Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Secularism distorted

Sir, — Refer to Imtiaz Ahmad's "Secularism, Hindus and Muslims" (May 24). The founder and propounder of secularism to wit, G.J. Holyoake, was of the belief that the State, morals, education, etc., should be independent of religion. This system of social ethics does not imply denial of religion or denigration of any particular faith; nor does it stand for atheism. It connotes neutrality of the State with regard to religion. Unfortunately in India, only a crass and crooked version of secularism has been foisted on the people. As a result, it is a mere vote-fishing device or a stalking horse.

P.R. Krishna Narayanan,

Lakshadweep

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News: Front Page | National | Southern States | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Entertainment | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary |

Stories in this Section

• Skirting the main issue
• Death by fahrenheit
• The road to ruin
• A truly unipolar moment
• DMK remarks fail to cheer CPI
• Will they pull back from the brink?
• Tamil Nadu's bold legislative move
• Not just Pak.'s making
• Crush militancy
• Colonial legacy
• Disturbing messages
• Shed hatred
• Secularism distorted
• Emulate Bangladesh
• Toxicity not a myth
• Help ecosystem

Copyright © 2002, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu