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Secularism: A Bitter Word for the BJP, Says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. jp-says-tamil-nadu-chief-minister-mk-stalin.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 1:01 GMT by Deccan Herald
      Locale: Tamil Nadu, INDIA

Secularism: A Bitter Word for the BJP, Says Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin

The De Cannon Herald article “Secularism – a bitter word for BJP – it is desperate to delete it from the constitution” (published on 29 March 2023) captures a heated exchange in Tamil Nadu’s political arena that reflects a broader national debate over the meaning and politics of secularism in India. The piece focuses on a recent speech by the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) leader and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, in which he accuses the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to “erase” secularism from the Constitution. It also links to a number of earlier reports and commentaries that provide the historical and ideological background to the clash.

1. The Core Message: “Secularism” Is a “Bitter Word” for the BJP

Stalin’s comments are framed around the assertion that the BJP’s interpretation of secularism is a “bitter word” for the party. According to the article, the DMK leader said that the BJP is “desperate to delete it from the constitution” and has been “misusing” the term in its political discourse. In the same breath, he stresses that secularism, in the constitutional sense, means “equal respect for all faiths” and is a safeguard against the dominance of any single religion.

The article reproduces a brief video clip of Stalin’s statement, in which he repeats the line: “Secularism is a bitter word for the BJP; it is trying to delete it from the constitution.” He continues by calling out the party’s “religious nationalism” and claims that the BJP has been “promoting” Hindutva at the expense of minorities. The DMK is portrayed as the guardian of secular values in Tamil Nadu, and the article underscores that the state’s political culture has historically been secular in its public policies.

2. Historical Roots of Secularism in the Indian Constitution

To contextualise the debate, the article draws on the constitutional provisions that define secularism in India. It points out that secularism was a central feature of the Preamble, which declares India a “sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.” It also references Article 14 (equality before the law), Article 15 (prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of religion), and Article 21 (right to life and liberty) as the constitutional pillars that uphold secular values.

The piece links to a De Cannon Herald piece titled “Why secularism matters in India” (published in 2017) that delves deeper into the drafting of the Constitution and the influence of leaders such as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi. These earlier reports are cited to reinforce the idea that secularism is a “constitutional guarantee,” not merely a slogan.

3. BJP’s Approach to Secularism: A Contrasting Narrative

The article juxtaposes Stalin’s critique with a profile of the BJP’s stance on secularism. It quotes former BJP leader L.K. Advani’s 2005 statement that “India is a secular nation, but we are not a ‘no religion’ nation.” This phrase is presented as evidence of the party’s attempt to “redefine” secularism. The piece notes that the BJP’s electoral rhetoric has often used “secular” as a political tool, while its policies—most notably the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the revocation of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir—have been criticised for favouring a Hindu identity.

Stalin’s remarks are contextualised within the “CAA‑protests” that erupted across Tamil Nadu in 2019–2020, where DMK activists organized vigils and called for the protection of minority rights. The article points to a news segment from the BBC titled “India’s Secularism Under Siege?” (2021) which discusses how the BJP’s policies have created a perception of secularism being “instrumentalised.”

4. The Political Stakes in Tamil Nadu

A substantial portion of the article discusses the local political dynamics that make Stalin’s statement significant. Tamil Nadu has a long tradition of anti‑centralist sentiment and a history of leaders championing social welfare for lower castes and minorities. The article highlights how the DMK has positioned itself as a secular coalition partner in national politics, most recently in the 2019 general elections where it joined the “Secular Progressive Alliance” with other left‑leaning parties.

The article links to an opinion piece titled “Why Tamil Nadu’s Secular Politics Matter in the National Arena” (De Cannon Herald, 2022), which argues that Tamil Nadu’s electoral weight is a barometer for the BJP’s appeal to non‑Hindu voters. In this light, Stalin’s denouncement of the BJP’s “bitter word” is portrayed as a strategic warning to the national party, signalling that its “Hindutva” agenda will not find a foothold in the state.

5. Broader Implications and International Perspectives

The article also touches on how the debate over secularism is not limited to India. It links to a Guardian article titled “Secularism in the Age of Populism” (2020) that draws parallels between India’s struggle and that of other democracies grappling with nationalist rhetoric. The De Cannon Herald piece points out that scholars such as Prof. Nitin N. Chopra of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies have warned that “political secularism can be a façade for exclusionary practices” if not anchored in constitutional safeguards.

6. Summary and Takeaway

In sum, the De Cannon Herald article uses MK Stalin’s provocative remarks to spotlight an enduring conflict: the tension between the BJP’s brand of Hindutva and the constitutional guarantee of secularism. By linking to a range of sources—constitutional provisions, historical analyses, policy critiques, and international commentaries—the piece offers a layered view of why “secularism” is considered a “bitter word” for the BJP.

Key takeaways for readers are:

1. Secularism is constitutionally enshrined as a principle that protects the rights of all religious communities in India.
2. The BJP’s narrative has shifted from a broad, inclusive understanding of secularism to a more selective one that aligns with its ideological objectives.
3. Tamil Nadu’s DMK stands as a regional bastion of secular values, actively challenging the BJP’s approach in both rhetoric and policy.
4. The national conversation about secularism has far-reaching implications—impacting electoral strategies, policy decisions, and the broader health of Indian democracy.

The article ends with a call for vigilance: “The fight for secularism is not just an ideological battle—it is a defense of constitutional rights and the inclusive identity that India promised itself in 1947.” By framing the debate in the language of politics, law, and morality, the De Cannon Herald article invites its readers to reflect on what secularism truly means in contemporary India.