Freedom of non-religion

At a time when religious identities is a much talked-about topic, Hyderabad-based D.V. Rama Krishna Rao, is fighting for the rights of another, large section of the public — those who don’t identify with any religion or caste.

Rama Krishna filed a public interest litigation with the Telangana High Court in January this year, and last week started a Change.org petition to gain public support, for this: For government authorised educational certification, such as the Secondary School Certificate (SSC), to allow students to be given the option of ‘non-religious’ and ‘no caste’ while listing their religion.

“There are many philosophies that people align with, and there are many who haven’t followed religious practices in their entire lives. But they’re not given an option to claim that they’re non-religious. In the census too, the only option given is ‘Religion: Not stated’. And in schools, that option is not there — for my daughter’s tenth standard application online, under religion, six religions were listed and the seventh option was ‘others’,” says Rama Krishna, who works with the Telangana agricultural commissionerate.

He adds, “That means that on paper, there’s no one who doesn’t follow a religion. I want to be recognised as someone who doesn’t follow a religion, but I’m being forced to say that I’m from a particular religion.”

Rama Krishna also informs that the Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and even Central governments have been sent notices with regard to his PIL. Many others, too, agree that the fact that those who don’t identify with a religion cannot be officially recognised by the State, needs to be changed.

Suheim Sheikh, president of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad, says, “It’s not the business of the State, especially in times like this, to know what the religion or caste of a person is. In any developed country, they don’t ask you this question. Religion and caste are very personal, and we don’t need to be asked about this (officially).”

Artist Anand Gadappa adds that the addition of this choice will help define society better, saying, “This is a good idea and will encompass people who don’t believe in religion or those who don’t want to list any caste. In modern times, religion doesn’t play a role in the development of the society; what matters is humanity and the ability of people to help and so I believe that having such an option is quite good.”

The fact that religion is a personal choice and people shouldn’t be forced to follow it — even if it’s just on paper — is another factor that the state needs to be reminded of.

Ratnashekhar Reddy, founder of the Samahaara Theatre Group, says, “The person who has started the petition is doing a great job and people should come out in hundreds to support him. Religion is a very personal choice and no one should tell you what one should do and not in the name of religion. According to me, there should not be any box to specify anything related to religion and caste while filling a form or applying anything. It is high time people come out from that mind block.”

Film producer Pritish Nandy also adds that religion should never be defining factor when it comes to a person’s merit: “Religion and caste do not define any of us; they only divide us. Each of us must be judged on our merit, not by reasons of our birth, faith, gender and caste. These are what holds back India in today’s agnostic world of talent.”

Write to us: Do you think that there needs to be the added option of “No religion” and “No caste” on government and educational admission forms? Send us your opinions at info@deccanmail.com