This is a Konkani language book written in Kannada script. The style of language is of Gowda Saraswath Brahmans' speech. The subject Secularism is much talked about in India but discussing it in Konkani helps spread the information among a vast section of people who understand this language. It is not difficult to know what Secularism means but interpreting it as a substitute for a religion is grossly reactionary. Secularism is not refraining from owning a religious bend of mind. In fact it is easier to practice good habits if one is religious. Secularism is only a State policy in India. The government does not discriminate beneficiaries on the basis of their religion. Secularism is not about equality in matters other than religion. There are many areas where the government discriminates on the basis of language, region, financial status, caste, creed, etc. Reservation in educational institution and in government jobs is provided to certain scheduled castes and tribes in India, which amounts to discrimination. But this is defended as an affirmative action to correct the imbalances in capacity to learn or perform on the basis of ancestral backwardness. It is like inviting an aboriginal youth to join school free of tuition fees, or giving grace marks to a visually compromised candidate in a college examination. This book written in Konkani is supposed to help Konkani readers to grapple with the confusion prevailing in the public mind regarding application of the policies of secularism by the local authorities so that genuine religious fervour is not snatched away. Secularism does not envisage a socialistic society nor back up communism. It is a way of administration in which talks of God and Soul are kept aloof for another place at another time. I hope the Konkani readers will enjoy the book for its manner of approach to the subject by tracing history and politics.
