The unique part of democratic India is its diversity. Various religious practices is one such diversities of the country. The father of our nation M. K. Gandhi too was not hesitant in accepting that politics in India go hand in hand with religion and it cannot be separated.
Article 25 to 28 of Indian Constitution ensures with the ‘Freedom of religion’. Right to practise, Profess and Preach religion is one among the rights under it. But in the atmosphere of communal sensitivity, Karl Marx is proved right with his statement; ‘Religion is the opium of masses.’
A minority institute at Mandya District of Karnataka was questioned for its Christmas celebration. Raged masses who claimed to be parents didn’t even hesitate in calling Santa Claus a thief. They moved a step ahead and accused the institute’s festivity celebration as part of its conversion plan. Is the institute right in organising a religious festival in a school with children belonging to varied beliefs?
Article 28 of the Constitution facilitates, the freedom for the attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions. But the institution which are completely maintained by the State are not permitted to do so whereas an educational institution getting recognition from the State and availing fund from the State if is into a certain religious practice, then it should be done with the consent of the State.
In the Mandya issue, it indeed was an institute run by the minorities and so had the Constitutional provision in practising the religion. On the other side, it is the duty of the school management to ensure parental consent and go ahead with the celebration.
With communalism entering into the society, the enthusiasm, participation and celebration in religious festivals regardless of religious boundaries is less evident, on the other side, the lack of knowledge on Constitution and its values have further pushed down the citizens against standing firm on their rights. We are moving blindly towards the dark cave of communalism. Hope, the Indian masses enlighten oneself with the sacred values of Constitution and awaken the Indianness of savouring the essence of diversities.
Image by Silentpilot
