INDIAN FESTIVALS AND THE IDEA OF SECULARISM

Fairs and festivals abound throughout India. Since there are so many different communities and
religions represented here, India hosts numerous festivals each year. The fairs and festivals that
feature dancing, music, sweets, and other festivities are where one can best experience Indian
tradition and culture. All of the holidays are joyfully and fervently commemorated in a festive
setting.

"Greatness of a culture can be found in its festivals," the saying goes. This adage has been
proven true by India, where a number of festivals are joyfully observed nationwide. The subtle
threads of festivities that connect various cultures and religions become bonds of affection. India
is therefore renowned for maintaining unity despite cultural variety. Festivals show us how to
confront evil and deception and uphold the truth. The celebrations are characterised by zeal,
optimism, and hopes for a brighter tomorrow.

Diwali or Deepavali is a national holiday that honours joy, happiness, and brotherhood no matter
how it is celebrated. During this time, families get together to celebrate one another's health.

It is great to see youth initiatives use this day to further integrate all communities and urge
everyone to participate in the celebrations, despite the festival's altered organisation and
celebration style. It is expected that other communities will observe their own festivals in return.
When that happens, India will be able to truly uphold the values of inclusion and secularism.

Over the years, Diwali, the celebration of lights, has taken on a more secular character. Non-
Hindus also observe it in their own unique ways. For instance, members of the Delhi
Brotherhood Group (DBS), also known as the Brotherhood of the Ascended Christ society,
would light up their brothers' homes in the nation's capital. Initially known as the Cambridge
Mission, it was established in 1877 as a result of Bishop Westcott's vision. Westcott wanted to
establish a Cambridge University-based Anglican community of celibate brothers in India. The
Brotherhood Society founded the illustrious St. Stephen's College, which produced both
Pakistan's Zia ul Haq and India's Fakhruddin Ali Ahmad as presidents.

In addition, while discussing Diwali, we must note that Charles Freer Andrews, an Anglican
priest and Brotherhood group member who lived from 12 February 1871 to 5 April 1940, was a
close friend of Gandhi ji. He was a pro-independence activist and professor. He grew close to
Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore and supported the fight for Indian independence.
Gandhi had been a key figure in the Indian civil rights movement in South Africa when he was
persuaded to return to India by him.

Hindus celebrate Diwali as a celebration of Prince Rama of Ayodhya's triumphant return from a
14-year exile and war with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. Ayodhya's citizens lighted
candles along the way to illuminate their journey during the night.

Diwali tells the tale of the Sikh people's fight for freedom. It commemorates Guru Hargobind's
victory over Emperor Jahangir's plans, who had imprisoned him together with 52 other princes in
1619. Until he was able to take all the princes with him, Guru Hargobind refused to leave the
prison for freedom.

It means something quite different to Jains. For them, Diwali commemorates the day that Lord
Mahavira, the final Jain Tirthankara, reached nirvana, also referred to as enlightenment and total
knowledge. The dharma upheld by Jains all across the world was established by Lord Mahavira.

Muslims, meantime, have been honouring Diwali for centuries. According to legend,
Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the first ruler to celebrate a Hindu festival inside his palace, governed
Delhi from 1324 to 1351. The celebration was planned by Tughlaq's Hindu wives and was
marked by goodwill and delectable fare.

Every culture and every group must have festivals. This is true for both traditional society and
modern culture. But the festivities' characteristics differ substantially between traditional and
contemporary societies. On the other hand, contemporary secular festivals are particularly
distinctive and tailored, based on a person's personal history, such as his birthday or anniversary,
or they draw attention to comparable turning points in the lives of historical figures.

AAYUSHI SINGH
BA LLB (H)
3rd Year