The Great Indian Political Debate - 2

[acharya]

Karat for strengthening secular democracy

Thrissur, March 25 (PTI): CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat today said communal mobilisation on the basis of religion and `Hindutva' theory were the greatest challenges to secular democracy in the country.

Delivering the eighth lecture in memory of Bishop Poulose Mar Poulose on `challenges facing secular democracy' here, he stressed the need for strengthening the concept of secular democracy.

He said in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country like India, a democratic system alone was not sufficient to bring about development.

There was urgent need to maintain `secular democracy' which would accord all citizens equal religious, cultural and other freedom of their choice, Karat said.

Secular democracy was set as a goal in the Constitution with a view to building up a just and equitable society.

Karat said the secular fabric and foundation of the country were being mauled and marred for the last two decades with the growth of the `Hindutva' forces in the form of `majority communalism.'

Majority as a principle of democracy was welcome, but on communal lines it would be dangerous for the country, he said, calling upon everyone to unite to resist the growth of communal and `Hindutva' forces.