Modi's graveyard remark: Outrage over

 PM's comment points to sorry subversion of 'secularism' in India The founding fathers of Indian Constitution, while seeking to build a modern nation-state, did not include the word "secular" in the Preamble. It was later enacted through the 42nd amendment in 1976. The sagacious heads who drew up the framework of modern India were not fools. They were well aware that the concept of western secularism, which was rooted in the movement for personal freedom against largely Christian theocratic states, would be ill-suited for the multi-cultural ethos of the Indian melting pot. Whereas in the west the notion of "secularism" indicates the separation of state and religion, in India the term eventually sought to accord 'equality' to all religions — equal respect, freedom and importance. The importance of this cannot be overstated. The 42nd amendment makes it clear that Indian state won't play the game of favouritism. There would be no special status for any religion. Or at least that was the plan. In 40 years since that amendment was enacted, secularism has now become a much-abused term — a notion violated so much in spirit and letter that it has come to mean the opposite of what it was intended for. It is now a code word.

 A dog whistle for rampant favouritism and pitting one religion against other. In this mutated form, "secularism" is now a cancer on the Indian state. The honour of this mutation, once again, must go to the Congress which subverted "secularism" into "minority-ism". That does not mean that it worked hard to improve the condition of the religious minorities in India. That would have been a laudable step. For all its "secular" credentials, the Congress which enjoyed lion's share of power as the 'national party, was oblivious to the cause of Muslims beyond the ballot."Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Fatehpur on Sunday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Fatehpur on Sunday. Modi made the graveyard remark during the rally. PTI Muslims remained laggards in nearly every metric. According to the Amitabh Kundu committee Muslims of India have remained behind not just in respect to the majority community but also to other smaller religious minorities.

 If there is electricity during Holi, there should be electricity during Eid too. There should not be any discrimination…" Far from being a divisive remark, Modi's comments stick close to concept of secularism as it was envisaged in the Preamble. He went on to add: " Discrimination is the root of injustice… Dalits say they are not getting their rights, OBCs are getting everything. OBCs say the government only gives the Yadavs. Yadavs say only those associated with the ‘family’ are getting their rights, and the rest goes to Muslims… This discrimination cannot continue… Regardless of who gave birth to you… Everyone should get their rights, that is sabka saath The Prime Minister should be lauded for raising the bar of electoral debate. While Mayawati is trying to leverage a Dalit-Muslim combination to power, the ruling Samajwadi Party has joined hands with the Congress to prevent the fracturing of Muslim votes. Muslims, not for the first time, have been reduced to their votes. In this cauldron, the prime minister's statement is a welcome departure.

 It is understandable, though, why the Congress has threatened to move the Election Commission and why Leftist parties including the neo-Left, Aam Aadmi Party, are seeing red. If fault lines no longer exist, these outfits will then be held accountable for the work that they do, not the fear that they monger or the rotten apple that they dangle. As for the media, it should introspect why there is no controversy when the leader of a rival political party calls the prime minister a 'terrorist'. Getting to the answer honestly should lessen the disconnect it suffers at the moment from people

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