Image Courtesy: Bethune College

Kolkata: Just like you don't get to choose your nationality or family, you do not get to choose your religion. You are born either a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian or a Buddhist. If not any of these, then you are certain to fall into the category of clubbed religions called 'Others'. But wait; that is about to change.

The Bethune College of Calcutta University has considered 'Humanity' as a religion. In a noticeable step, the college has mentioned 'Humanity' along with Hinduism, Islam, Christian, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism and Others as an option under the religion section in its online admission form for undergraduates.

"We have realised that some students are reluctant to mention their religion in the admission form. We appreciate their views as we feel that 'Humanity' is the true religion of mankind. So we have deliberately kept this category in the religion section. It was a unanimous decision on the part of our admission committee," Mamata Ray, principal of Bethune College told the Millennium Post.

The college authorities said that mentioning the religion as 'Humanity' would not be an issue for students who apply for a scholarship as long as they meet the necessary criteria for the same as per the institution's guidelines.

Students are appreciating the college's step. A second-year student of English Honours in the college said, "The time has come to deliver the message strongly that Humanity is the true religion."

A Facebook user wrote, "We still have so much to be proud of, and someday, there might not be a column on religion at all."