The Left may argue that religion is opium, but isn&#39;t secularity a religious identity?

The Left may argue that religion is opium, but isn't secularity a religious identity?

By Harasankar Adhikari

According to dictionary meaning, ‘secular’ means worldly, not spiritual, and not concerned with religion. Therefore, ‘Secularism’ means the theory or doctrine that supports worldly affairs and is not spiritual or concerned with religion. Further, 'religion is an aspect of the human world by which human beings can connect with the eternal world. Religion is a path for attainment of 'moksha' or salvation.' Swami Vivekananda viewed that secularism means ‘to provide equal status to all religions, and all-embracing love for every human being is again established.’ It is very relevant and appropriate.

Dr. S. Radhakrishnan opined, “When India is said to be a secular state, it does not mean that we reject the reality of an unseen spirit, the relevance of religion to life, or that we exalt irreligion. It does not mean that secularism itself becomes a positive religion or that the state assumes divine prerogatives. We hold that no one religion should be given preferential status. This view of religious impartiality, or comprehension and forbearance, has a prophetic role to play within national and international life." So, it does not indicate whether a person’s identity is religious or non-religious.

Further non-religious identity is meaningless in each and every human society in each nation throughout the globe because everyone has a religious identity, and without this, identification would be doubted in each society. Therefore, no nation is as such secular.

India has been a secular nation since 1976. Is secular a religious or racial form? Each and every person's religious identity is specified as Hindu, Muslim, Christian, or so forth.

There is no option of secular identity in an individual identity. It is a tactical term used by left followers along with the Indian Congress to extol a particular religious group. Why did the Congress, with the support of the left, not constitutionalize secularism as a religious identity of its citizens?

The Rama temple at Ayodhya is scheduled to be inaugurated on January 22, 2024, by Mr. Modi. Unfortunately, with sorrow, it would be protested by so-called Hindu seculars from Prof. Amartya Sen to Medha Patekar, even Mohua Maitra (an expelled MP who violated the constitution and national security). In India, every party has its own agenda. So, the BJP is not an exception to this. Further, no Muslim is protesting it because a Masque would be built in parallel.

The Left's existence has ceased to exist, and it is perhaps irrelevant in India. It is waiting for its last rites. Surprisingly, Muslim secular left political leaders are not restricted from performing their religious duties, while Hindu left leaders have voluntarily avoided their religious duties. In the first case, there is no matter of gossip or debate, while the second case is dangerously outcast. Why is this discrimination one-sided? Every act of Hinduism is criticized by Hindu secularism, not merely by Muslims.

Anyone may deny the existence of God. But he or she has no right to criticize it. Why is left secular playing with the majority Hindu sentiment? Every secular left is suppressing their religious beliefs and identities in the name of the secular banner. The left may argue that religion is opium. But left-wing followers have not rejected their religious identity so far. They secretly perform all religious duties. But publicly, they disobey it. The secular is the prime culprit in religious conflict, violence, and other disturbances throughout the nation. Their thoughts and acts presently are restricted within this limit. They criticize the ruling government for criticism as if, if they came into power, they would magically change all systems and the development and progress of India. History reveals the developmental scenario of West Bengal. During its 34-year uninterrupted rule, people died of hunger in Amlasole village, Paschim Medinipur. People were deprived of health care facilities. Industries were shut down, and many other incidents were visible with full relaxation.

Presently, left wings organize “INSAF JOURNEY” in West Bengal. The major issue was anti-Hindu by Hindus. The Left has no other issue with the Modi government. Would it re-establish the left’s hope? Would it not be responsible for any future communal conflict?

Comments

Countrywide protest by gig workers puts spotlight on algorithmic exploitation

By A Representative A nationwide protest led largely by women gig and platform workers was held across several states on February 3, with the Gig & Platform Service Workers Union (GIPSWU) claiming the mobilisation as a success and a strong assertion of workers’ rights against what it described as widespread exploitation by digital platform companies. Demonstrations took place in Delhi, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states, covering major cities including New Delhi, Jaipur, Bengaluru and Mumbai, along with multiple districts across the country.

CFA flags ‘welfare retreat’ in Union Budget 2026–27, alleges corporate bias

By Jag Jivan The advocacy group Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) has sharply criticised the Union Budget 2026–27 , calling it a “budget sans kartavya” that weakens public welfare while favouring private corporations, even as inequality, climate risks and social distress deepen across the country.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

'Gandhi Talks': Cinema that dares to be quiet, where music, image and silence speak

By Vikas Meshram In today’s digital age, where reels and short videos dominate attention spans, watching a silent film for over two hours feels almost like an act of resistance. Directed by Kishor Pandurang Belekar, “Gandhi Talks” is a bold cinematic experiment that turns silence into language and wordlessness into a powerful storytelling device. The film is not mere entertainment; it is an experience that pushes the viewer inward, compelling reflection on life, values, and society.

From water scarcity to sustainable livelihoods: The turnaround of Salaiya Maaf

By Bharat Dogra We were sitting at a central place in Salaiya Maaf village, located in Mahoba district of Uttar Pradesh, for a group discussion when an elderly woman said in an emotional voice, “It is so good that you people came. Land on which nothing grew can now produce good crops.”

The Epstein shock, global power games and India’s foreign policy dilemma

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The “Epstein” tsunami has jolted establishments everywhere. Politicians, bureaucrats, billionaires, celebrities, intellectuals, academics, religious gurus, and preachers—all appear to be under scrutiny, even dismantled. At first glance, it may seem like a story cutting across left, right, centre, Democrats, Republicans, socialists, capitalists—every label one can think of. Much of it, of course, is gossip, as people seek solace in the possible inclusion of names they personally dislike.

Michael Parenti: Scholar known for critiques of capitalism and U.S. foreign policy

By Harsh Thakor* Michael Parenti, an American political scientist, historian, and author known for his Marxist and anti-imperialist perspectives, died on January 24 at the age of 92. Over several decades, Parenti wrote and lectured extensively on issues of capitalism, imperialism, democracy, media, and U.S. foreign policy. His work consistently challenged dominant political and economic narratives, particularly those associated with Western liberal democracies and global capitalism.

Paper guarantees, real hardship: How budget 2026–27 abandons rural India

By Vikas Meshram In the history of Indian democracy, the Union government’s annual budget has always carried great significance. However, the 2026–27 budget raises several alarming concerns for rural India. In particular, the vague provisions of the VBG–Ram Ji scheme and major changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) have put the future of rural workers at risk. A deeper reading of the budget reveals that these changes are not merely administrative but are closely tied to political and economic priorities that will have far-reaching consequences for millions of rural households.

Penpa Tsering’s leadership and record under scrutiny amidst Tibetan exile elections

By Tseten Lhundup* Within the Tibetan exile community, Penpa Tsering is often described as having risen through grassroots engagement. Born in 1967, he comes from an ordinary Tibetan family, pursued higher education at Delhi University in India, and went on to serve as Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile from 2008 to 2016. In 2021, he was elected Sikyong of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), becoming the second democratically elected political leader of the administration after Lobsang Sangay.

Search This Blog