Shafaqna India: Amartya Sen, Nobel laureate, emphasized that the recent Lok Sabha election results indicate that India is not becoming a ‘Hindu Rashtra’. Sen, who arrived in Kolkata from the US, expressed dissatisfaction with the continued practice of imprisoning people without trial under the current government.
Speaking to a Bengali news channel at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Sen remarked, “That India is not a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ has been reflected in the election results.” He highlighted ongoing concerns such as economic disparities and the need for political openness in a secular country governed by a secular Constitution.
Regarding the composition of the new Union cabinet, Sen commented that it resembles its predecessor, with ministers retaining similar portfolios. He criticized the persistence of powerful political figures and raised historical parallels of unjust incarcerations, noting similarities to his youth during British rule.
Reflecting on recent political developments, Sen criticized attempts to define India solely as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’, citing efforts like the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He argued that such actions obscure India’s diverse cultural identity, shaped by figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore.
Furthermore, Sen highlighted rising unemployment and the neglect of sectors like primary education and healthcare as pressing issues that need urgent attention.
