Secularism vs Development - Which one would you choose?

Secularism vs Development – Which one would you choose?


Secularism and Development are the two important ports of growth in a country. While some parties try to woes their voters on the basis of secularism others promise to pave away to over all development. Which of the two is more important for us as nation?

Secularism is more important

• Secularism maintains overall peace in the society which further paves the way to development. In lack of it, different communities would keep clashing and the government won’t be able to devote any time to chalk out the development plans.
• Secularism offers equal opportunities to all the communities of the society which ensures overall development.
• Lack of secularism would mean that the upper class communities would keep taking advantage of lower classes, never giving them a chance to grow and lead a respectful life.
• India has seen a lot of technological, infrastructural and economic development in last 6-7 decades while secularism being its main policy.

Development is the key

• The parties claiming to be secular try to woe the minority voters through their special schemes and promises to gain their votes. They are not really interested in the upliftment of any class. Getting them to the power means endangering both secularism as well as development.
• Getting some one focussing on development to power will ensure that the basic necessities of all the communities are met and they are able to lead their life in a more satisfied and dignified way. A well fed stomach and a mind busy with creative thinking are expected to cause less communal problems. On the other hand, if you create a secular environment but there aren’t sufficient growth opportunities for people and their stomachs are empty, they are bound to fight.

Secularism and development both are equally important for a well balanced society. It would make sense for secular parties to become a bit growth oriented and development focussed parties to become a bit secular for the overall development. It is not really wise to chose one over the other.
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    Discussion

  • RE: Secularism vs Development – Which one would you choose? -Rajani Sharma (12/14/13)
  • For:

    - India is a secular state as stated by written constitution of India and it is everyone's duty to abide and believe in it. Secularism was the most dominant principle during the freedom struggle and many great leaders from Mahatma Gandhi to Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to Nehru were committed for the same.
    - Secularism was the mantra followed by the Indian nation, which was exhausted by partition and sectarian riots.
    - The roots point to secularism which doesn't allow any injustice to be done with any religion and any person, it was famous during independence and became a notion even after post independence.
    - Focus of secularism is to provide priority to equity and redistribution of growth in the form of jobs, education,
    - Secularism will allow the people of India to have more productive approach towards a particular problem and issue. This will help in resolving lots of issues related to social welfare and help poor people to grow as well in terms of monetary. This overall process will lead to more inclusive growth.

    Against:

    - Secularism takes time and it is a very slow process which has been felt post independence where the social dynamics were very complex.
    - Lots of challenges has occurred which didn't allow India to become secular and brought development in the picture. Direct approach to the growth needs to be implemented to increase the pace.
    - Fast paced development will bring power, roads and ports, more investment and opportunities to many people.
    - Secularism is now getting no more public attention and people wants the overall system to speed up and have a boost so that the country can have exponential growth.
    - Development is very necessary then secularism due to the lack of resources to run the political system, responsible staff of people who can train and guide the young generation to follow up their values.
    - Development will help to increase the revenue as well as the overall growth of the system that has been running on secularism under the rules of congress.