BJPâs nationalism and pseudo-secularism
It is deplorable that in India, Hindu civilization is being crushed by the bulldozer of pseudo-secularism. And since 2014, the said vehicle of pseudo-secularism
It is deplorable that in India, Hindu civilization is being crushed by the bulldozer of pseudo-secularism. And since 2014, the said vehicle of pseudo-secularism is being driven by BJP, the much-admired nationalist outfit.
Whether given by a friend or a foe, pseudo-secularism is a poison that kills its victim.
Real âsecularismâ implies separation of State and religion; âequality before lawâ; one nation and one law; same rights and same laws for every citizen irrespective of his religion; and no division of the nation into majority and minority.
But in India, anything which is discriminatory and pro-minority is promoted as âsecularismâ.
Disgusted with Congress-led UPA governmentâs pseudo-secular laws and minority-appeasing policies during 2004 to 2014, and impressed by BJPâs promises of âjustice to all and appeasement of noneâ and âUniform Civil Codeâ, countless nationalists toiled day and night to bring BJP in power.
But after getting power in 2014, BJP has become Gandhian, and it has forgotten âjustice to all and appeasement of noneâ and âUniform Civil Codeâ.
Of course, BJP deserves credit for repealing Article 370 and for passing âThe Citizenship (Amendment) Actâ in 2019.
But surprisingly, ever since getting power in 2014, BJP government has continued the Congress-led government's discriminatory and pseudo-secular laws and has vastly expanded minority-appeasing policies which have crippled Hindus and are destroying Hindu civilization, one of the oldest surviving civilizations of the world.
This discrimination invites vulnerable sections of Hindu society to convert to a minority religion if they want to get benefits given to minorities.
Besides, this discrimination is fragmenting Hindu society since to escape discrimination, some Hindu sects proclaim that they are not Hindu. While earlier, Ramakrishna Mission had claimed itself to be a minority, now many Lingayats in Karnataka want minority status.
This article gives examples of BJPâs pseudo-secularism. It also gives easy solution for ending discriminatory laws and policies.
Some examples of BJPâs pseudo-secular actions, and inactions, are as follows:
Nationâs division on religious basis
Though Indian Constitution does not define the terms âmajorityâ and âminorityâ, Congress governmentâs âNational Commission for Minorities Act, 1992â divided the nation into âmajorityâ and âminorityâ on religious basis. As per this Act, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians were notified as minorities in October 1993, and Jains in January 2014.
BJP has maintained the status-quo of Leftist-liberal and pseudo-secular division of the nation into majority and minority; and has not repealed the âNational Commission for Minorities Act, 1992â.
2. Incentives for minorities
As the opposition party, BJP had termed the Congress-led governmentâs creation of Sachar Committee and Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2006 as communal, divisive and âappeasementâ of minorities.
But the ruling BJP has continued this Ministry; and has vastly expanded minority-appeasement policies by launching many new schemes such as âNai Manzilâ, âNai Udaanâ, âNaya Saveraâ, âShaadi Shagunâ, âPadho Pardeshâ etc. for minorities.
Under these schemes, government is spending thousands of crores of rupees every year over financial and educational incentives, scholarships, free-ships, free special coaching etc. to minorities.
Besides, renaming Congress-led governmentâs Multi-sectoral Development Plan for Minorities as Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram, BJP Government has expanded it to 308 districts.
3. Five-crore scholarships
Immediately after winning the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, BJP government declared five crore scholarships for minorities on June 5, 2019.
Congress-led government passed âRight of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009â which provides for governmentâs stringent control only over Hindu-run schools since minority-run schools are exempted from this Act.
Moreover, this Act requires these schools to provide free education (with negligible compensation from government) to at least 25 per cent students from weaker sections.
This Act has made the cost of Hindu-run schools prohibitive closing thousands of Hindu-run schools.
BJP government has neither repealed nor amended this Act for giving uniform treatment to all schools, whether run by majority or by minority community.
5. Endless wait for âUniform Civil Codeâ
Just one policy which can finish many discriminatory laws and policies is the Uniform Civil Code.
