Introduction

• Prof. Akeel Bilgrami, a distinguished professor from Columbia University, delivered a lecture at Madras Christian College in Tambaram.
• His talk, titled ‘Gandhi in his time and ours: Reflections on Secularism and Multiculturalism’, explored the nuances of secularism in India and Europe.

Prof Bilgrami on Secularism

He emphasized on three commitments primarily on which Secularism is based:

1. Freedom of Religion: The first commitment emphasizes the freedom of religious belief and practice.
2. Constitutional Principles: The second commitment involves principles unrelated to religion, such as equality and freedom of speech, enshrined in the constitution.
3. Meta-Commitment: The third commitment dictates that in case of a clash between the first two, the constitutional principles must take precedence.

Gandhi’s Perspective on Secularism

• European Context: Gandhi viewed secularism as a doctrine to address the damage caused by religious majoritarianism in Europe.
• Irrelevance to India: He believed that the issues secularism aimed to address in Europe were not present in India, making it irrelevant in the Indian context.
• Nationalism and Anti-Imperialism: For Gandhi, nationalism was synonymous with anti-imperialism and inherently inclusive, contrasting with European forms of nationalism.

Distinguishing Secularisation from Secularism

• Secularisation: Prof. Bilgrami described secularisation as a social process involving the loss of religious belief and changes in religious practices.
• Secularism: In contrast, secularism is a political doctrine advocating for the separation of religion from politics.

Rejecting the Notion of ‘Indian’ Secularism

• Misconception: Prof. Bilgrami dismissed the popular notion that ‘Indian’ secularism is about the acceptance of all religions.
• Pluralism vs. Secularism: He clarified that the acceptance of all religions is more accurately described as pluralism, not secularism.

Conclusion

• Deeper Understanding: Prof. Bilgrami’s lecture provided a deeper understanding of secularism and its application in different contexts.
• Relevance to Contemporary India: His insights are particularly relevant in contemporary India, where secularism and multiculturalism continue to be subjects of intense debate and discussion.
• Future Discourse: The lecture sets the stage for further discourse on how secularism should be interpreted and implemented in India’s diverse and multi-religious society.

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