Secularism defamed

 (July 30, 2013, Facebook status)

We grew up learning that secularism is a virtue when it comes to governance. The idea that personal faith shouldn't dictate government functioning and policy to me, even today, sounds like a very sane principle to follow. Religion and governance should never mix in an ideal world. After moving to this part of the world I was shocked to learn that "secular" can be construed as a bad thing. I am speaking of the conservative political forces in the West to whom "secular" and "liberal" are terrible, dangerous words. Now I hear that back home BJP's Rajnath Singh has launched a broadside on what he reportedly calls "secularitis". The BJP's religious leanings are no secret. But when its leader openly launches an attack on one of the ideals enshrined in the preamble of the Indian Constitution, it doesn't bode well for the country.