In the spirited debate on the status of secularism in India, the audience at the India Today Conclave witnessed a clash of ideologies between two fervent groups, comprising politicians and historians. Advocating for the motion, Trinamool Congress leader Riju Datta, along with Ashutosh, a noted columnist and author, and Shama Mohamed, Congress national spokesperson, presented compelling arguments asserting the demise of secularism in India.Â
They highlighted instances such as the Citizenship Amendment Act and the transformation of 'Jai Shri Ram' from a greeting to a divisive slogan, attributing the decline of secular values to the ascendancy of majoritarianism under the ruling BJP.
Their assertions were met with formidable opposition from Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson, Hindol Sengupta, a distinguished historian and author, and Shehla Rashid, a prominent human rights activist. Refuting the motion, they pointed to instances of religious harmony such as the grand Christmas celebrations in Kolkata and the peaceful environment in Jammu and Kashmir, contrasting them with the turbulent period marked by terror blasts in the past.Â
Poonawalla particularly criticized what he termed as "Nehruvian secularism," arguing that it failed to address critical issues and hindered progress in areas like gender equality and personal laws.
In a decisive verdict, the audience sided with the debaters who spoke against the motion, affirming their belief that secularism is not dying in India. The nuanced arguments presented by Poonawalla, Sengupta, and Rashid resonated with the audience, highlighting the enduring spirit of secularism amidst the diverse fabric of Indian society.
