In Pursuit of Secularism: Religious and Political Complexity in Selected Works of Shashi Tharoor

Abstract

The term secularism means separate from religion or having no religious basis. It indicates to what the dissociation of religion from political economic social and cultural aspects of life. It advocates the equal opportunities for the follower of all religion. Sanatan Dharma (Hinduism) believes in the holistic and comprehensive religious belief and trying to integrate them. The term related to the Vedic concept of Dharmnirpeksh (the indifference of state to religion) and the Vedic philosophy Sarv Dharm Sambhava (the destination of all part follower of all religion is same). In Indian constitution the word ‘secular’ is added by making forty-second amendment act in 1976 with a belief of equality and equal protection to all community. In the other hand, it has taken the power to interfere in religion so as remove evils in it such as dowry system, child marriage, triple talaq, uniform civil code, CAA, law of overpopulation control act etc. In India there are mainly two perspectives regarding Secularism. One perspective related to the views of Mahatma Gandhi. The followers of these views accept that secularism in India can only be possible with an adoption of pluralism by every Indian citizen. The other perspective related to the views of Sangh Parivar. The followers of this view accepted that the secularism is western concept that is not suitable for the Indian context and must be replaced with cultural nationalism.