Secularism ensures equal treatment to all citizens; one group cannot be more privileged than another. A secular state provides each individual the freedom to practice, choose and change his or her religion. You and I will have no fewer shrines to visit. Though it is not inscribed in the law, secularism had already been partly embodied in our country. This is proven by the fact that the people have been living together amiably for decades in harmony with a diverse religious structure. Nevertheless, this can be further strengthened through the constitution to the extent that regardless of religious belief, people will be treated equally before the law. It ensures that the state will not interfere in the religious affairs of the people, and religion will have no space to interfere in the state’s affairs.

All the hospitals, the police force and local authorities should be secular. The services provided by these agencies should not be denied on the ground of religious (or non-religious) beliefs. All publically funded schools should be neutral in religious matters and not promote any faith. Children should be educated regardless of their parents’ religion.

Having said that, it should be well understood that secularism does not imply the imposition of atheism. Atheism is lack of faith in gods. An atheist has apparent reasons to support secularism — it provides the right to abstain from following any religious faith. However, secularism does not challenge the principles, tenets and beliefs of any religion. It only provides a guideline and framework to ensure equality in education, politics and law throughout society.

I am a born Hindu and my father is a priest. Sad to say, I find discrimination firmly attached in Hinduism. All of my family members do not drink water if given by a person belonging to a so-called lower caste. Their belief is that it is a sin to drink such water, and the gods will be angry. Even worse, my parents do not allow some of my Christian friends to go near temples. They chide or mock my friends even when they come to visit me. Such discriminatory demeanour is more pervasive in the dogmatic Hindu community. They want me to believe in a religion in which I have utterly no faith.

Imagine people waiting in line according to their religion to receive public services. Last year, when I went to get my passport at the Inaruwa District Administration Office, I was called last just because I was a Brahmin. They said that the passports had been queued according to caste. The same can happen when receiving public services if the state shows a preference towards a particular religion. It is an injustice when anyone is compelled to use public facilities as per his or her faith. This urgency makes secularism imperative. We are envisioning a society of equality. Therefore, it is my belief that secularism will not only ensure religious freedom but also take us one step further in achieving and protecting human rights.