06-02-2008, 10:22 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Stop using word 'secularism', says BJP to Congress </b>
Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
Always on the receiving end of Congress' stick on the issue of 'secularism', <b>the BJP on Sunday asked the Government to stop the use of Hindi word dharmanirpeksha for 'secular'.</b>
Different theories were floated about the timing behind raking up the issue, party chief Rajnath Singh said, "We will never use the word Dharmanirpeksh and the Government should also issue a directive prohibiting the constitutional use of the word so that from the Prime Minister to the common man no one constitutionally uses this term."
<b>Taking up the issue, elaborately in his speech, Rajnath reiterated 'secular' has been defined as Panthnirpeksh in the official Hindi translation of the Preamble of the Constitution, which is also a public document.</b>
<b>"Therefore, if Dharma is present in the National Emblem, National Flag, and in the supreme seat of Parliament then how can the entire establishment of India be neutral to Dharma or be Dharmanirpeksh?" </b>the party has asked.
Explaining the 'big difference' between Dharmanirpeksh and Panthnirpeksh, Rajnath said Panth or sect symbolises devotion towards any specific belief, specific way of prayer and specific form of God, but Dharma symbolises absolute and eternal values which can never be changed like law or nature.
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Pioneer News Service | New Delhi
Always on the receiving end of Congress' stick on the issue of 'secularism', <b>the BJP on Sunday asked the Government to stop the use of Hindi word dharmanirpeksha for 'secular'.</b>
Different theories were floated about the timing behind raking up the issue, party chief Rajnath Singh said, "We will never use the word Dharmanirpeksh and the Government should also issue a directive prohibiting the constitutional use of the word so that from the Prime Minister to the common man no one constitutionally uses this term."
<b>Taking up the issue, elaborately in his speech, Rajnath reiterated 'secular' has been defined as Panthnirpeksh in the official Hindi translation of the Preamble of the Constitution, which is also a public document.</b>
<b>"Therefore, if Dharma is present in the National Emblem, National Flag, and in the supreme seat of Parliament then how can the entire establishment of India be neutral to Dharma or be Dharmanirpeksh?" </b>the party has asked.
Explaining the 'big difference' between Dharmanirpeksh and Panthnirpeksh, Rajnath said Panth or sect symbolises devotion towards any specific belief, specific way of prayer and specific form of God, but Dharma symbolises absolute and eternal values which can never be changed like law or nature.
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