'Real secularism is treating Hindus, Muslims as brothers'

Veteran politician Amar Singh today said "real" secularism calls for treating Hindus and Muslims as brothers, and not the appeasement of one particular community.

The Rajya Sabha MP, who participated in a debate on secularism here, said, "We should go for real secularism... Secularism means all are children of the same God and not dividing people - which is akin to appeasement. Secularism does not mean appeasement of one community," he said.

There should be a thorough overhaul of the present concept of secularism, he said at the debate, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce.

Former Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar, speaking against the motion, said secularism in India is a totally different concept.

"In India secularism is to accept all religions. In India, the multireligious, multicultural spirit thrived for past thousands of years and that binds the country," Sircar said.

"We have different languages and we revel in our diversity. If we retain the structure of thousands of years, there is no need to overhaul," he said, countering Singh's argument.