Though B.J.P.âs Election Manifestoes of 2009, 2014 and 2019 had promised to implement Uniform Civil Code; though Supreme Court has repeatedly suggested its enactment in many of its judgements; though Article 44 of Indian Constitution stipulates that, âThe State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of Indiaâ; it has not been implemented so far.
6. National Education Policy, 2020
BJP governmentâs National Education Policy, 2020 expands minority appeasement in the field of education.
Chapter 6 of this Policy has created a special category named as Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (S.E.D.G.s). Though earlier education policy was having special provisions for SC, ST, OBCs, and females, National Education Policy, 2020 adds minorities also in âS.E.D.G.sâ for special treatment.
Like for school education, Chapter 14 dealing with higher education also contains many special privileges for college education which S.E.D.G.s including minorities have been given. These include, inter alia, special funds and scholarships, creation of separate colleges and universities, relaxation of norms for admissions etc.
7. Control over Hindu Temples
Prominent Hindu temples all over India, and having assets worth thousands of crores of rupees, are under governmentâs control. But minority places of worship enjoy freedom from government control.
Governmentâs control of Hindu temples is depriving Hindus of self-supporting infrastructure of their places of worship.
Government has taken no action to liberate Hindu temples from government control to treat Hindus at par with other communities in religious matters.
8. Cultural and Educational Rights
Government has done nothing to amend Articles 29 and 30 to extend the cultural and educational rights (stipulated therein for minorities) to every community, whether majority or minority.
9. Fate of âEqual Rights Billâ
In 2016, Dr. Satya Pal Singh, BJP member of Lok Sabha introduced Bill Number 226 seeking amendment of Articles 15, and Articles 25 to 30 to extend religious, educational and cultural rights stipulated therein, to every community, whether majority or minority. This Bill wanted to treat Hindus at par with other communities.
Surprisingly, despite its majority in Lok Sabha, BJP government did not pass this Bill. The Bill lapsed and discrimination continues.
As per Barbara Tuchman, American historian and author of âThe March of Follyâ, âthe disasters of history are the result of the governmentâs folly and perverse persistence in pursuing the policies contrary to national interests.â
Leftist-liberal and âspurious-secularâ laws and policies implemented by successive Indian governments have brought the disaster of nationâs division into majority and minority.
With BJP government continuing discriminatory laws and policies, many of BJPâs admirers and well-wishers feel dismayed, and want BJP to stop this discrimination forthwith.
It is a critical situation for Hindu civilization since main opposition parties being pseudo-secular, there is no party to oppose this discrimination.
Thus, victims of discrimination have become political orphans.
Considering the hapless situation, nationalists must ensure that BJP remains loyal to its declared nationalist agenda, and it does not take them for granted because of lack of an alternative nationalist political party.
For successful functioning of any democracy, there should be at least two nationalist political parties. Accordingly, nationalists must start building a new nationalist political party to give public a better alternative to choose.
The proposed new political outfit would liberate the country from slavery of âfake-secularismâ; and ensure same rights and same laws for every Indian citizen irrespective of his religion.
However, till such a party materialises, nationalists must launch a peaceful movement to request the government to do as follows at the earliest:
i. Abolish the Ministry of Minority Affairs; and help all deserving Indian citizens irrespective of their religion.
This can be done immediately just by an executive order / notification without any legislation.
ii. Implement Uniform Civil Code as promised in BJPâs Election Manifestoes of 2009, 2014 and 2019.
BJP government should have taken these actions in 2014 itself. It must do so now as fulfilment of its declared agenda; and as appreciation for its selfless and loyal supporters who gave BJP its glorious victories in 2014 and 2019.
Both the above-mentioned actions are easily do-able and would treat Hindus at par with other communities.
These actions would save Hindu civilization and would transform India into a fair, equitable, really secular, harmonious and united nation.
Nationalistsâ effort to achieve this goal will certainly succeed as Atharva Veda proclaims, âKritam may dakhshine haste, jayo may savya aahitahâ (effort is in my right hand, and victory in my left).
Read Latest News On PGurus