Our Constitution asserts that India is a Sovereign, Socialist Secular Democratic Republic. However, as we all know, reality is completely different. I want to highlight here from recent personal experiences, some actions that seek to arrogantly stamp out these rights enshrined in the Constitution.
It was an ‘auspicious’ day and the sub-registrar office in this small district of Tamil Nadu was bustling with people who want to complete the registration process within the auspicious time on this auspicious day and hence the unusual rush – or that’s what I was told.
I had to be present at this sub-registrar’s office to complete the formalities of a property registration. As we waited our turn, I observed two things that caught my attention. On the wall of this public office, there was a portrait of a former CM (now deceased) prominently displayed. I have no issue with a political personality’s portrait adorning the walls of the party office or even some of the minister’s homes and offices, but to have the photograph in a Government office, is something not acceptable in a State, in a Country that calls itself a Democratic society is simply not acceptable.
Is this blatant propaganda of a particular party? Misuse of Government office to promote one particular party? Anyway, I leave it to my readers to draw their own conclusion.
Secondly, in the same registrar office, on the wall right above the place where they actually verify your documents and complete the registration, there were not less than 10 photographs of Gods and Goddesses of a particular religion. Again, I don’t have any reservation against people following any faith or religion, but to fill up a wall in a Govt. office with pictures of deities from one particular religion is questionable.
While I silently waited there inhaling the fragrance from the incense sticks prayerfully inserted into a lemon, my thoughts went back to few months back when I was at a Post Office to send my IT Returns through Speed Post (as it was stipulated by the law) There were already few people waiting at the counter as the post office was open. There was also a very elderly gentlemen standing in the queue. I could see staff scrambling around inside the office, but none of them had taken their seats behind the counter.
I then saw the reason for this and was baffled. The staff including the head of the post office was waiting for a ‘pooja’ to start. And soon, the junior staff spread the broken coconuts, camphor, turmeric and other paraphernalia required for the ritual to be completed right on the table and started the pooja. Only after completing this ceremony, the staff took to their seats and after fiddling with the computers mumbling something about the servers being slow did they start the work for the day – more than 30 minutes after the official opening of the office. And the poor old gentleman was still waiting for his turn to perhaps buy a stamp …
A quick cut to another scenario. This was in a very large private sector company in the manufacturing sector. Preparations were made for Christmas celebrations at the plant and Xmas trees and decorations were put up at the factory. This was done after getting approval to conduct such events to usher in the festive season. But, the very next day the Christmas tree and all the other decorations were pulled out by some of the staff saying that this Company is not a Christian organization!
While, Govt. offices established to serve the public are getting away with blatant display of religious bigotry, a Christmas tradition followed by many big corporates in India even today was vigorously opposed by a small group of fanatics and their rights(?) promptly granted.
Coming back to the sub-registrar’s office, on the opposite wall, a former President’s portrait was strategically placed overlooking the portraits of the political figure and the display of religious fervour. This particular President was known for his utter simplicity and impeccable secular credentials – he must be rolling in his grave that he has been made a witness to these blatant attempts to tarnish India’s socialist, secular and democratic credentials.
It was an ‘auspicious’ day and the sub-registrar office in this small district of Tamil Nadu was bustling with people who want to complete the registration process within the auspicious time on this auspicious day and hence the unusual rush – or that’s what I was told.
I had to be present at this sub-registrar’s office to complete the formalities of a property registration. As we waited our turn, I observed two things that caught my attention. On the wall of this public office, there was a portrait of a former CM (now deceased) prominently displayed. I have no issue with a political personality’s portrait adorning the walls of the party office or even some of the minister’s homes and offices, but to have the photograph in a Government office, is something not acceptable in a State, in a Country that calls itself a Democratic society is simply not acceptable.
Is this blatant propaganda of a particular party? Misuse of Government office to promote one particular party? Anyway, I leave it to my readers to draw their own conclusion.
Secondly, in the same registrar office, on the wall right above the place where they actually verify your documents and complete the registration, there were not less than 10 photographs of Gods and Goddesses of a particular religion. Again, I don’t have any reservation against people following any faith or religion, but to fill up a wall in a Govt. office with pictures of deities from one particular religion is questionable.
While I silently waited there inhaling the fragrance from the incense sticks prayerfully inserted into a lemon, my thoughts went back to few months back when I was at a Post Office to send my IT Returns through Speed Post (as it was stipulated by the law) There were already few people waiting at the counter as the post office was open. There was also a very elderly gentlemen standing in the queue. I could see staff scrambling around inside the office, but none of them had taken their seats behind the counter.
I then saw the reason for this and was baffled. The staff including the head of the post office was waiting for a ‘pooja’ to start. And soon, the junior staff spread the broken coconuts, camphor, turmeric and other paraphernalia required for the ritual to be completed right on the table and started the pooja. Only after completing this ceremony, the staff took to their seats and after fiddling with the computers mumbling something about the servers being slow did they start the work for the day – more than 30 minutes after the official opening of the office. And the poor old gentleman was still waiting for his turn to perhaps buy a stamp …
A quick cut to another scenario. This was in a very large private sector company in the manufacturing sector. Preparations were made for Christmas celebrations at the plant and Xmas trees and decorations were put up at the factory. This was done after getting approval to conduct such events to usher in the festive season. But, the very next day the Christmas tree and all the other decorations were pulled out by some of the staff saying that this Company is not a Christian organization!
While, Govt. offices established to serve the public are getting away with blatant display of religious bigotry, a Christmas tradition followed by many big corporates in India even today was vigorously opposed by a small group of fanatics and their rights(?) promptly granted.
Coming back to the sub-registrar’s office, on the opposite wall, a former President’s portrait was strategically placed overlooking the portraits of the political figure and the display of religious fervour. This particular President was known for his utter simplicity and impeccable secular credentials – he must be rolling in his grave that he has been made a witness to these blatant attempts to tarnish India’s socialist, secular and democratic credentials.
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