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Rediscover tradition of tolerance: Advani

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD May 29. The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, lamented that "secularism'' in India was a "perversion'' and called for a change in attitude which could only take place through the rediscovery of Hinduism's old tradition of tolerance which was a part of India's legacy. This tradition of tolerance was "true secularism'', he maintained and said that it allowed for dissenting ideas and politics to exist.

Mr. Advani made these comments after releasing a book titled "India! Speak Up'' authored by T.H. Chowdary, Chairman, Pragna Bharati, at a function on the sidelines of the BJP State presidents and secretaries meeting here on Thursday.

Showering praise on Dr. Chowdary for his "missionary'' sense of purpose and his ability to speak out "boldly and clearly'' on complex and controversial issues, Mr. Advani said that problems facing India could only be solved by facing up to them and not by effacing the basic culture of the country. He gave examples from his public life to illustrate how "secularism'' had come to mean rejecting Indian culture.

Earlier, welcoming Mr. Advani, Dr. Chowdary listed the main issues which were dealt with in his book. In a rousing speech which was received with resounding applause, he said that population growth was the main cause for India's lack of development and said that it was necessary to identify and understand the causes for this "demographic disaster''. He claimed that the 12th century India, which extended from present day Afghanistan to Bangladesh, had only 6 per cent Muslim population whereas this region today had 35 per cent Muslims. A journal titled "`Secularism' Combat'' was launched on the occasion by the BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu. M.V. Rao, former vice-chancellor of ANGRAU, also spoke.

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