SECULARISM AND MODERN POLITICS.

 

BY K P PASWAN,

Secularism is not defined in any constitution of any country of the world. Separating Church or religion from state is taken as Secularism, this concept is widely used and misused . In India, secularism  is the most abused word and surprisingly this word is being misused in India by those politicians and persons who are self-proclaimed intellectuals. Most of educated persons think that secularism means separation of religion from the state. It means state cannot preach and encourage a particular religion. We find in modern world that barring Islamic countries every country preach secularism. In India secularism means a person in political power cannot practice his own religion. These educated persons with neurotic personality are responsible all types pf social and political troubles in India.

 In US Jim Matis declared one America and one religion as the aim of political parties without disturbing constitution. In US Church has been separated from the state but we find rich Americans contributing to the growth of Christianity and major Western powers spread modern education by opening a large number of educational centers. These efforts contributed to the growth of scientific temper and encouraged rational thinking.

Religion has played an important role in the development of modern science. In ancient times preacher like St Augustine  and the Archbishop of Cantbury contributed the scientific reasons for the presence of a creator.

 Western concept of secularism is not conservative in the sense that liberals and orthodox were always in conflict with each others.Birth of Protestant is the result of such conflicts  In Europe every country was a Christian majority states so the religious figures were encouraged to spread  Christianity in the colonial states . But at home the politicians in power never allowed religious leaders to interfere in administration. To avoid clash with religions it was separated from state and religion became a personal choice. In France and Germany religious leaders tried to enforce their unscientific ideas and the result was in 1905 France declared a different type of Secularism, France declared itself a nation free from religion.

There is marked difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion. France is a Catholic dominated country with a large section of Muslims from Algeria, Morocco and other Muslim countries. These immigrants do not enjoy freedom associated with democracy in the countries of their birth, so they are still rigid in their personal belief.  Conflict of civilization is seen not only in France but in every country of EU. France has taken the 1905 resolution by which France was declared a country which enjoys the concept’’ Free from Religion’’ and now the minority has no option but follow the rules governing social.political.and religious beliefs In modern society there is no place for religion intolerance.

 In India we find a different type of secularism preached by a few politicians and intellectuals. This type of secularism is beyond the understanding of common people. These secularists go beyond the concept  as prevail in France and want the Govt to refrain from indulging in religious activities associated with majority community. They argue in the air and get much publicity Such type of intellectuals were responsible in the past for creating mischief. They forget that modern India is a gift from the British empire, the King/Queen of UK is also the Defender of Faith and not the destroyer of religion. It also appears that Indian secularists call themselves as Fundamental Secularists and support terrorists committed abroad by religious terrorists and describe them as the victims of foreign powers. This is far from the truth. Religion has never been a binding force between human being. But some religious are bent upon creating fear psychoses in the society. Al Qaeda was borne in Saudi Arabia with a determination to throw away the autocratic rule and impose the religious laws. But Al Qaeda was expelled from Saudi Arabia and found safe sanctuary in Afghanistan and Pakistan. They carried twine tower attacks and got themselves destroyed by the mighty nation, Except Turkey there is no place for secularism in an Islamic nation where minority is taught the supremacy of a particular religion. There is nothing wrong to describe one’s religion as superior but what is wrong is the suppression of minorities.

 It is also said that secularism can play pivotal role in a polarized society as diversity encourages religion tolerance. Is there any proof? There are several countries which are dangerously polarized society, but secularism is not practiced. The country known as India was divided on the basis of religion so after 75 years India was bound to be nation of diverse culture with maximum religious tolerance but the result is just opposite. Religious tensions prevail in India. UK is facing worst type of radicalisation  owing  a particular religion. UK has given birth to several dreaded terrorists and is a perfect breeding ground of terrorists who ready to fight and die for religion.

 In India secularism is likely to be influenced by success or failure of religious based terrorism in other countries. Politicians are using secularism and religion to settle personal and political scores.  Those who are opposed to any kind of secularism are being patronized by rich and famous.

 In Turkey vulgar display of  western style of secularism being protected by the army was rejected by common people but they also refused to accept the hegemony of religious leaders. In the name of secularism, consuming of alcohol and nude dance in  places of worships were put to  end by Recep Tayyib Erdogan, the current president of Turkey. I purchased a copy of Satanic Verses in Turkey, In India this book is banned, it is doubtful if politicians and intellectuals have even read few pages of this book. An educated Indian lady uttered something the head of a religion, in most of European countries people will not mind such type of comments, but in India several organisations demanded the head of the woman.

