Editor,
The Preamble to the Constitution of India specifically states that India is a secular Socialist State. The Supreme Court of India has held that “Secularism” is the basic feature of our Constitution hence any State Government which fails in upholding this basic feature has no right to continue. Secularism, as per the Constitution, does not signify being anti-religion. Secularism signifies giving equal dignity and respect to all religions. Of course, it goes without saying that the Indian state has no religion of its own, nor for that matter can any religion claim superiority over another religion.
Jawaharlal Nehru once said, “The alliance of religion and politics in the shape of communalism is a most dangerous alliance, and it yields the most abnormal kind of illegitimate brood…the combination of politics and of religion in the narrowest sense of the word, resulting in communal politics is-there can be no doubt-a most dangerous combination is harmful to the country as a whole”.
Independent India has miserably failed to put an end to the most dangerous combination of politics and religion – the communal politics and ‘the most abnormal kind of illegitimate brood’ continues to wreak havoc in the nation. We have never stopped killing and raping people in the name of caste and religion; we have not conquered the evil of social and economic inequalities even after 78 years of Independence. Anyway, within months of independence, bullets pierced the very heart of our secularism and tolerance – the Mahatma.
On February 12, 1948, in a speech delivered to a crowd of over a million people gathered on the banks of the Ganges to witness the immersion of the Mahatma’s ashes, Nehru said, “Our country gave birth to a mighty soul and he shone like a beacon not only for India but for the whole world. And yet he was done to death by one of our own brothers and compatriots. How did this happen? You might think that it was an act of madness, but that does not explain this tragedy. It could only occur because the seed for it was sown in the poison of hatred and enmity that spread throughout the country and affected so many of our people. Out of that seed grew this poisonous plant. It is the duty of all of us to fight this poison of hatred and ill will.”
Have we fought this poison of hatred and could we eliminate the poisonous plant from the country? We have witnessed the disastrous effects of this poisonous plant. Seventy-eight years after independence, it seems that this poisonous plant has spread its roots deep down in the collective psyche of the nation dismantling our secular democracy which has been laboriously built on the foundation of plurality and diversity.
If every State in India has to march towards progress and all-around development, it can ill afford to endure social and communal hatred any longer. This is the least we can do to protect the image of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the document embodying our Constitution. There is no state religion in India since secularism means there is no state or favoured religion. The state will have to follow the Constitution as a religion that gives equal status to all the religions. In society secularism shows that there is no priority for any particular religion. And that would be the best way to observe the Republic Day this year. In short, if political parties or those in government for that matter attend the services of only a particular religion then it signifies a negative view as it goes against secularism. Thus, unity and secularism should be the motto of a government.
Yours etc.,
Dr Omarlin Kyndiah
Via email
In need of a stray free Meghalaya
Editor,
If you could wipe out anyone’s jobs, what would it be? Would it be those of politicians and policy makers? Judges or bureaucrats? No? How about those of the police? As for me, I would definitely target those of dog rescuers. Not because I want to push people out of doing “meaningful work” but because I feel that type of work shouldn’t even have to exist.
Many may disagree since rabies infested mutts are crawling all over the city especially in localities like Pynthor Umkhrah, Mawkhar and Rynjah. But seriously! Would you believe such jobs don’t even exist in the Netherlands? Considering how widespread the stray dog problem around the world is, it’s difficult to imagine that one country has been able to get its poop together and eradicate the issue. No, the Netherlands didn’t execute a stray dog cull like what Kerala had done. No! They simply exercised plain old common sense and compassion. It’s actually a bit baffling that our loud-mouth and over-opinionated Bharat has not caught on. So, how did the Netherlands eliminate stray dogs? When you hear how simple the solution was you’ll definitely shake your head.
The Netherlands government tackled the issue head on and enforced a massive tax on store-bought (puppy milled) dogs. This hefty tax compelled potential dog owners to adopt from shelters instead. They initiated the CNVR program: Collect, Neuter, Vaccinate and Return. This is a government funded initiative that carries out neutering, spaying, and vaccinating of stray dogs and it makes total sense. If you cut the issue off at the root there’s no issue. And lastly, they launched a pet-police force that actually follows through on substantial fines and jail time for animal abuse and neglect. These pet-cops also assist in animal rescue. Imagine if this were the same here in India and Meghalaya?
While we’re on the topic of how the Dutch care for animals, perhaps the coolest thing I’ve learned is that they have a whole political party representing animals. It’s literally called the Party for the Animals which was elected to the House of Representatives in 2006. Can’t get more pro-dog than that, can it? If any of this comes as a surprise to you, it shouldn’t. The Dutch also treat their humans with dignity and respect. Since 2014, they’ve closed 23 prisons, choosing rehabilitation over incarceration. And here we’re constructing bigger jails.
So there we have it! A clear-cut solution. When you look at the way the Netherlands takes care of their own, it makes one wonder why other countries haven’t taken note. Wouldn’t it be the start of a perfect world if all the heroes who currently work in shelters and rescue organizations like Shillong Happy Tails could switch jobs and obtain pup-cop badges and political seats?
Yours etc.,
Rapbor Nongsteng
(A concerned parent and animal lover)
Shillong – 2