Please look at things objectively. India is one of the few countries in the world which is truly secular. There is no state sponsored religion or has the religion of the majority driving the country.
Some examples.
- UK Queen is the head of the Anglican church. US and Australian state overtly publicises its Christian faith. Look at all three American presidents came for pastor Graham's dedication.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
and BJP is what?
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
No state is secular in its true definition. A secular state would not have religious holidays for government employees. It would not allow religious components to be displayed in their offices or better yet no party with any religious affiliation would be part of government. The term separation of church and state does not apply subjectively. The day the Indian government makes people work on Eid or Diwali, that is the day it can be called a secular state.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
No state is secular in its true definition. A secular state would not have religious holidays for government employees. It would not allow religious components to be displayed in their offices or better yet no party with any religious affiliation would be part of government. The term separation of church and state does not apply subjectively. The day the Indian government makes people work on Eid or Diwali, that is the day it can be called a secular state.
sir
if you don't follow any religion or don't give holidays to any religious festivals it will become communist :) and not secular, secular is to follow all religions
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Really? Last time I looked at the dictionary Secular meant - http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Secular
It openly states not pertaining to any religion. If you are atheist you are secular. If you believe in any faith or your government allows faith in their institutions it is no longer secular.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
and BJP is what?
Bhartiya Janta Party is a political party that was in power before the congress. It did not bring forth any rules that trample any rights of any religion. There was Gujrat riots during that time, which even though is more state related, BJP lost in the next elections partially because the majority of people in India believe secularism.
BJP never says that Hindus should have a paticular right and other religion cannot have that right. They know very well that the day they say that they won't be even the main opposition party. What they say is that since we are a secular country we should have same laws and same rules for people of all religion. We cannot be partial to any religion just to get votes.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
sir if you don't follow any religion or don't give holidays to any religious festivals it will become communist :) and not secular, secular is to follow all religions
Thats wrong. Secular means "not pertaining to or connected to any religion". So a secular government means that the government should give equal freedom to all religion and should not be biased in any way to one. The government should not make its decisions based on religious thinking. People should be allowed to follw any religion - as they with.
In that effect I think the political parties are not secular, because they make agenda to attract voters of certain religion. BJP uses Hindu sentiments and the congress uses Muslim sentiments.
I am proud to say that majority of Indians are secular - 'cause if they weren't then BJP would win almost all seats and would always be in majority.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Look at the number of minorities ruling India
PM- Sikh , Manmohan Singh
President - Muslim , APJ Kalaam
Congress President - Roman Catholic, Sonia Gandhi
AP Chief Minister - YSR Reddy, Christian
Nagaland CM- Christian
Mizoram CM - Christian
Meghalaya CM - Christian
Kerala Chief Minister - Christian, Antony
Indian Army Chief - JJ Singh, Sikh
and the list goes on. Others may add.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Turkey and france seem to be the most secular in my estimation... Turkey is aggresively secular, while france believes in a nationalist identity at the expense of ALL things religous.
India comes close, but unlike in Turkey, govt members, particularly those in the BJP, have gotten away with religous inspired aggitations or policies either before or during their stint in govt.
Eg. The Babri Masjid issue, which was instigated by members of the BJP, who later became govt members.
Modi who is accused of playing a hand in the Gujrat violenece with its religous overtones.
Not to long ago, Vajpayee said that Muslims would prosper if they worked towards attaining the goodwill of the Hindus.
BJP recently released some DVD...
So unlike countries such as Turkey where the country is aggresively against any signs of creeping religion, India often succumbs to religous temptations for political reasons...
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Turkey and france seem to be the most secular in my estimation... Turkey is aggresively secular, while france believes in a nationalist identity at the expense of ALL things religous. India comes close, but unlike in Turkey, govt members, particularly those in the BJP, have gotten away with religous inspired aggitations or policies either before or during their stint in govt. Eg. The Babri Masjid issue, which was instigated by members of the BJP, who later became govt members. Modi who is accused of playing a hand in the Gujrat violenece with its religous overtones. Not to long ago, Vajpayee said that Muslims would prosper if they worked towards attaining the goodwill of the Hindus. BJP recently released some DVD... So unlike countries such as Turkey where the country is aggresively against any signs of creeping religion, India often succumbs to religous temptations for political reasons...
India can never be secular untill and unless they come out with a uniform civil code for its citizen like US and UK. Indian muslims still have special rights to marry 4 wives at a time which is considered a a serious felony in US and UK or for that matter non muslim Indian.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Denada the mere fact that you are looking at the role of minorities based on religion is a testament to the fact that India is not secular nor is your way of thinking. If it was you wouldn't care what minority faiths were represented.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Please look at things objectively. India is one of the few countries in the world which is truly secular. There is no state sponsored religion or has the religion of the majority driving the country.
indian secularism has a long way to go. india will be truly secular when you dont have political parties based on religious identities - BJP, IUML, SGPC - when everyone is reasonably educated, and can respect individuality. for now, the cow belt area is a far cry from secular. especially the rural areas.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
this chauvinist indian always comes up such threads!
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
India can never be secular untill and unless they come out with a uniform civil code for its citizen like US and UK. Indian muslims still have special rights to marry 4 wives at a time which is considered a a serious felony in US and UK or for that matter non muslim Indian.
I agree... These civil laws tell us that the government is not secular.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
Denada the mere fact that you are looking at the role of minorities based on religion is a testament to the fact that India is not secular nor is your way of thinking. If it was you wouldn't care what minority faiths were represented.
This is been looked when there is a discussion. Discussions are meant to put your point and a reason to show why you think so.
When its choosing president, 80% Indians want President Kalaam to continue. At that time the Indians are not looking at his religion, but just as a person. The politicians are scared of his growing popularity.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
then dictionary is wrong 
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
India would be secular if i could eat a nice juicy cheeseburger sitting in front of the red fort in delhi without fear of being lynched.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
India would be secular if i could eat a nice juicy cheeseburger sitting in front of the red fort in delhi without fear of being lynched.
Well, If that was the criteria then India is pretty much secular..:)
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
india will be secular when i can draw a portrait of mohammad and not be thrown in jail.
Re: Isnt India more secular than US and UK?
india will be secular when i can draw a portrait of mohammad and not be thrown in jail.
India is not that secular yet, For that you will have to go to US.....:)