Introduction
India's founding promise of secularism was meant to ensure equal treatment for all religions. However, over the decades, a number of constitutional provisions and legislative acts have drawn criticism for treating the Hindu majority differently—sometimes disadvantageously—compared to religious minorities. This article explores how a series of laws and political decisions, primarily under Congress leadership, are perceived to have compromised Hindu rights in independent India.
Constitutional Provisions (1950): The Seeds of Discontent
Article 25 – Freedom of Religion
While Article 25 promises religious freedom to all, it allows the state to intervene in the management of Hindu religious institutions. This clause has been used to justify state control of temples, while churches and mosques remain independent.
Article 28 – Religious Instruction
Prohibits religious teaching in government-funded schools. Minority institutions are exempt, allowing them to promote their religious values, but Hindu-majority schools funded by the state cannot.
Article 30 – Minority Rights in Education
Grants minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions. The Hindu majority is not extended similar rights, leading to a perception of unequal treatment.
The HRCE Act (1951): Government in the Garb of Priesthood
The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act allows state governments to take over the administration of Hindu temples and their finances. Critics argue this violates religious autonomy and leads to misuse or diversion of temple funds for secular or non-Hindu causes. No similar law exists for Muslim or Christian institutions.
Haj Committee Act (1956) & Minority Support Structures
The Haj Committee Act provided state support for Muslim pilgrimage, and the creation of Wakf Boards granted extensive powers to manage Muslim endowments. This direct government involvement in religious activities raises questions about India's secular credentials.
Secularism in the Constitution (1975)
The 42nd Amendment during the Emergency added the word "secular" to the Constitution's preamble. However, many argue this period marked a shift where secularism began to mean appeasement of minorities at the cost of majority rights.
The Minority Rights Act (1992)
Further institutionalized special provisions for religious minorities in education and employment. Again, Hindus as a majority group are excluded from such targeted benefits.
The Prisoners of War Issue (1991)
While not religious on the surface, critics say India's lenient stance toward Pakistani POWs after the 1971 war failed to deliver justice to Hindu families who suffered in the conflict, reflecting a broader trend of moral posturing over national interest.
The Waqf Act (1995): A Parallel System
This Act established Waqf Boards with vast authority over Muslim religious properties. With control over massive land assets and no equivalent for Hindu trusts, the imbalance becomes evident.
Ram Setu Affidavit (2007)
The UPA government filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that the Ram Setu bridge had no historical or religious significance. Public backlash forced a retraction, but it showcased the administration's readiness to dismiss Hindu beliefs.
The Saffron Flower Controversy (2009)
Textbook revisions under UPA rule reportedly removed references to saffron flowers, symbols closely tied to Hindu culture. This was seen as part of a broader effort to dilute Hindu identity in public education.
Conclusion: A Secularism that Sidelines?
While the Indian Constitution guarantees equality, the implementation of certain laws and policies over the decades suggests a tilt that often places Hindus at a disadvantage. The intent may have been to uplift minorities, but critics argue it has led to a form of selective secularism, where neutrality is compromised and the majority feels alienated.
The path forward requires a sincere re-evaluation of what secularism truly means in a pluralistic society like India—one that includes all, but excludes none.
Wake up.... Hindus of Bharat....
Don't behave like a herd of blind sheep...
Use your acumen properly...
I am not sure can a community survive with so much political naivety?
Enough is enough...
Reclaiming whoweare...
