Hindutva to secularism: Three most MISUSED, ABUSED words in 'SICKular' Indian politics

New Delhi: What comes to your mind when you think of Hindutva, secularism or communalism? These are some of the most misused, abused words of Indian politics. In view of the forthcoming elections, our political parties, who claim to be the conservators of "secularism" have dragged these terms into political discourse. It seems the words 'communalism', 'secularism', 'communalism' and more are used in India more than almost any other country but Why? The etymology of the words is unclear but they have become acceptable through regular usage. These words are used just to make fool of the voters and to appease particular section of the society. By doing so, these parties find it convenient to keep the other parties out of power. It's high time to deconstruct this "sick" politics and avoid these "SICKULAR" or "not-so-secular" political parties so that we can end this misuse of such controversial terms once and for all. Let's try to know what these terms signify and why these terms have been dragged into political discourse. Hindutva The word's etymology is unclear but it was coined by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in 1923. It never meant "communal politics" but, the regular misuse, abuse of the word has made it so. According to a 1995 Supreme Court of India judgement the word Hindutva could be used to mean "the way of life of the Indian people and the Indian culture or ethos." The SC ruled, "Ordinarily, Hindutva is understood as a way of life or a state of mind and is not to be equated with or understood as religious Hindu fundamentalism. It may well be that these words are used in a speech to promote secularism or to emphasise the way of life of the Indian people and the Indian culture or ethos, or to criticise the policy of any political party as discriminatory or intolerant." M S Golwalkar, one of the main proponents of Hindutva, believed that India's diversity in terms of customs, traditions and ways of worship was its uniqueness and that this diversity was not without the strong underlying cultural basis which was essentially native. He believed that the Hindu natives with all their diversity, shared among other things "the same philosophy of life", "the same values" and "the same aspirations" which formed a strong cultural and a civilizational basis for a nation Various political parties consider Hindutva ideology as a euphemistic effort to conceal communal beliefs and practices just to garner votes. Now, is it wrong to follow the Indian culture? But, yes to misuse or abuse the terms for political purposes is immoral and unacceptable.

Secularism It means that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs or public education. public activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be uninfluenced by religious beliefs and/or practices. Respecting all religions alike is secularism. Secularism is not to vote for a particular "sickular" political party that claims to have exclusive rights of "secularism". In a recent meeting with a few Muslim leaders in the national capital, Congress President Sonia Gandhi asked the Muslim leaders to ensure that "secular votes" did not split in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections. Did she or her party has exclusive rights for "secularism" in India or voting in her party's favour will ensure the voter to be secular?

Communalism Playing a "divisive communal politics" card, the Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan made an attempt to polarise vote by alleging the 1999 Kargil war was fought and won by soldiers from Muslim community and not Hindus. Taking political discourse to another new low, Azam was probably the first political leader to have attempted to drag the Indian Army into the mess of electioneering. Will appeasing a particular community get you more votes, Mr Azam Khan? Similarly, the BJP leaderAmit Shah, while addressing a public rally said, "The upcoming general election was an opportunity to seek "revenge for the insult" inflicted during the riots in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh last year." Likewise, for Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal communalism has become a major issue for polls. For an anti-corruption crusader-turned-politician, communalism is a priority not corruption. Why? Now the question arises why these political parties not talk about reviving the Indian economy? Why do they not talk about our unemployed youth? Why religion, communalism, sickularism have become their core agenda for the polls? It's high time to end the abuse of such terms and eye larger goals for the development of our country.