 FINAL THOUGHT. Secularism is the corner stone and fundamental of a democracy. But it cannot succeed unless it is defined in a clear language. Our neighboring countries boast of secularism but religion intolerance is at its zenith.  In Africa in most of the country’s secularism has no place. Tribal conflicts and sectarian killings are very common and run contrary to the principle of both democracy and secularism. This will continue till dooms day.

THREE ATHEISTS, BAD PHILOSOPHERS.

 

BY K P PASWAN

At present we find three Atheists, inspiring the world by their wonderful arguments against GOD and religion, Richard Dawkins book GOD DELUSION is being smuggled through internet in the Middle East where this book is banned for sale. What an irony, this book is downloaded in Saudi Arabia and a few enthusiasts have been either jailed or convicted to death.

Sam Harris is an American Neuro Scientist, a brilliant scholar on Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. But the twine towers attack has turned him against a particular religion and proudly declares that war against terrorism means war against Islam. His book THE END OF FAITH, if translated into Arabic is certain to lead violence and the people would forget the massacre of employees of the French Magazine CHARLE HEBDO. He has been accused of suffering from Islamophobia. By heart he is a Democrat, is in the habit of blasting Donald Trump and calls him a hypocrite. He has authored a book, LETTER TO A CHRISTIAN NATION . The third atheist making a mockery of Divine power is Daniel C Donnette, he has authored a book Breaking the Spell. In Physical appearance, he resembles Narendra Modi, the PM of India.

 Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are brilliant scientists and Daniel Dennett is a philosopher and may be compared with  British atheist philosopher Wittgenstein. Richard Dawkins attacks God for sending Tsunami for killing innocent people. His act is balancing Islam and Christianity and condemned Martin Rees, a world-famous astrophysicist for accepting Templeton award which is given to those scientists who present something positive with, sufficient proofs, of religion.

I had an opportunity to listen to Richard Dawkins in the Kolkata book fare when I just finished my post-graduation in physics. After listening to the brilliant biologist of our time, I concluded that I listened to a lecture on geology by a Zoologist. By sheer luck I came closer to a Nobel Laureate in physics who considers himself an avowed atheist, but he is a scholar of GEETA and Upanishads. US has a large number of institutions which imparts education in Sanskrit, and if you want to learn the true meaning and contents of holy scriptures of Vedic religion, you will find US not legging behind India.

It may be noted that Sam Harris spent many years in India and developed liking for Buddhism, Jainism and of course Hinduism. Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris are aggressive in attacking God and religion. Richard Dawkins thinks wrongly that the term God emerges from religion. He forgets that neither Buddhism nor a section of Hindu scriptures believe in a God, who sends tsunami and hurricane to kill innocent people.

PAST ATHEISTS. Germany has always been known as producing excellent scientists and atheists. We know a philosopher, Frederik Nietzsche who declared that GOD was dead meaning end of traditional morality, while one German philosopher declared that he killed GOD, what does it mean? It means God was roaming in Germany with a dagger in his hand and threatening people, so he was caught and killed. Highly qualified and educated philosophers of Germany like Leibniz, discussed the rationality of the universe and their experiences were shared with admiration all over the world. With progress in fundamental science, new facts started emerging, then we find emergence of counter anti atheistic movement in US.

Bertrand Russel and George Bernard Shaw, they were much respected intellectuals of their times. Bertrand Russel, a mathematician and Nobel peace prize winner, became an atheist as the Second Law of thermodynamics led him to believe that human race would face extinction in heat death, while Bernard Shaw, who won Nobel in literature was influenced by prevailing suffering of people due to Second World War. In present time, scientists are not talking of heat death as there are conflicting opinions, whether an expanding universe ever would achieve maximum entropy or disorder?  We are less concerned with heat death or collapse of universe into nothing, because there won’t be any body left to see the apoplectic end of the universe and there won’t be any restaurant at the end of the universe.

LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS, are not the final words of reasons of our existence. Energy cannot be created and destroyed, so there is no need for a creator, Energy can be converted into other things but what whens ENERGY becomes NOTHING, great brains are engaged in cracking the code of NOTHING, if it turns out laws of nature than the first law demands a writer of these laws. The Universe is not static and Roger Penrose is telling us that the present universes from an already existed universe. The Universe is cyclic but it needs an operator, in the case of a static universe, atheists will win the race but the universe is expanding and is not static.

Jacques Monad of France, who was one of the youngest scientists to win a Nobel in medicine was first to denounce existence of divine power and his arguments are more convincing than Richard Dawkins. Monod is convinced that our destiny has not been written, and we are completely at the mercy of evolution. His philosophy greatly influenced the minds of scientists of ours times.

