Safety in secularism

Monday, 20 December 2021 01:10 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

This past weekend, a video went viral on social media of Colombo University students snubbing new Chancellor Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero at a graduation ceremony. The students were seen refusing to receive their degree certificates from the Thero in protest at his appointment to the role of Chancellor.

The protest has been lauded as just the right kind of civil disobedience against a move that many look at as an example of the increasing sectarianism taking place in the country. The fact that the appointment was made by the President himself – who saw it fit to appointment a known racist into the ‘One Country, One Law’ task force – only lends credence to that school of thought.

The problems therein with the make-up of the ‘One Country, One Law’ Presidential Task Force have already been covered in this column in the past, and so will not be dwelled on further here.

Then last week, there was widespread indignation over Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s request that alcohol not be sold during Christmas on account of it being a religious holiday.

On top of this, recent years have seen the exponential growth of pastors and ‘prophets’, claiming the ability to perform miracles and prophesise over the future – all of whom are merely modern-day charlatans and conmen, but ones due to their position in an increasing sectarian society are protected from further scrutiny.

The above are just some incidents in which it can be clearly seen that secularism, that essential cornerstone for democracy, of the country is being threatened on an all too regular basis.

And as seen by the recent tragedy involving Priyantha Kumara in Pakistan, sectarianism and religious fanaticism are as threatening as ever – and arguably more so in light of the helplessness many likely feel in the wake of the pandemic.

The most nefarious impact of sectarianism is that it breeds more sectarianism. Sri Lanka was never home to any radically religious elements for much of its history, yet the birth of one has now birthed several more. And each new offshoot only adds fuel to the already blazing fire – after nowhere in the world has extremism been quelled by further extremism.

Yet as can be seen by the heavy-handed approach by individuals such as the Archbishop, or the rise of the BBS in years gone by, when the State entertains fringe actors, their ideologies will eventually trickle into the mainstream.

A country which places importance on any one group over the other is destined to descend into chaos, therefore a Constitution which installs and defends secularism in Sri Lanka is the surest bet we have for levelling the playing field and containing religious extremism – though that seems an impossibility more than merely unlikely these days.

Faith holds a strong place in the hearts of many Sri Lankans. The religious bodies of this country have undoubtedly contributed to its wellbeing and prosperity. However, the use of religion to further political agendas has wrought nought but ruin.

For a prosperous and peaceful Sri Lanka, secularism is the need of the hour. And those in power in religious institutions should stay there, and not meddle in matters of governance or education.