Re: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mukto-mona/message/46725
This thread is reminiscent of the various debates in mm at
various times on the meaning of secularism and its relation
to democracy and the confusion that many still have in that
regard. Let me proffer my clarification on this again.
Basically what Mr. Ahmad is saying (or arguing) is that religion
and language are both essential part of culture and identity and
thus if Bangla language can be state language then so can Islam a
state religion. There are few serious flaws in this thinking and
logic. First nobody is saying that the reason Bangla is a state
language is because Bangla is an important part of culture or
identity. Bangla is a state language because of practical reason.
One common language for official communication is essential for a
country. And it is natural that a common language be the most
widely used one. This makes sense to avoid unnecessary overhead.
All languages are important part of the culture or identity of
its native speakers. But it is impractical to use all for
official purposes in parallel. Also it is important to realize
that language is a medium of culture, not culture per se. Poems,
stories, songs etc are composed using a specific language,but it
is the theme, content and individual style of how language is
used to convey those theme and content in poems, song and stories
that define the culture. Not the language as the bare skeleton of
that cultural expression(alphabets, scripts,grammar etc). A tune
can be played on the piano, a violin or voice. But that does not
mean piano, violin or vocal cord is part of culture. Of course
Not mentioning a specific language as the official language does
not mean that its importance as a medium of cultural identity or
medium is denied. Cultural expression can flourish on its own, it
doesn't need official proclamation or status. Now on to religion.
In a secular democracy no religion can be given any special or
priviedged status over others by state, nor is it needed for any
practical reason, like language. Religion is not needed for
official notes and communiques. Religion is important part of
culture and identity for its adherents, true. But since there are
many religions, it is not consistent with secularism to single
out one religion for any special status. Nor is it needed for any
practical reason. Again that does not deny the importance of
relgion as part of culture or identity. Private organizations or
individuals can help to cause it to flourish. State can
optionally help in doing that through funds to all religious
groups, just as it can do the same for all language groups. Under
secular democracy, even in a monoreligious state a specific
religion should not be given any role in state matters. Of course
in a theocracy all this logic is irrelevant. Although mentioning
God in constituition or coins is inconsistent with strict
secularism, but on a general level it is still not naming any
specific religion for priviledged status, so its not a serious
breach of secular principles. Mr. Ahmad mentions "Devis" being
shown before a Hindi movie. I am not sure if that is true for all
movies without exception. But either way movie shows are private
endevours. They are not a state sponsored events. So it is not a
breach of secularism. I think it is unfortunet to mention Bangla
in the constitution as a "state language". State "something" usually
symbolizes a dignified status over others. Simply stating that
Bangla is the official language for communication in state matters
would have been preferable. That would only imply it as a practical
reason, and would not be construed as a language chauvisnism.
Hope my clarifications are adequate.
- Aparthib
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