Being Secular

L.K. Advani asserted in media reports at the end of September that he is secular. The claim was made while he was addressing a political meeting in Assam. He referred to his schooling in a Christian school in Sindh and claimed that he has a soft corner for Christians. This claim does not seem credible. Merely studying in a Christian school does not make one secular. Advani's insistence on building a Ram temple at the site where Babri masjid stood and was destroyed in his presence dented his image not only among the Muslims but also liberal Hindus. The continuing attacks on churches in Orissa and Karnataka where BJP calls the shots has harmed India's image both at home and abroad.
Many would remember that Advani had visited Jinnah’s mazar while in Pakistan and labelled the man who split India on religious lines and founded Pakistan as a secular leader. This caused a lot of heartburn among his party men in general and the RSS top brass in particular. One suspects that Advani realizes that a national role for him requires that he should be acceptable to the different communities. An international role would demand it more stringently. He could also not be ignorant of the fact that a sizable section of liberal Hindus disapprove of the Sangh’s ideology of spewing hatred against religious minorities. So he occasionally needs to utter secular thoughts. But the prime minister designate of the BJP, he needs to do more to carry conviction than merely highlighting his Christian schooling. He must condemn violence against religious minorities unequivocally and restrain groups owing allegiance or being inspired by Sangh parivar to regain the confidence of all communities. Till it is done, Advani will only be projecting a double face. It has to be remembered that in the Indian context, secularism is an abiding respect for all faiths and commitment to let them be practised without fear or favour.