The Ebb and Flow of Secular Governance

In August 2020, after the Supreme Court of India delivered its verdict on the Ram Janmabhoomi case, a foundation-laying ceremony or a bhoomi pujan was organised for the Ram Mandir. This performative-cum-devotional gesture was perceived differently by different sections of the society. While some considered this to be detrimental towards the secular values of the Constitution, others seemed to be appreciative of this step.

The response in defence of this move claimed that the attendance of government officials in religious ceremonies should be understood as them exercising their constitutional right of “freedom of religion” in their individual capacity as citizens. This is largely a liberal understanding of rights and freedom that was resorted to by the government to paint the act in secular shades. Taking up this particular performative gesture as the reference for this discussion, we employ the lens of moral injury that is essential to the notion of minority empowerment in order to refute this response.