Coming to real issue, Dawkins assaults religion for reasons best known to every educated persons of the world. He forgets that his own country being ruled by overambitious politicians were responsible for the lamentable state affairs and twisted religion as per their wish. Sam Harris launches attack on Islam, forgetting that his own country does not allow entry of liberal Muslims scholars to enter to US but allows Wahhabi and Salafi to flourish and engage in terrorist activities, Richard Dawkins’s motherland UK has become the breeding ground for the worst type of terrorists, ready to die for paradise. The whole of EU is behaving like defender of terrorists in the name of human rights.

 It is unfortunate that a brilliant scholar like Dawkins thinks that evil and goodness may be attributed to selfish jen and not God, but everybody in this world irrespective of religion, believe that human being possesses certain qualities which cannot be proved by Dawkins Selfish Jean and BLIND WATCH MAKER, but these people also don’t think that a divine power is working behind these qualities. Sam Harris being a neuro scientist is perhaps more rational than Richard Dawkins. Sam Harris is outraged that twin tower attack was in the name of protecting religion, but dead terrorist, instead of protecting religion, gave birth to a person like Sam Harris and created persons who hate the religion of terrorists. Baghdadi killed and raped women in the name of punishing the infidels, but he himself met a tragic.

While attacking religion and questioning the existence of a benevolent GOD, Richard Dawkins does not give any scant credit to several brilliant particle physicists, who unraveled the mystery of nature without invoking a supernatural power. There are some atheists who think that by providing relief and help to humankind we can replace God, but this is happening even without atheism. Every state, barring exceptions are engaged in welfare activities meant for every section of society. There are more than 300 Nobel Prise winners in US, in different segments, but mostly in physics, Chemistry and Medicines. There are few American physicists who are willing to accept Richard Dawkins as a living manifestation of destiny, targeting a divine power. Moreover, Dawkins surprisingly calls certain politicians and scientists like Einstein as atheist.

DALAILAMA And Neuroscience,  Dalai lama is very much interested in Neuroscience. Buddhism and certain section of Vedic schools denounce a personal God and Vedic philosophy identified soul with Brahmans which is certainly not God, I am not certain, but a leading scholar told me that entire Buddhism is influenced by a particular Upanishads, which decries soul and God. For Buddhism, Souls are not free from the cycle of death and rebirth and here Neuroscience plays important role in understanding human nature. When a few learned American Physicists from Mount Palomar, (famous for one of the largest observatories) visited His Holiness Dalai lama, the later asked the physicists the latest discovery and news from Mount Palomar, after listening to physicists Dalai lama told them “So now we have a position”. Sam Harris, himself well versed in Buddhism and Neuroscience may realise the significance of Dalai lama’s observations. In the same way Richard Dawkins attacks an unproven divine power for human sufferings, but he must be aware of those suffering, which led to the emergence of Prince Siddhartha as Lord Buddha, we call him an atheist but he remains silent when asked about a creator.

 Daniel Dinette listens to latest developments in physics but he does not think that science has reached its zenith, his way of denouncing God and religion is quite different’

 FINAL WORDS. The Universe is expanding but the question is expansion from what and expansion into what? In the same way Evolution from what and into what? Neither Dawkins nor Sam Harris can answer. Physicists are trying to find an answer. We are certain that we will find answer, then it is possible that religion itself becomes a form of science. And in the changed scenario no religion with violence can hope to survive. These three atheists Richard Hawkins’s Harris and Daniel Dennett are great atheists and brilliant scientists, but not great philosophers, in fact they are very bad philosopher. Atheists movement has badly failed to generate enough strength in the world. Philips Johnson, the most renowned Creationist accepts that evolution has taking place, but he insists more on selection, and the question is selection by whom?  Evolution without Selection badly assaults the writer of BLIND WATCH MAKER, as per Richard Dawkins, we the human being select the future, but human being is not the ultimate target of evolution, selection would lead to a new form of species with artificial intelligence, but we are not certain and no scientists worth the name are certain. Stefen Joy Gould who advocated the compatibility of science and religion and before his death suspected outside influence for guiding the universe.  Stephen joy Gould was not an atheist but an agnostic and one of the greatest Paleontologist of our time for whom neither Dawkins, Harris or Dennett have even scant respect.

 

APARTHEID IN INDIA

 

 By K P PASWAN.

