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On Thu, 2007-04-12 at 04:06 -0700, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
> Subject: Re: [Goanet] Secularists and non-secularists
> We should remember that being a secularist is an ideal
> that is enshrined in the Indian constitution. As I
> have said on many occasions here, India is a secular
> democratic republic.
The preamble to the Indian constitution says India is a sovereign
socialist secular democratic republic. I quote below the first few lines
from the preamble:
WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India
into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to
all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity;
and to promote among them all
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity
and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November,
1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS
CONSTITUTION.
I do not know if the order in which the points occur is indicative of
any hieracrchy :-), though obviously sovereignty would be above all
else. All the points are vital -- what the Supreme Court has called the
basic character of the constitution.
--
Question everything -- Karl Marx
