Political uproar in the abode of God

 In the early hours of September 6, 2020, a century-old wooden chariot was set ablaze in Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Antarvedi. Hindu religious bodies across the state raised an uproar at the incident. Political parties lost no time in condemning the ruling YSRCP for failing to protect the chariot. The incident was likened to the burning of the chariot of Sri Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple in Nellore district on February 14, 2020. Desecration of idol at Pithapuram Skathi Peetham on January 25, 2020 was also brought into light by the agitators. The ruling party tried to make amends by taking up the task of building a new chariot at Antarvedi. The case was also handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure a fair and transparent investigation. 

The ripples seemed to die down when a Nandi idol was vandalized in Chittoor district on September 27, 2020. The incident again brought the state government under attack for its negligence in protecting religious property. Before the Government could fully address these concerns, on December 29, 2020, a four hundred year old idol of Lord Rama was vandalized at Ramateertham temple in Vizianagaram district. The ongoing ripples turned into a storm. Hindu organisations and political parties are vying with each other to show their anger at the government for not placing necessary security measures in place. Bharatiya Janata Party and Telugu Desam Party are at the forefront of the on-going protests. Janasena, CPI and Congress have also expressed their anguish at the incident. Ruling YSRCP is doing its best to reason with the protesters. In this milieu, all eyes are turned towards the ruling party’s capability in handing this crisis. One question that needs to be answered in this context is whether state can be called accountable for loss of cultural property in a secular country.

The preamble of the Indian constitution declares India a secular country. Cambridge dictionary defines secularism as the belief that religion should not be involved with the ordinary social and political activities of a country. An ideal secular state does not concern itself with religious institutions. Religion being a cultural institution and state being a political institution have their own functions and responsibilities in the society and they are expected to stay out of each other’s affairs to maintain religious freedom and social progress.

Secularism can be defined as a form of government where the state has no religion. India being a secular country indicates that India does not endorse any particular religion. Secularism is a label for a government that does not believe in state sponsored religious institutions. Contrary to misinformed opinion, secularism does not promote atheism either. Religious freedom is a fundamental right in India. Article 25 to Article 28 of the Indian constitution guarantee right to religious freedom to all Indians. According to the articles, Indian citizens are free to profess their religion, manage religious affairs, are free from taxation on religious events and institutions, and can have religious instruction in non-state funded institutions. Religious institutions, thus have constitutionally protected rights in freely following, preaching and promoting their religion.

Religion, like every other institution, be it private or public, comes under the ambit of the government. It is the basic responsibility of government to protect its citizens and institutions and if this security is breached, then to investigate the matter and try the miscreants. When it comes to public property government also has the responsibility to reconstruct the destroyed property. According to a supreme court ruling in the year 2001, all religious institutions in India are public property unless proved otherwise. This shows that, when it comes to religious institutions like temples, the state can be held accountable for glitches in its security as well as to undo the harm done.

Having said that, one question that rises at this juncture is whether religious vandalisms deserve the attention received in the wake of a global pandemic shaking the world. Economic activity across continents is crumbling like an avalanche. Dynamic changes can be witnessed in terms of work, education, healthcare and connectivity. Universal call for “Health for All” is gaining moment like never before. Virtual practices as an alternative to established practices is being discussed across almost all walks of life. Disadvantageous groups and their access to digital education is one of the pressing concerns to be addressed. While the country is reeling under pressure to adapt to the new normal and make significant changes to enhance pandemic preparedness of the nation to face a possible second wave, how advisable is it to the state to focus its attention to desecrations of religious institutions and vandalisms of property that has been lying untouched for centuries? This question is left to public conscience that feels hurt when an idol is desecrated but easily forgives the government for discrepancies in fulfilling its basic needs.