I think, our all thinking is becoming streotype about different discourse like 'secularism'. We should think of new terminology. I propose 'humanism' instead of 'secularism'. We should put our concentration on how we can do better for greater welfare of global humanity. It's most important. If we can ensure 'humanism', 'secularism will be obvious in social and political setting.
Dear Searching knowledge is my passion and profession. I strongly beleive that one can learn more through human conduct rather than going through bulks of texts.
Do you agree? If you disagree, please let me know why?
RE:Secular? NOOOOOOOO
by Ketan Dand on Jun 02, 2005 02:52 PM
Samir basically means that in countries where Muslims are not allowed to have their own personal laws, they will create violence, terrorism and organisations like the Al-Qaeda will become popular. This is nothing but blackmail. By the way, when he says fissiparous tendencies in Kashmir are "contained" does he mean that these have been contained by banishing all Hindus from the Valley?
Let me conlude by affirming that India is better off with personal laws than without it. Their benefits outweigh their disadvantages. Let us be reasonable and ask ourselves that were these laws be repealed would there be more national intergration? No. that would not be so. India would have merely taken up the French way of Secularism and nothing else. It is this kind of aggressive secularism which gives rise to militant Islam. A testimony borne out of Russia, China, Turkey and Algeria etc. Secularism has different shades and perhaps Ms. Kanchan refers to one strand which is very much the French way of being secular. But if India allows various personal laws within its borders it will in no way mean that India is any less secular. In fact the response of the minorities in both France and India will prove India's model to be superior. Is this not Sarva Dharma Sambhava. In a way these personal laws are a very Indian solution to the intractable problem confronting the issue of religious harmony. These laws confidently project India's timeless motto--LIVE AND LET LIVE-This is why Saare Jaahaan Se Acchha Hindustaan Hamaara..Hum Bulbulein Hain Iski Yeh Gulsitan Hamaara.Proud tobe Indian
--Cont'd--The Hindu Right can be assured that Muslims do not seek to subvert the Indian state nor Hindu rule thru their laws. They only want to lead their lives as laid down in their religion.If this is the wish of 200 million Indians , then it should be respected by the majority.
Agreed that that issues of divorced women sometimes are the reason given for the doing away of these laws. But that can be dealt with by strengthning the Waqf Boards. These boards and their counterparts in other religious communities can be brought under State Control and then used for the redressal of women issues along with the Shariat Courts which are meant for expediting cases of domestic strife. This will not help in two ways. Firstly they will reduce the burden on our judiciary and provide speedy conclusions and secondly provide a sense of security to the women thru the Waqf and similar institutions by supporting them in their fight. The role of Waqf boards can be expanded and so should their rvenue net. If Muslims want personal laws then they must also pay for their upkeep. This is only fair. Mosques must collect funds to try utilize them for such purposes. Similarly other groups can dealt.
--Continued-Let us see where personal laws come in all this-Personal laws allow communities to live in consonance with their religious/cultural beliefs. This provides them a sense of security and an important stake in the State which allows their cultural aspirations to be met. Take the example of Iraq now which is burning with the Shia/Sunni tussle amid an occupation. Would'nt it be better if the Shias and Sunnis could govern themselves by their personal laws instead of trying to impose upon each other. The anxieties of Sunnis would be greatly relieved were this solution to be followed.
As far as uniform laws in India are concerned, it is naive to thiink that they will bring unity and cohesion. Instead they will do to the Muslim psyche what the reimposition of jiziya tax by Aurangzeb had done to the Hindus. Such will be the effect. The Hindu Right should reflect as why it wants to stir the largest or second largest Muslim population in the world by trying to prove that its cultural ideals should be accepted by all. This is one of the reasons why the RSS supports UCC. The RSS should understand that Personal laws in noway seek to challenge the Secular/hindu rule of India.Contd
RE:Personal Laws - A Global 21st Century Solution II
by srinivas on Jun 08, 2005 02:32 AM
some thing has taken away all our senses. that is religion. by birth it is decided and it can't be taken. what is religion? that is the basic question every one is forgotten. being a hindu/muslim must not come in the way of good living, good relations. every country has already shed lots of blood in the name of religion. religion has given nothing to humanity. but religiousness has given every thing. basically i never considered myself has hindu. but i am forced to continue follow hindu code of law only because i am born as hindu. is it not intolerance if government and constitution? things have changed lot. even hindu's belong to certail category allowed to follow polygamy. only because of different civil codes. in modern world we have to come out of our past foolishness. let's follow good things in every religion. hindu' has to change, muslims, sikhs and every religion has to change. muslims have a good marriage registration which hindus has to adopt. why to shy for this?
RE:Personal Laws - A Global 21st Century Solution II
by Dinkar on Jun 02, 2005 04:13 PM
My Dear Samir, First of all let me Clapp on yr speech. My Dear Friend can u tell me a single reason for division of India in 1947. Second can u tell me Between whom this division was. Third can u tell me isn't kashmir a problem due to a religion. Whenever Religion becomes upper tha nation there will b division 7 I bet within 25 yrs from today thr will b division again and again between Muslims & Seculars as it was is 1947. and me as a Hindu at that time too will b clapping at your Speech. at that time again u will have the choice either to live in this secular India or u can migrate to new Muslim Country but as I will b standing thr only with no choice In SECULAR INDIA.
When our founding leaders allowed the implementation of various personal laws they showed immense wisdom. These much derided laws have provided India a much needed social stability which even the nations of West with their burgeoning Muslim minorities do not have. We can ask ourselves as to why has India absorbed the fissiparous tendencies in various parts of India including Muslim majority Kasmir. Something which more hardline states like Israel, Russia and China have trouble eradicating. The reason is Muslims in India feel more secure to live as Muslims, riots notwitstanding. for one thing is certain the world will continue to have clashes so long nations insist Muslims to give up their sacrosanct laws. And nations which have a soft approach towards Muslim cultural sensibilities will succeed whereas those that seek to crush it will only exacerbate tensions. A proof of this can be inferred from the indifference of Indian Muslims to Al Qaeda and its ideology. None can argue that India has escaped relatively unscathed from it while other nations; which were more aggressive in their dealings with the Muslim affairs have had to pay a terrible price in a protracted struggle. To Contin
First people should know the actual meaning of SECULARISM from the dictionary. Not following the institution and follow religion in one's ownway. Dharma or Duty is required to hold the society as common people follow these social fabrics. Secularism or agnism is for highly educated and learned-wise people regards PANDA
