The perception that uniform civil code will necessitate changes only in the Muslim personal law is quite incorrect as Hindu, Muslim, Christian and other personal laws too will have to change, he added. Prof. Habib also batted for mainstream public education for Muslims. Pointing out that minority institutions are not religious institutions, he said: “They must remain secular as the principle applies to every citizen and all institutions.” On what Muslims need, he said: “Muslims are normal people. Give them normal, mainstream education and not madrassa education. In a secular State, there is no doubt every citizen should study in a secular school.” Former Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Prabhat Patnaik, who was moderating the session on historical perspective on secularism, said the struggle for secularism cannot be compartmentalised. The movement against the corporate financial elite is a part of the struggle for secularism, he added. Ms. Setalvad said the Indian state prefers not to engage with the democratic tendencies within the minority groups as it would endanger its hegemony. Dealing with parochial groups, like clergy, serves its larger purpose of perpetuation of stereotypes.
Posted on: Sun, 29 Sep 2013 08:28:04 +0000
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