Every citizen of India enjoys The fundamental Right of freedom of religion and the Prime Minister of India as a citizen is no exception. But the Prime Minister cannot be a brand ambassador to his religion or help in spreading it.
This discussion has cropped up due to our Prime Minister’s visit to the inauguration of Ram Temple at Ayodhya. Since, India follows a parliamentary type of government in which the Prime Minister is the presiding head of the government and chief of the executive of the government. Hence, the Prime Minister is commensurate with the government.
According to the constitution, the government of India has no religion, the government of India celebrates all religions. India is one of the largest secular nations in the World.
The Prime Minister also has freedom of religion as any other Indian citizen has freedom of religion. He can definitely attend this function in his individual capacity. The Prime Minister cannot represent any religion or attend any religious inauguration.
The dilemma here is that the Constitution clearly says that secularism is a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, but the Prime Minister has been invited to inaugurate the Ram temple at Ayodhya. The Prime Minister cannot represent any religion or attend any religious inauguration.
In one of the most important and anticipated judgments in India’s history, The Supreme Court had in a unanimous verdict last year cleared the way for the construction of a Ram Temple at the disputed site in Ayodhya, and directed the Centre to allot a 5-acre plot to the Sunni Waqf Board for building a mosque.
According to members of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit Ayodhya on August 5 for the Bhoomi Pujan (ground breaking ceremony) to begin the construction of the Ram temple.
Modi’s possible attendance to the Bhoomi Pujan ceremony of the Ram temple at Ayodhya would mean a violation of his constitutional oath. Hence, it is unconstitutional for Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi should not attend this event as the Prime Minister of this country.
As Secularism is part of the Basic Structure of Constitution, and also against the “accepted norms of national integrity”. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s possible attendance to Bhoomi Pujan, would clearly be the violation of the constitutional oath” taken by him when assuming office.
If he feels that the country is above his religion and sentiments then the Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi should not attend this event as the Prime Minister of this country. Personally, as a citizen he can attend, just as a layman, without any publicity, security or coverage.
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