|
|
|
DERECOGNISE COMMUNAL PARTIES
|
 Most of the Muslim countries have a religious Constitution, in which religion and politics are intertwined.
Most of the Muslim countries
have a religious
Constitution, in which religion
and politics are intertwined.
However, it is not so for all.
For example, Turkey under
Kamal Pasha kept religion out
of politics; so much so, the
State banned purdah for
women and Muslim-specific
dress for men. Other Muslim countries, though calling
themselves Islamic States, have different types of administration
and law, varying from modern to fundamentalist.
When East Bengal was liberated from the military-mullah
regime of Pakistan, in 1971, the newly-emerged State of
Bangladesh, under Mujibur Rehman, opted for a secular
Constitution. But after his assassination, the military took
over with the help of religious fundamentalists, following a
coup in 1975, and the Fifth Amendment changed the
Constitution into an Islamic one.
Recently, under the prime-ministership of Mujib’s
daughter, Sheikh Hasina, the Amendment was nullified
by the Bangladesh Supreme Court, to make the State secular.
The Bench, headed by Justice Huq, restored the
unique feature of the original Constitution – secularism
and freedom of religion. The judge said, “Secularism
means both religious tolerance and religious freedom. The
State must not be seen favouring any particular religion;
rather, ensure protection to the followers of all faiths.”
The Bangla Supreme Court’s order should be a guide
even to India, that has always been a secular country, with
a Constitution directing the Government to enact a uniform
civil code to all the people, irrespective of religion,
and foster a scientific temper among the masses. In fact,
the Indian Government has been always submitting to
the coercion of religious leaders, to dilute the civil code
and helping to promote religious obscurantism in the
name of religious freedom.
As for keeping religion out of politics, several parties
violate the principle and even tag religion to the name of
their parties, to woo voters of a particular community.
The Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League thrive on
divisive politics, by misusing the name of religion. And
there are several political parties that claim to protect people
of a particular religion even when they claim to be secular.
It was time the Election Commission, with the backing
of the Indian Supreme Court, derecognised political
parties indulging in communal and divisive politics.
|
TO READ THE COMPLETE ARTICLE SUBSCRIBE ALIVE
|
|
|
|
