Amid the secularism-communalism debate, Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir today pitched for maintaining secularism pointing out that few countries can boast of a person from a minority community who has attained the top post in the judiciary.
"I am a Muslim. I am presenting mementos to whom, the people of the country. This is the secularism we have, this is the understanding we have," he told a function here organised to recognise the services of armed forces and civilian groups in the rescue operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand.
Justice Kabir, who retires later this week, recalled a few patriotic songs and praised Indian secularism as the audience broke into thunderous applause.
"Very few countries can boast that a person, who does not belong to the majority community, had become the chief justice," he said.
"It is possible because we, irrespective of religions, are one. It's possible because we think alike. I do not for one understand who is a Hindu, who is a Muslim, who is a Christian, who is a Sikh," Kabir said.
He recalled lines of the famous Hindi patriotic song 'Hum Hindustani' to emphasise his message.
His comments assume significance as these came against the backdrop of controversy over remarks by Gujarat Chief Minister Modi that Congress was hiding behind the "burqa (veil worn by Muslim women) of secularism" in the crisis situations.
He praised the armed forces for their massive rescue operation in the hilly state and said they have always come to help in any disaster.
"Pilgrims in their lakhs went there to pray to god. They found their god in armed forces," he said speaking in a mix of English and Hindi to touch a chord with the audience largely comprising of ex-servicemen.
Kabir said he was from Kolkata and he shared some connection with the rescue as the helicopter, which had crashed due to inclement weather, had flown from his state and many officials who died were from squadron based there.
