hidden image

Hungry Kids, Divisive Politics: Is religion above the Constitution?

Varghese Alengaden Varghese Alengaden
28 Sep 2020

Governments in Pakistan and other Islamic countries are accused of being controlled by the fanatic religious leaders. It was the same situation in Europe where the nexus between religion and politics was known as ‘marriage between the Church and the State’. Whenever politics and religion were mixed the human rights were blatantly violated and the spiritual values were abandoned.  

People of India are not learning from the mistakes of the past. Despite having an ancient  heritage of  diversity where universal spiritual values  were practiced, the people of this ancient civilization are getting fooled by the corrupt  politicians and hypocritical  god-men of all religions. Many decisions  of the government  are against the foundational  values of the Constitution and they violate human rights. 

Proposal to give eggs to children in anganwadis was first suggested to MP Government of BJP in 2009 as part of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Child Health and Nutrition Mission to address the issue of malnutrition. The suggestion was carried out by the government  all these years . Jain Monks under the leadership of Acharya Vidyasagar objected to this practice and the Jain community has been opposing this practice. 

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chowhan succumbed to the pressure of the Jain community rejecting the demand of Imarti Devi, Women and Child Development minister, because of the by-elections for 28 constituencies which will decide the fate of his government. The government has decided to give milk to children instead of egg, only to satisfy the Jain monks and community. Has the government ever foreseen the possibility of adulteration in milk by businessmen and bureaucrats which can cause even death of children? 

Appreciating the decision of the government the Jain monk said, “Vegetarianism is the basic mantra of living in sync with nature and being non-violent”. Jain community representative Kamal Agrawal said, “We have been working to ensure that children are not tempted and forced to become non- vegetarian for a decade”.    

Imposing   practices and beliefs of one community on all others is violation of the Constitution. Aggressive and hostile ways of thinking, talking and acting   against any one is violence. Denying the rights and habits of others either by the state or by a powerful majority community is violence. It is violation of fundamental rights. 

Leaders and god-men of all faith need introspection and contemplation on their own spiritual values instead of holding on to the traditional practices and beliefs. Politicians violate the Constitution when they succumb to pressure of a community or god-men for vote –bank politics.

It is also important to find out how many children from Jain community go to Anganwadi centres. Since Jain community is rich, hardly any one of their children go to these centres for free meal. Children from the poor families mostly,  SC – ST communities benefit from this project  and they suffer from hunger and malnutrition.  
 
Imposing the food habits, culture, language, traditions of the majority community on others is against the spiritual values of the Constitution. When politicians and governments succumb to the pressure of a community and god-men they are violating the Constitution. In such situation Constitution of India becomes a decorative book just like the sacred books of all faith to be placed on the shelves. They become objects of worship and decoration.

In a land where walking naked is considered obscene and a violation of law, no one is objecting Jain Monks walking naked in public. Why should then, Muslim women be looked down upon wearing black burkas? 

Accepting, appreciating and promoting the differences in worship, food habits, music and dance is the pluralistic spirituality of India. This makes India unique in the world. 

Recent Posts

We, the members of the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA), met for the 31st National Convention of Christian Journalists on 19-20 September 2026 at Paalanaa Bhavana, Benson Town, Bengaluru.
apicture ICPA
19 Oct 2026
It was a friend in Houston, Texas, who first alerted me to the news that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 had gone to Navi Pillay, a South African jurist of Indian origin. He also sent me her photograph
apicture A. J. Philip
19 Oct 2026
The controversy over SIR and alleged voter deletions demands a united democratic resistance. Rahul Gandhi's efforts to bring opposition parties, civil society and student activists together are signif
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
19 Oct 2026
On September 18, 2025, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called a press conference in New Delhi and accused the Election Commission of India of facilitating what he called "vote c
apicture John Dayal
19 Oct 2026
Delhi was turned into a fortress to silence peaceful protesters demanding accountability. The State treated its own youth as enemies. No barricade can suppress dissent; the Supreme Court must now rise
apicture G Ramachandram
19 Oct 2026
Public office is a trust, not a family inheritance or a shield against scrutiny. Accountability must prevail over rank and lineage. No official should stand above the law or escape public scrutiny.
apicture Jijo Thomas Placheril
19 Oct 2026
Let affected families receive protection they can actually depend upon. Then let us also find the courage to support a necessary project that serves everybody.
apicture Robert Clements
19 Oct 2026
A question echoing across many platforms and conversations is this: Where are the Catholics in India these days as the nation goes through a crucial phase in its chequered history?
apicture Stanislaus Alla
12 Oct 2026
Dear fellow Indians, friends of India, and all well-wishers: Not often does one get to witness history being written. Before our eyes, we see history happen in the very NOW. We read in history book
apicture Stanislaus Alla
12 Oct 2026
A fundamental distinction must be maintained between carefully examining a case's facts and rejecting an institution's application on that basis, and making sweeping generalisations about an entire re
apicture Adv. Rev. Dr George Thekkekara
12 Oct 2026