The Joys of Living in "Secular India"

Some of you must have already read the "news" about the government officer in Bihar who faces suspension for coming to work with a "tilak" on his forehead.

According to one report, Special Secretary (Agriculure), Shri CK Anil "asked deputy director Lakshman Mishra not to wear 'tilak' on his forehead during office hours and threatened to suspend him."

Other reports are here and here.  

Now, by most accounts, Shri Anil appears to be a fine officer who has a reputation for firmness and no-nonsense behaviour . A report from The Tribune mentions how he has taken on powerful leaders before:

"The news of the abrupt transfers of the Collectors of Siwan and Gopalganj in Bihar, even when the conference was examining the problem, came as a bolt from the blue. Mr C.K. Anil (Siwan) and Mr K.K. Pathak (Gopalganj) are known for their high integrity and character. As they were taking on powerful leaders like Syed Shahabuddin and Sadhu Yadav, Governor Buta Singh clipped their wings, apparently under pressure from Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav."

This time however he chose a mid-ranking government employee - it is exactly not clear why.

I find it hard to believe that the suspension order was purely because of the "tilak". 

But if it was, Shri Anil has a LOT of explaining to do - hiding from the media is unlikely to make that go away.

While there are instances of "secular countries" prohibiting wearing of religious symbols (see e.g. the controversy around British Airways "ban" on wearing a cross  and the French law that bans head scarfs in schools), a "tilak" is not exactly a headscarf and is less conspicuous than many other symbols of religious identity. It also has rich symbolism as most Hindus would know.

And India is neither Britain nor France.

This is the first time in recent years that I recall something like this has happened in India - as most of you no doubt know, "Turban wearing Sikhs are exempted from using a helmet" and India's "secularism" is of a different nature.

So is this an example of what Mark Tully memorably called "Secular Fundamentalism"?

It will be interesting to see how the drama unfolds. My guess is that the suspension order (if it has been issued) will either be revoked or never implemented (or it might be superseded by orders from the Chief Secretary.

I wonder what comes next. No Sikhs allowed in government offices with turbans?

Watch this space...and long live secularism!

P.S. Some of you might find this TIME debate interesting: "Should France Ban Head Scarves?" 

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UPDATE: The recommendation for suspension has just been rejected by the Bihar Government.
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