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The Indian state is unfair to Hindus. What we found might surprise you.
Dear Reader,
Imagine this: In France, a country synonymous with secularism — practicing strict separation of state and religion — the government invests millions in restoring Notre-Dame Cathedral.
Meanwhile, in India, where secularism has a very different shape — with no strict separation of religion and state — it has become a tool of appeasement and unequal treatment. Indian secularism calls for equal treatment of religions. But the Indian state has practiced anything but that.
Take the management of religious places of different faiths for instance. Hindu temples are under stringent state control with minimal or no autonomy, unlike the Gurudwaras and Mosques.
Our Constitution promises religious equality, but what’s happening on the ground? Swarajya's Adithi Gurkar has done a detailed comparative study on this — Unequal Governance: Comparing the Regulation of Hindu, Sikh, And Muslim Religious Institutions.
It's a must-read.
State Control: The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (TNHRCE) Act empowers the government to appoint temple trustees, muzzling the community’s voice. Contrast this with Sikh Gurudwaras, where representatives are elected democratically.
Funds Diverted: Resources of the Hindu temples can be and are used for non-religious purposes, including secular social welfare activities unrelated to Hinduism, without compensation. Waqf properties, however, are protected, and compensation is guaranteed if their lands are requisitioned.
Mismanagement Clauses: Such vague clauses in laws governing Hindu temples allow arbitrary government interference and control. Again not so in the places of worship of other faiths.
The roots of this inequality trace back to colonial-era policies that treated different faiths unequally. These practices persist today also.
The questions about fairness and the true meaning of secularism in India are warranted: Why has this system endured for so long? What does it reveal about India’s approach to religious equality? Why are Hindu temples bearing the brunt of this unequal governance?
Let me give you one instance. Whenever we raise our voices against the predatory and conniving proselytising in missionary schools, the answer we get is "why don't you run your own schools and send your children there?"
Well, Hindu society needs resources for that. Where are our resources piled up? In our temples. Who controls them? The state. Where are these resources used? For secular activities.
Despite these attempts at crippling the Hindu society, they still manage to run schools. But the moot point stands — the control over temples has larger consequences.
But how many of the mainstream media channels have come ahead with a detailed study on this issue? Almost zilch.
Therein comes Swarajya which not only reports but also dives deep, studies, and looks at solutions for these critical issues. And I'm not talking of just this one piece by Adithi, as important as it is, but the general direction and commitment of our work at Swarajya.
Remember our special November month edition on the agenda of 'Temple Freedom'? That's a testament to this commitment. So are our weekend magazines.
Invested readers like you motivate and push us to do these stories and more. Be it India's history, politics, infrastructure, economy, defence, or culture, Swarajya has consistently delivered on its promise of thought-provoking perspectives.
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Until next time,
Anmol N Jain
