A group of intellectuals in the capital region have expressed concern over the ‘blatant manner’ in which the State government has been violating the secular spirit of the country by its obsession with Hindu rituals and traditions in official programmes.

In a signed statement released to media on Friday, former Editor of Visalandhra C. Raghavachari, atheist movement leader Lavanam, neurologist and Jana Vignana Vedika leader Gopalam Sivannarayana, educationists S.R Parimi and Hema Parimi and others came out strongly against the A.P. government’s obsession with Vaastu and Hindu traditions in performing official programmes.

“It is highly deplorable that persons holding constitutional positions are taking part in religious events held in full conformity with Hindu tradition without even being conscious of the fact that they have been violating the secular spirit enshrined in the Constitution of India. We are giving a call to preserve the pluralistic spirit and secular tradition of the country,” the signed statement read.

The group cited the bhoomi pooja of the capital Amaravati which was held at Mandadam village on June 6 in full conformity with the Hindu tradition as a gross violation of the secular spirit of the country. “The State government organised the event in Vaishnavite tradition and purohits performed Vigneswera Pooja and Hala Yagnam and other rituals. The presence of the Chief Minister, his wife and son symbolises the dynasty politics, which has been the bane of political system of our country. We are worried that this attitude may indicate that the country is leaning to a majority faith at a time when the country is facing internal issues relating to terrorism, attacks on minorities,” they said.

‘No religious bias’

The group wanted that all official programmes be free from any religious bias and asked the government to scrap the existing system of VIP darshans at religious places. People holding constitutional positions and in government should not take part in State programmes in their official capacity, they said.

“We consider secularism as not just a political philosophy but as a way of life. It is of utmost importance that we should preserve the spirit of secularism to protect the unity and integrity of the country,” they said.

Obsession with Vaastu and Hindu traditions in performing official programmes draws flak from group of intellectuals