There is no requirement of a specific religion, language, or slogan to be Indian: Professor Upavanand

Patna: On the occasion of the third anniversary of the death of former minister and renowned social worker Parvin Amanullah, prominent scholar and Professor Upendra Anand delivered a profound and thought-provoking lecture on the topic, “The Difficulty of Being Indian: What is the Meaning of Secularism in Democracy?” at Hotel Republic on Exhibition Road, Patna. He stated that today, attempts are being made to define Indianness through various metrics, which is a cause for concern for the country’s democratic and secular ethos.

Professor Upendra Anand said that 2019 proved to be a significant turning point in India’s political and social history. It was in this year that the Supreme Court delivered its verdict on the Babri Masjid and Ram Janm Bhoomi dispute. The court clarified in its judgment that the installation of idols inside the Babri Masjid in 1949 was illegal, and the demolition of the mosque in December 1992 was also a violation of law. The court further noted that there is no conclusive evidence that a temple was demolished to construct the mosque at that site. Nevertheless, a decision was made to provide land for the construction of the Ram Temple.

He added that during the same period, religion was introduced into the matter of citizenship through the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). This raises a critical question regarding the fundamental spirit of the Indian Constitution and the concept of secular democracy: can a citizen’s nationality be determined on the basis of their religion?

Professor Upendra Anand stated that incidents have also emerged regarding Bengali-speaking Muslims, where despite being Indian citizens, attempts were made to send them to detention centers or deport them to Bangladesh, while Bangladesh also refuses to recognize some of these individuals as its citizens. This situation raises serious questions about human rights and the fundamental concept of citizenship.

He said that the developments following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly regarding land purchases and marriage, also need to be understood in the context of the changing concept of Indian nationality. In some places, reciting Vande Mataram or specific national expressions is being presented as a benchmark of patriotism.

He emphasized that being Indian should not require adherence to a specific religion, language, dress code, slogan, or song. The true foundation of being Indian lies in the Constitution, equality, freedom, justice, and the equal rights of all citizens. He stated that India’s identity lies in its diversity, and democracy will remain strong only when every citizen is recognized as an equal Indian without discrimination.

Paying tribute to the services of Parvin Amanullah, the speakers noted that he dedicated his entire life to social justice, democratic values, women’s rights, and communal harmony. Discussing such topics on the occasion of his anniversary is, in itself, a tribute to his ideals and struggle.

Before the lecture began, Parvin Amanullah’s 90-year-old maternal uncle, former MLA Wasi Ahmad, shed light on his social life. Prior to that, his husband, former IAS officer Afzal Amanullah, inaugurated the program while welcoming the guests and speakers. Finally, Rahmat Amanullah moved the vote of thanks in an excellent manner.

The lecture was attended by Justice Khatim Raza of the Patna High Court, Justice Meher Jha, renowned surgeon Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hai, Farhat Hasan, Ihsan Ahmed (former IAS), Neer Hasnain Khan, ADJ, former MLAs Gajendra Shahi (also known as Mina Shahi) and Dr. Azhar Ahmed, former BPS C member Shah Nawaz Khan, Amir Afaq Ahmed Faizi, SM Parvez Alam, former Chairman of the Bihar Minority Commission Noshad Ahmed, Dr. Ghiasuddin Razi, Dr. Anwarul Huda, Dr. Faiz Ahmed Qadri, Fahim Ahmed, Tanveer Raza, Shahab Raza, Asadullah Khan, Rashid Raza Khan, Asfar Ahmed (Ward Councillor), Qais Ahmed, Dr. Ashraf Al-Nabi Qaiser, Shahzad Anwar Ansari, Shمیم Ansari, Mubin Al-Huda, Iftikhar Ahmed, Afaq Ahmed, Riyadh Ahmed, Sharq Bilal, Muhammad Azad, Fakhruddin, Professor Iqbal Shirazi, Arshad Ajmal, Ropesh, Afzal Hussain, Iqbal Imam, Syed Manwar Ashraf, Uzmat Amanullah, Areeb Yusuf Amanullah, and others.