Thiruvananthapuram: Speaking at 24th Sree Chithira Thirunnal Memorial Lecture in Thiruvananthapuram Vice President Venkaiah Naidu stressed on the importance of secularism while not forgetting one's tradition and culture. He further said we cannot call ourselves a civilised society if we discriminate people on the basis of caste.
He also said that patriotism does not mean garlanding Bharat Mata’s photo. "Patriotism means loving every person, every human being and that has to be understood by one and all. When we say Bharat Mata ki jai, it means jai to every section of the people. This has to be very clear," Venkaiah Naidu said.
"Closing the temple to any community is totally wrong, against the dharma, culture, traditions of this great nation, it has no sanction in Upanishads or relevant books of that time. Unfortunately, the middlemen have brought in these barriers and they must go. We cannot be called an ideal nation, egalitarian or civilised society if we discriminate people on the basis of caste. This is my firm conviction. Religion is a way of worship but we should also feel proud of our culture," the Vice President said.
He lauded the Kerala government’s decision of allowing people from any caste who are trained to work as priests. "Just now state minister Jaleel was telling me that the government had brought out an order that irrespective of caste whoever is trained can become priest. A person who knows the systems and customs and the importance of the particular religion can be a priest. Unfortunately what is happening in our country, is that these difference are still existing. Some politicians think this is the best way of garnering support. We should not get into this. Politics should not get into religion and religion should not get into politics. People have to be elected on the basis of 4 Cs that is character, calibre, capacity and conduct. But unfortunately, some of the political trends of India are led by 3 Cs of caste, community and cash. This is an unfortunate situation prevailing in some parts of the country."
He added "From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, irrespective of caste, creed, religion we are one country. We should worry about Kashmir, Kanyakumari. Everybody should be worried about his own country.
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