For thousands of years, Sanatanis have believed that Sri Rama is the embodiment of Dharma. He is the very personification of Dharma. Traditional commentaries on the Ramayana have highlighted this fact repeatedly by explaining how every word he uttered and every action he undertook was fully within the realm of Dharma. Be it him giving... Continue Reading →
Religion: A Fundamental Right or Right Only to The Fundamentals?
The Judiciary in India has yet again engaged in their assumed duty - in the matter of religious freedom - of curtailing practices. The ancient and uninterrupted practice of Pashubali or sacrifice of animals in the temples of Tripura has now been banned. This decision has been based on the principle of 'Essential Practices Test'... Continue Reading →
Fundamental Rights – As Recommended By The Sapru Committee
Over the course of several articles, we have seen how the makers of our Constitution never intended the Fundamental Rights related to practice of religion and administration of educational institutions to be discriminatory in nature i.e. they were never meant to be anti-majority. We have especially seen how the minority leaders themselves, during the Second... Continue Reading →
The ‘Essential Practices’ of Hinduism
The recent Sabarimala judgment by the Supreme Court of India has once again thrown open the debate about ‘essential’ practices of a religion. The honourable judges have declared, yet again, that any practice that is not ‘essential’ to the religion shall be open to reinterpretation — by the non-religious, secular institution called judiciary! The honourable judges say... Continue Reading →
An Analysis of the Lingayat Demand for Minority Religion Status
Link to my article, published by the kind folks at MyInd, on the recent controversy in Karnataka with the Lingayat community demanding a separate minority religion tag from the Government of India. Why are the Lingayats in Karnataka demanding a ‘minority religion’ status? Also read this excellent analysis by RealityCheckIndia on the same issue. Lingayat... Continue Reading →
Pranasutra 