Dear Friends,
The uniqueness and philosophy of secularism in India is outstanding because of the gory history India has seen. India is not about only one religion as it has been ruled by several religions from time to time, and hence after 1947, it is not of any one religion. Please appreciate this fact.
At the time of independence when the idea of partition came based on religion only, it was very important to show the world that India is a secular, democratic country. India adopted policies favorable for minorities. What is wrong with this? Are we at a loss today? The Sachar Committee is proof that we have still not been successful in uplifting the minority.
We young people should forget all animosities based on religion and look forward to building modern India. An India without poverty, illiteracy, with a scientific temper, and we should not keep dragging issues that are nowhere related to uplifting the common man.
As far as Muslim Law is concerned, it is a very modern law. The idea of only having 4 marriages, that too with conditions, was developed by Islam. The idea of monogamy in Hindu law only came in 1955; prior to that, a Hindu could have as many marriages as he wished.
Muslim law has had provisions for female rights in fathers' property since inception, but Hindu law only acknowledged it in 2005.
So, who modernizes first is anybody's guess.
What I believe is that religion is a curse on humanity if we all try to demean each other's religion.