Secularism a European concept, let it be there: TN guv

Secularism is a European concept, evolved following a conflict between the church and the king and whereas Bharat is a dharma-centric nation and there was no such conflict and it was, hence, not included in the Constitution, but added to it during the Emergency, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has said.

A lot of frauds have been committed on the people of the country, and one of them was a wrong interpretation of secularism, he said addressing an event in Kanyakumari district on Sunday.

"What does secularism mean? Secularism is a European concept, secularism is not a Bharatiya concept." In Europe, secularism emerged as there was a fight between the church and the king and in order to end this conflict, which went on for a long time, this concept was evolved.

At the time of independence, when the Constitution was being drafted, a discussion came up on secularism and the Constituent Assembly rejected it observing that Bharat is a dharma-centric country and there has been no conflict, similar to what was witnessed in Europe.

Citing the Constituent Assembly discussions, he said it was deliberated there that Bharat is a country of dharma and, "how can there be a conflict with dharma? How can Bharat be away from dharma? it cannot be!

Hence, they said secularism was a European concept and let it be there. In India, there was no need for secularism, they said and hence, it was not included in the Constitution.

Decades later, during emergency (1975-77), "one insecure Prime Minister," introduced secularism in the Constitution in order to appease some sections of people, the Governor alleged. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister during emergency.