These days US is sanctioning many states on the basis of violation of human rights. India has been warned against violations of human rights. India unlike many neighboring countries is highly and dangerously polarized society. In 1947 India was divided on the basis of religion and a separate state for Muslim was formed but the problems of communalism remain in India and there is no end of communal tension in sight. Some of disgruntled politicians in power claim themselves as secular but once he fears losing his position he would not mind taking shelter in a communal party. This is happening in India from the date of its birth.

 But there is another type of human rights violation and few intellectuals have given even slight attention to the problems. India is the home of a large number of Dalits who are declared part of Hindu religion. From ancient times these Dalits who are also called Untouchables are facing worst type of apartheid. Thanks to the colonial rule and the impact of western education, these Dalits have been placed on equal footing with other people belonging to high caste. In services these Dalits along with Tribal enjoy reservation which are being opposed in the name of merit. The Merit has not been defined in any political set up of any nation of the world. Merit is a relative term and if reservation for Dalit is ended than there must be viable alternative, surprisingly a large number of educated Caste Hindus advocate special package for Dalits. This is welcome suggestion but special packages have bben misused by bureaucrats and politicians in power. This raises question whether Dalit lives matter in India and the final answer is NO. At the same time, we must acknowledge that reservation is not the final answer, there are hundred cases where an educated family of Dalit has availed reservation for Group one services denying the same to other Dalits.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND.

The Colonial power tried to give separate identity to Dalits but was opposed by Mahatma Gandhi. This surprising as when Kemal Pasha abolished the tyrannical regime of The Ottoman empire in Turkey, Mahatma under the influence of Shaukat Ali and Rahmat Ali supported the demand for restoration of Ottoman power. In the entire world British India was the only country which supported the restoration of anarchy in Turkey. And when the British introduced the bill for separate system of representation for Dalits, Mahatma threatened to undergo fast.  There were many western educated freedom fighters but they supported the restoration of Ottoman empire. The Bill was withdrawn. But the freedom fighters failed to propose alternative. They accused the British of separating the Dalits from the Hindu religion. It is surprising as Dalits were identified with Vedic religion. Mahatma was aware of apartheid being practiced in South Africa. So, apartheid became an integral part of Indian society. It is not known that whether freedom fighters who opposed separate representation for the Dalits were Hindus or not, but surprising thing is that a separate sovereign country was carved out for a particular group of people, and Dalits were provided reservation in services annoying the entire Caste Hindu.

REASONS. Indian politics is caste ridden. Here election is fought in the name of castes. This started from the period when first general election was held. In a large number of places Dalits were prevented from exercising voting rights as the ballot papers were either snatched or there was massive rigging. In fact, these democratic elections were stolen. System somewhat improved with introduction of electronic voting machines.

 COMPLICATIONS. In reserved parliamentary constituency a Dalit has to depend upon some influential persons belonging to upper castes who always have their personal agendas in mind. For example, in a reserved constituency the Dalits may constitute 20 to 30 % of total votes so a Dalit candidate has to seek the support of persons belonging to upper castes to win the election. In that cast the winner has to toe the line of person who supported the Dalit to win the election. This defeats the purpose of reservation in legislature. Then there are the problems of reservation in educational institutions like medical and engineering.  Dalits and Tribal get reservation and we see Dalits and Tribal as doctors and technocrats. Questions are being raised pertaining to sound knowledge of medicines and technology. It is argued that patients shall go to a competent doctor and not to a less competent doctor selected on the basis of reservation. There is some logic in this argument If we accept the arguments than alternatives may be searched which is impossible; Dalits and Tribal admitted on the basis of reservation may annoy girls and boys belonging to upper castes.

 This type of Apartheid is found in almost every part of the country. In south part of India people vote in the name of castes and there is widespread agitation supporting and opposing reservation.  Fortunately, Caste war has not been noticed but the real reason is conversion of Dalits by people of other religion. We see agitations against conversion and the West accuse India of violating human rights. 

REMEDY. Only remedy is available to anti Reservationists is financial aid to Dalits and Tribal but no abolition of Caste system and Apartheid. In Jharkhand a lady I.A.S officer was found to grab nearly Rs which were allotted for MANREGA most of the labours are poor Dalits Tribal and other castes. In fact, fund given for development of Tribal and Dalits are vulnerable to grabbing by corrupt officers this is happening everywhere in India. In Bihar known for scams and caste census, a scam known as Srijan Scam is being investigated. A large amount  money meant for poor Dalits and Tribals were grabbed by officers, many I.A.S officers are involved and nothing is going to happen to culprits as money was meant for welfare of Dalits..

