Obituary of Secularism

Rants rose through the streets as anger was roused by a singular event in independent India's history. The youth were stimulated and enraged by this development and loudly protested to this treacherous correction. The elderly revisited their memories of fighting for India and independence. Wrath ruled the hearts of those who defended fraternity and brotherhood among all Indians regardless of religion. The military forces, as the author writes, are on standby to prevent destructive mishaps. This is the CAB (Citizenship Amendment Bill further as CAB).

The NRC's big brother, the CAB is a Law (Prior to any judgement taken by the Supreme Court of India). The CAB is a discriminatory and unverified law. As per news reports of quantified data, religious determination of citizenship has prevailed in the NRC and will do so in the CAB. This subjugated factual evidence, however, has remained concealed from the public and hidden from view. Where the NRC failed, the CAB succeeds, as national law. The intent of the government is unclear in the CAB. Of course, OneWorld must provide the publicly available CAB in short (For those who need it).

'The Bill covers six communities, namely Hindu, Sikh, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christian migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.' - The Economic Times

The current happenings ring churchyard bells for any remaining hopes of rational and secular decisions from the incumbent government. Secularism has been drained. Noticeably, The Islamic religion has been dropped from this aggregate of government proclaimed persecuted religious communities. While the government continues to shield its stance, prominent and explicit flaws shelter themselves under its leprous hide. While the government views that the named nations do not persecute Muslims, this is out of perspective and constitutional ethics. To cite a few incidents which spark vivid memories in all three countries alike:

1. The Anti-Ahmaddiya Riots of 1973
2. The May 2010 attacks on Ahmadi Mosques
3. 1999 bomb blast at Ahmaddiya Mosques, Bangladesh
4. International Khatme Nabuyat Movement besieges Ahmaddiya mosques in Bangladesh
5. The Afshar massacre, Afghanistan - 1993
6. Mazar-i-Sharif massacre, 1998 in Afghanistan

Shia Muslims, Hazaras, Ahmadis and various other minorities are vastly persecuted in the aforementioned states. The Home Minister's veracity in his purported heartfelt emotion for those refugees is a forlorn cause to fight a crusade for. Coupled with the controversial minister's previous remarks, a most irregular story has turned upon our fingers. 

In the past, the incumbent government has proactively responded to despondent and destitute stateless-by-law residents derided by their exclusion from the NRC and ensured in parliament that no HINDUS shall be excluded. In harsh and stark contrast, there seems to be no political will to support those impoverished excluded Muslims. Now, illegal Muslim immigrants will face the door to statelessness. In totality, the Indian government encourages religious selection processes to govern administrative matters. 

Indian citizens are brothers without barriers. Their strong ancestral bonds pull together the strings of the Indian society. Communal riots and tensions are small splotches upon the habitually unblemished track record of apolitical religious turmoil. Political misdemeanours have guided Indian culture into an unwanted fray of religion versus religion. Such divisive barriers have culminated into the CAB. Indians today face a weakened constitution, an opposition-mukt Bharat (almost but fighting), and mass propaganda. We may have lost any faith in democracy, but faith in democracy is our last hope. Our constitution may be thoroughly exploited via the CAB, yet it shall be respected. 

To protect fraternity, the constitution and all things democratic the country must unite together. We must fight divisive forces and parliamentarians, regardless of affiliation. The time is not to point out mistakes but to remove them in foresight. Consequences will be disastrous. 

We must protest this irrational ratification of the CAB and desist the protocol forced upon us by the incumbents. There is no time to spare. Violence, however, is not the answer. "As I see violent protests by the JMI students with severe injuries, I am heartbroken. Violence only strengthens the case against you," said OneWorld voicing its ardent opinion. When one fights for the good, one must show the good in one's actions as the one symbolises the whole. Violence mars our desires and our earnest hope of reconciliation by the government of India.

In contrast, the complete removal of the CAB or signing of the Refugee Convention would propagate a more secular view of citizenship for refugees. India remains one of the only countries with no representative signature on the 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol. Signing the Convention will abolish the doubtful stance of India on refugees and allow more decisive actions for the induction of illegal immigrants regardless of religion. A less favourable removal would appease the masses temporarily. OneWorld advises the signage of the Refugee Conventions to avoid undue international dishonour to India for consideration of this bill.

Democracy (i.e. secularism) is the hardest to earn but the easiest to lose - paraphrasing a famous quote. The time is nigh to protect our India from further downfall. Remember, India is at stake.