Dr. M Ismail Faruqui And Others Petitioners
Versus:
Union Of India And Others Respondents
34. A reference to the Address of the President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, as the then Vice-President of India, on "Secularism in the Indian Ethos" while delivering Dr. Zakir Hussain Memorial Lecture of Vishva-Bharati, Shantiniketan, on 29-4-1989 is useful. Therein, her referred to the difference between our understanding of the world `secular' and that in the West or its dictionary meaning, and said:
"We in India, however, understand secularism to denote `Sarva Dharma Samabhaav': an approach of tolerance and understanding of the equality of all religions.
The philosophical approach of understanding, co-existence and tolerance is the very spirit of our ancient thought.
The Yajur Veda states:
`May all beings look on me with the eyes of a friend. May I look on all beings with the eyes of a friend. May we look on one another with the eyes of a friend.'
A very significant manifestation of secular outlook is contained in the Prithvi Sukta in the Atharva Veda:
This Earth, which accommodates peoples of different persuasions and languages, as in a peaceful home - may it benefit all of us.
`Oh, Mother Earth, give to us, as your children the capacity to interact harmoniously; may we speak sweetly with one another.'
And the Rig Veda emphatically declares:
`All human beings are of one race.'
Thus a philosophical and ethnological composite is provided by ancient Indian thought for developing Sarva Dharma Samabhaav or secular thought and outlook. This enlightenment is the true nucleus of what is now known as Hinduism."