 CONCLUSION. WE have to revisit history. The Dalits and Tribal should be separated from the upper cast dominated religion. This was the proposal of the Colonial Empire. In the legislature only the Dalits and Tribal may be allowed to exercise the right of franchise. Spread of education and interfaith marriage have affected the great religion but this religion is declining. Grievances of upper castes and the sufferings of Dalits have to be attended with utmost care. At present the ruling party openly preach discrimination against Dalits. The PM of India emerged as a brilliant Statesman of international politics but he is showing symptoms of a Lame Duck PM, this is the greatest

EMERGING TREND IN UK POLITICS

K P PASWAN

Boris Johnson has resigned from the post of PM and either Liz Truss, British Foreign Secretary or Rishi Sunak, former Treasury Secretary is likely to replace Johnson.

Modern UK is no longer a major military power. Commonwealth of Nations which once glorified Great Britain as great colonial power has lost its relevance. Except parliamentary democracy and a popular monarchy, UK does not inspire world politics. Post Brexit Britain is facing the heat of Islamic radicalism and some of the most dreaded terrorists were brought up in UK. Ukraine crisis has left UK in wilderness as it happened to be a trusted friend of US but not respected by major powers of Europe like France and Germany. UK is a member of NATO but this organization has lost its strategic importance. There is a changing dynamic between France and Russia. So, UK has modified its politics as per changed international relations. UK continues to represent US interest in European politics. By diplomacy UK is trying to introduce new idea in Afghanistan and war-torn Middle East. It has changed its China policy in favour of US and is trying its best to stop China from bullying the neighborliness countries.

There is economic slowdown for some unknown reasons. However, it is presumed that crisis in Ukraine has also impacted British economy. But strong reason is the measures taken to control the brutal virus. UK has to spend billions of Dollars to purchase vaccines and lock down like restrictions slowed down the manufactured activities. But it is a fact that UK suffered owing to latest variants of Omicron.

There is a large number of immigrants Muslims in UK A They enjoy the status of refugees without contributing to growth of economy, on the contrary there are a large number of Indians with impressive contribution to national economy. These are mostly from former colonies. It is seen that barring exceptions majority of them are not contributing to the growth of British economy but they want their rigid religious scriptures to be introduced in UK. Labor party once a powerful opposition of radicals have suddenly turned to vocal support of these radicals.

UK, unlike US is not an oil producing state and has to import oil and gas from the oil rich middle east. Recent crisis has led to purchase of Russian oil and gas at discounted price on grand scale. UK was also convulsed by Coronavirus. Its economy was adversely impacted and still the pandemic is not over.  After Brexit  UK was given certain concessions by EU so that UK may not feel the sense of isolation but Germany continue to rule the EU and UK has right of fishing with France. Post Brexit UK is supposed to have robust political and economic tie with India which has not been materialized, the reason is that UK has been a traditional supporter of Pakistan but there is a definite shift of political landscape so far as Pakistan is concerned. Another headache for UK is Turkey. Erdogan the president of Turkey has successfully lifted Turkey from poverty stricken nation. Erdogan has given up western style of secularism but the Sharia has not replaced the western system of jurisprudence. Certain actions of Erdogan like its close proximity with Iran and Russia has infuriated US and UK is supposed to support US policy against the former Ottoman empire. Erdogan fears that US would try to carve out separate homeland for the Kurds and sympathy of UK towards Kurds can be seen.

Emerging trend of politics in UK needs through study. UK is the parents of parliamentary democracy in the world. Even in US find the imprint of UK political system In the entire world we find political system based on parliamentary democracy. Monarchy which still prevail in certain countries has to submit to the will of common people otherwise monarchy cannot survive.

Coming to UK, after WW2  UK was and still is an industrialized country, Once UK nearly colonized half of the world and besides spreading Christianity, education system of the colonized country led to better understanding of political system There are only two political parties, once Liberal Party was also a political party of importance. Labor Party is generally influenced by socialist ideology.. Conservative on the other hand is still believe in traditional political ideology which is neither left or right. With collapse of colonialism UK had to accommodate a large number of immigrants from the members of Commonwealth of nations, which is conglomerate of former colonies. Immigrants enjoy equal voting rights. Unfortunately free speech has led to emergence of radicals which exalt in glorifying terror and religion. These radicals mostly consist of Muslims immigrated from different Islamic nations

For political reasons UK is supporting Islams and most of the mosques follow Wahhabi system of religious ideology After formation of new government in UK we may witness UK in a new political roles,.