t read enough of them. In any case, unless anyone incites violence I don’t find a need to remove them from the blog roll. May be, in the future if I find your appraisal of them to be true, I would consider doing so.
Thanks.
Please read the analysis ‘Amarnath vs Haj’ at
http://rameshnaidoo.blogspot.com/2008/07/amarnath-vs-haj.html
Best
Ramesh Naidoo
Ramesh Naidoo
Thanks for the link… it was a good read. Though, I am an atheist, I am all for people practicing their religion. It is such a pity that Hindus don’t even get a few acres of land to facilitate their accommodation.