Kerala CM expresses concerns on thinning separation of religion and state

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan voiced his disapproval of the Pran Prathishta ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya being conducted as a State event.

Speaking in a video message on social media after the consecration ceremony, Vijayan highlighted concerns about the diminishing line between religion and the State.

Vijayan, whose party was the first to decline participation in the event, said, "We had a strong tradition of maintaining separation between religion and the State. But that line demarcating religion and the State seems to be getting thinner." He emphasised the need for upholding constitutional responsibilities and preserving the secular character of the Indian Constitution.

"Now, it has come to a point in time when the inauguration of a religious place of worship is being celebrated as a State event. Most of us have been invited to participate in the rituals. As those who pledged to preserve and protect our Constitution, let us reaffirm our commitment to its secular character by declining to participate in the event and upholding our constitutional responsibilities," he said.

The Chief Minister addressed the constitutional obligation to ensure the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion for every individual while maintaining equality among religions. He quoted India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, on the essence of Indian secularism being the separation of religion and the state.

"Religion is a private affair and the Indian Constitution has minced no words in stating that all persons are equally entitled to the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. As those who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of India, we ought to ensure that every person within our territories enjoys this right in equal measure," he added.

"At the same time, we cannot be promoting one religion above all others, or demean one religion beneath every other. As our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had often opined, Indian secularism means separation of religion and state… This is a major departure from the times when our constitutional office-bearers have been cautious from taking part in religious events as it would cast aspersions on our credentials as a secular state," he further said.

Vijayan asserted that secularism is integral to the democratic republic of India's soul and has been part of the nation's identity since the days of the freedom struggle. He urged individuals to decline participation in the event to uphold the principles of the Constitution.

"It has been part of our identity as a nation right from the days of our national movement. Those who belonged to different faiths and those who were not part of religion had taken an active part in the freedom struggle. This nation belongs to all people and all sections of Indian society in equal measure," highlighted the chief minister.

The CPI(M) had previously rejected the invitation to attend the consecration ceremony, with party leaders criticising the event's politicisation of religious beliefs, contrary to constitutional principles. Party general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Politburo member Brinda Karat expressed concerns about the BJP and RSS converting a religious ceremony into a state-sponsored event.

"As far as the Indian Constitution and the Supreme Court are concerned, they have very clearly said that the state shall not profess any particular religion or have any religious affiliation. What is happening in this inauguration ceremony is that it has been converted into a State-sponsored event with the Prime Minister, UP CM, and others holding constitutional positions," said Yechury last month.

Echoing a similar opinion, Karat said: "We respect the religious beliefs but they are connecting a religious programme with politics… This is the politicisation of a religious programme. This is not right."

While the Congress also announced its top leaders would not attend the ceremony, the Siddaramaiah government, led by the Congress in Karnataka, marked the occasion without declaring a holiday for the day.