Religious symbols in secular country - A case of India

Time and again this debate comes in modern Indian intellectual circles what place religious symbols have in a secular society? Our modern society is very much fascinated and inspired the secularism in France. We are increasingly opposing the display of religious symbols in the public places. Many a time it is believed that a section of society getting more favourable treatment while others are discriminated. Fundamental problem and confusion is created by forgetting the definition of Indian secularism and taking example of French secularism.

India has a completely different socio-cultural environment to France so the comparison is quite baseless. India is a country where a large number of Hindus (a majority by population) visit dargah and mosques in hope of getting divine blessings. Religion and faith does not come into the mind of these people. At the same time at many places, particularly Kashmir, a large number of Muslims help Hindus in their pilgrimage to holy shrines in Himalayas. Followers of different religion help each other in getting divine blessings. Everyone follows his/her religion but does not bother what the religion of other person is. But the point is that everyone is (or most of the people are) religious in some sense. Religion can not be, at least in near future, removed from Indian life.

When I grew up in a Muslim dominated town, I had seen Muslim women always wearing burqua but it never bothered me. If they came to our shop to buy something then we were not concern about their attire. For us, it has always been their choice. If they, by choice, want to wear burqua than what is wrong. Recently a case of a Muslim girl , Ayesha, made national headline when she was not allowed to attained college in burqua. How does it should matter to other students and the faculty if she comes in burqua. Burqua is not a Satan that will eat away everything that comes near it. It is just a piece of cloth. If someone does not like than that person has freedom not to be friend with this girl but there is no need for agigation or banning the burqua altogether.

Some people start questioning that the Hindu or the Sikhs are allowed to display their religious symbols than why not Muslims. Arguments and counter-arguments can go like that burqua (and beard) is not religious requirement but the sikh's turban is. It can go on and on. But the basic questions is why argue at the first place. France has ban all the religious symbols from all public places. People sitting in India gets excited and start demanding similar structure. But they forget that France is a pseudo-secular country that is suppressing its minorities in the name of secularism. If one look closely than one finds that a lot of christian symbols are allowed in France but nothing for other religions. For example, why there is Christmas and Easter holiday if it is secular country? Or then why not Id is national holiday in France? One can carry engagement or wedding ring everywhere in France. Is this ring system not very christian? May be at one time when Muslim population in France was really low, it did not matter much but now it is not fair. No one questions when a Jew rabbi roam around the street of Paris in sporting Jews cap or a catholic nun wear almost-burqua like dress but Muslim burqua is not welcome.

In India, religion has not been eradicated like China nor been tried to uniformalised as in France (though it is bias towards Christianity). Religion is part of life. Expecting that the symbols can be removed and a uniform society can be created in India is hugely hypothetical. India need to learn to bear and tolerate the difference. In fact, it has been part of Indian culture and society for so long. Why some of the intellectuals are trying to create a resistance between the different faiths by thinking homogeneous society. Some of the intellectuals suggest that religion is a bane in Indian progress but they forget that upto 3 centuries ago India commanded almost 25% of international trade and it was religious society even then. We need to learn from our own history rather than copying a model from others (France) that will not work in India.

If Ayesha want to bear burqua than let her bear. Do not need to show hatred but need to show genereousity.