A Response

In response to an article in Time magazine by Fareed Zakaria I wrote to him the following:

http://ideas.time.com/2013/03/14/10-big-ideas/slide/write-a-constitution/

Mr. Fareed Zakaria
Time Magazine
Issue dated March 25^th, 2013
Article: “Write A Constitution” by Fareed Zakaria

Dear Sir,

I recognize and acknowledge the absolute significance of a constitution in a Democracy. But I beg to differ in one aspect. Unless the countries in your article adopt secularism and basic principles of a democracy first free societies cannot prevail. A fair and balanced Constitution can only follow secularism. Here is how I see it.

You say, sir that Arab Spring has not fared well. You also cite the examples of the Eastern Bloc countries of previous Soviet Unions which are either dictatorships or teetering to fail democracies. But you have omitted to mention one of the greatest success stories of twentieth century by name; India. As imperfect a democracy it has, it took roots there. It is functioning. And, it is functioning rather well in many ways. And that is precisely because it was a secular nation then and is now. An Indian may be fervently religious individually but collectively he is secular. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who earned India and Pakistan their freedom understood the politics of religion and the politics of non-violence. After the Partition look, what happened in Pakistan! It has had so many Military rules!

India wrote its Constitution after it earned its self-rule. The basic doctrine of Democracy is, rule “of the people, by the people and for the people, and not “of the people, by the religion and for the religion”. Until the basic credo of Democracy and secularism are adopted I do not believe any of these nations will have true Democracies or balanced Constitutions where State and Religion are considered separate.

By the way, secularism in India flourished only because of its roots in poly-theistic religion of hindus; it makes them tolerant towards a few extra gods; allahs, jesuses, buddhas and mazdas.

Mrs. Charu Gandhi