India is one of the top countries in the world where people of different religions live in good harmony. This fraternity emerged as part of centuries of peaceful coexistence. India is not a country based on a particular religion. We have a constitution that provides equal justice and rights to people belonging to all religions. So no matter who tries to create communal divisions in the name of religion, it is against the principles of the constitution that guides the country forward. No matter which party they belong to, once they become Prime Minister, Chief Minister etc., they represent all the people regardless of religion. Statements and actions from them that differ from that way will adversely affect the cohesion of our social fabric.

Politics is not necessary for religions in India. There are religious sects here that exist without any politics. At the same time, all dominant political parties need the help of religions to win elections. Therefore, political parties create events to create division among different religious groups. Emotive issues created by political parties among religious groups who are friendly without any other problems can often lead to communal conflicts and even riots. This is the problem of too much mixing of politics with religion. This is not a practice that will ever be accepted by the general public. Such actions should be strongly opposed no matter who did it.

A recent order passed in BJP-ruled UP and Uttarakhand does not conform to the secular view of the Constitution. It is an order that the names of the shopkeepers should be displayed in the eateries on the way through which the Kanwar pilgrims pass. This order was first issued by the police department. Later, the respective state governments came forward with this order. The proposal brought by the Muzaffar Nagar police was withdrawn after it was alleged that it was discriminatory and would lead to communal tension. However, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath came after the police with a similar order. Following this, Uttarakhand also issued the same order.

It is suggested that not only restaurants but also roadside eateries should display the names of the owners. A UP minister had earlier asked Muslim shops not to be named after Hindu gods. In India, it is the owner's right to name an establishment. Owners also have the right to give names that do not sound like it has a connection to any religion. Questioning all this is tantamount to questioning the Constitution and the legal system. Therefore, both governments should be ready to withdraw this order immediately. If they are not ready for that, the Prime Minister himself should intervene in this problem and find a solution that upholds democracy and secularism. Such vices should be nipped in the bud. If not, it will become a future threat to democracy itself.