We can't promote one religion above all others, says Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on the eve of Ram Mandir inauguration

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed strong disapproval of the state's involvement in the consecration of the Ram Temple at Ayodhya, emphasizing that the line between religion and state is appearing to diminish. Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the temple, Vijayan conveyed his concerns, stating that celebrating the inauguration of a religious place of worship as a state event marks a significant shift.

In a message, Vijayan remarked, "This is a major departure from the times when our constitutional office bearers have been cautioned from taking part in religious events, as it would cast aspersions on our credentials as a secular state."

He highlighted the historical perspective, noting that India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, often emphasized the separation of religion and state as a crucial aspect of Indian secularism. Vijayan expressed concern about the thinning line between religion and state in recent times.



"Therefore, those who have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of India have to ensure that every person in the country enjoys the right to profess their religion in equal measure," he insisted.

"At the same time, we cannot be promoting one religion above all others, or demean one religion beneath every other," he added.

Vijayan, a Marxist veteran, underlined the significance of secularism as the soul of India's democratic republic, tracing its roots back to the national movement. He emphasized that the nation belongs to all sections of Indian society, irrespective of faith or the absence thereof.

Asserting the private nature of religion, Vijayan pointed to the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of conscience and the freedom to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion for all individuals. He urged everyone to foster harmony and a sense of common brotherhood transcending religious, linguistic, and regional differences.

"May India prosper further by developing scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform," concluded the Chief Minister.