The veil of Secularism

Secularism is defined as the indifference of the state to religion. Indian philosophy of secularism preaches equal respect to all religions and it reflects the dominant ethos of Indian culture. It is a means to address religious plurality in India. The spirit of secularism was strengthened and enriched through the Indian freedom movement too buttressed by famous personalities like Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi. Well, it may sound contrasting to the previous statement but the truth is “We are no more secular, nor are we concerned with such ethos and the very constitution of India.” It's the veil of secularism we are wearing in the name of pseudo nationalism.

Back at the beginning of April 2020, Tablighi Jamaat was all over the news in India. A subject of endless primetime coverage, opinion pieces, and social chatter. A religious congregation that took place in New Delhi was in the spotlight, having been solely held accountable for the coronavirus outbreak in India. A convict of so-called “the crime against humanity”. A new term came into being “Corona Jihad” and in no time jamaat members were declared jihadis. The media coverage was saturated with hateful slurs like Pakistan conspiracy, Markaz terrorism, shaitan, corona criminals, and whatnot. An attempt was made to disrupt communal harmony and propagate Islamophobia.

It is April 2021 now, coronavirus is reaching new peaks every passing day. Tablighi Jamaat is no longer here but here we have another such super spreader event whom no one is talking about. Millions of people have gathered by the banks of the Ganga in Haridwar for the Maha Kumbh Mela, one of the largest religious gatherings in the world.

What's fascinating here is, despite a sudden spike in daily caseloads in recent weeks, Uttarakhand's CM said there should be no “rok-tok ” and the mela should be “open for all”. “Nobody will be stopped in the name of Covid-19 as we are sure the faith in God will overcome the fear of the virus,”. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that COVID-19 norms are not being followed in Haridwar, and it is a foolish attempt to expect Mela with social distancing with the sadhus having their masks on. Maha Kumbh can turn into a super spreader given the number of attendees and lack of COVID-19 norms and regulations. However, neither any debate is happening, nor the government authorities are concerned. After all, it is a HINDU affair.

Vilification of Tablighi Jamaat over the outbreak and encouragement of Maha Kumbh is undeniably sheer bigotry. The mingling of religion and Politics to mobilize vote banks is all that's happening around. Communal politics have taken over and operates by spreading myths and stereotypes against minorities, through an attack on rational values, and by practicing divisive ideological propaganda and politics. The question here remains “If India is secular, then how are we Hindus and Muslims, before we are Indians ?’

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