Secularism is Under threat?

Well i wrote this one when i was in class 10th for a debate competition and got 2nd prize also :P.

Secularism is Under threat?

The preamble to the constitution of India declares to be a Sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic and secures to all its citizens Justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Article 25 to 28 is a group of provisions ensuring equality of religion. By the statement that India is a secular state, we eventually undertake that all the religions are treated equally in our nation. Secularism provides freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.

India is a land of many religions. There is no harm in having so many religions. But to think of the interest of one's religious community first and the nation afterwards will definitely shatter the country's unity and integrity.

History provides evidence that whenever anybody has tried to provoke religious sentiments of one's community against the other, there had been direct clash between them, resulting in death of thousands of innocent people. Although we say that our country is a secular state, still incidence had been there which puts a question mark on India's secularism. In 1947, we all know the emergence of Pakistan and India as two separate countries were accompanied by Hindu- Muslim riots killing people of both the communities.

In 1984, again as an aftermath of Mrs. Indira Gandhi's assassination, thousands of Sikhs were brutally killed. Further who can forget the Babri Masjid demolition on 6th Dec. 1992, which brought about such grave provocation of religious sentiments that there were dead bodies everywhere.

It was always advisable to forget the past, but although we don't go into history, the occurrence of the Godhra kand in the beginning of the year 2003 is a shame for every citizen of modern India.All such incidence which i have just talked about are the result of malicious ambitions of politicians who deliberately make religion an issue in politics.

The Britishers had ruled India applying 'Divide and Rule' policy for about 200 years. Now a days our politicians are almost doing the same. In order to win the elections, sometimes Ram Temple at  ayodhya is made the issue or sometimes the Kashmir is brought into the picture. in our country politicians are playing games by provoking religious sentiments, than why can't our neighboring countries do the same. Threat to our secularism is both from inside and outside India.

It is an universal truth that a single stick breaks easily as compared to a pile of sticks. A lesson should be learned from previous  incidents of communal riots, before it is too late. It is our duty to give our children a safe, united and peaceful country to live.

Thank you.