We claim to be a democracy and a secular nation. The recent brouhaha over Jinnah has renewed the debate. So let us settle the question once and for all. Let’s start with secularism. Who was more secular during the Khilafat movement — Gandhi or Jinnah? Was the Mahatma not responsible for giving the Muslims in India an extra-territorial identity which persists in many till today? Who was more secular — Jinnah in 1947-48, Rajiv Gandhi in 1984 or Modi in 2002?
Who was more democratic — Gandhi when he was virtually appointing every Congress President from 1938 onwards or Jinnah? Remember how Bose was removed because Gandhi wanted Maulana Azad? Later, even after Bose had won, Azad refused to stand for elections and Sitarammiah instead contested and lost — Gandhi forced the entire CWC to resign on this issue. Who was more democratic — Jinnah in 1947 or Indira Gandhi in 1975-77?
T R Ramaswami, via e mail