In the final lap of the Lok Sabha election campaigns, many contenders and commentators are claiming that voters have to choose between growth and secularism.
This is a false contest. Why then, does the idea of a stark ‘choice’ between economic growth and secularism appear so compelling to a wide range of people?
Firstly, the idea of growth and its mechanics are not closely examined.
Secondly, it is automatically assumed that a decisive and forceful Prime Minister will work an economic miracle.
Thirdly, that it is therefore worthwhile to compromise on secularism, which many view as a sham in any case.
To further complicate the matter, growth is seen as something tangible, while secularism is treated as a vague notion, or worse a political ploy, cynically deployed by both the BJP and Congress.
How then might voters resolve their polling day dilemma?
First and foremost, it is vital to be clear that the dialectics of Growth vs. Secularism is sheer sophistry. What is actually at stake is the core principle of a truly democratic polity – namely, the primacy of foundational principles and values over the mechanics of how goods, services and livelihoods are generated.
That is why Mahatma Gandhi had repeatedly emphasized that true swaraj depends on each person, and society as a whole, honouring ‘dharma’. By dharma, Gandhi did not mean a particular religion or sect, but the philosophical and moral markers which show us the path of righteousness – the basis of a society worth living in.
If that sounds too lofty we can just focus on the key markers of rightful action conduct as enshrined in the Fundamental Rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Article 15_(1) makes it incumbent on the State to be religion-neutral. It prohibits the State from discriminating against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
More importantly, section two of the same article implies that citizens cannot deny each other access to public spaces on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
In its most elementary form, that is what secularism means.
This textbook truth needs to be highlighted, because over the past three decades secularism has come to be seen as a political ploy. Political parties of various hues have, from time to time, failed to be ‘dharmanirpeksha’ or religion- neutral. In many instances citizens have also rejected and violated the canon of creative co-existence of different faiths, or ‘sarva dharma sambhav’.
These inadequacies or failures do not undermine the soundness of the principle and the need to keep striving for a secular polity.
But is is being suggested that India is now in such economic distress, that as an emergency measure, economic imperatives must be given priority over foundational principles of society.
Since the late 1980s it has been widely acknowledged that GNP growth by itself is not a valid measure of a nation’s material or social well being. An economy can grow exponentially with vast concentrations of power, which may increase jobs but actually disempower the overwhelming majority, because a handful of people call the shots in both the economic and political sphere.
The worthwhile goal is economic democracy, not growth per se. At the very least, that means fair and open access to social infrastructure and productive resources. But above all, it is about the promise of dignity for all – the promise enshrined in Article 15.
Thus, growth is important only if it is defined and measured not just in terms of monetised goods and services, but also environmental and social sustainability.
Complicated structural flaws are preventing Indian society and economy from achieving the Gandhian goal of ‘sarvodaya’ , — well-being for all. We need to be wary of tall claims that a decisive leader alone can provide a quick fix.
Elections don’t offer easy choices. Many voters may find that there is no candidate they can quite trust. But here is a litmus test for choosing between competing imperfections.
Reject any candidate or party that gives primacy to expediency over foundational principles – such as asking you to put growth above secularism.
Instead, let us go to the polling stations with the conviction that we can build sustained prosperity only on the basis of respect and dignity for all, regardless of caste, religion, language or regional affinity.
Rajni Bakshi is the Gandhi Peace Fellow at Gateway House: Indian Council on Global Relations.
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