Is Religion Mandatory*

Is Religion Mandatory*

Be it any of the application forms, starting from school admissions to job applications there is a mandatory field named “Religion”. Why is this field mandatory in all forms? Fields like Name, Contact Number, Address, and Nationality is fine for identity purpose; But, Why Religion?

While filling one of the application forms, I was bit confused when I came across the field religion, ok I filled it, the field next to it was Caste and then Sub Caste.  I did not have anything to fill so I left it blank. But, even these fields were mandatory that time. Now, what should I fill? I filled it as Nil.

In recent news, Kerala School denies admission to child after parents didn't fill caste, religious column.  Nazeem and Dhanya, who were seeking admission for their son at St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, said they want to raise their child without any religious boundaries which is the reason why they did not fill religion and caste column. "On February 19, when they reached the school for admission procedures of their child for the first grade they were asked why they have left the columns vacant. When they explained their part, the school management was adamant that only if they fill the religion and caste column, their child will be given admission,"   The school management said that it is unfortunate that such an unwanted controversy is taking place."Many of the benefits provided by the government are based on religion, “a reason why we insisted on filling the column. We asked the parents to file the affidavit if in future such benefits are denied to the student it will be their sole responsibility.

Here, in this case, there are some important points to be noted. Firstly, note the parents’ names (Nazeem and Dhanya), Yes, according to so called religion, one is Muslim and other Hindu. So, what is wrong when they want to raise their child without any religious boundaries? Next, note the school’s name (St.Mary’s Higher Secondary School), here, according to religion, it’s a Christian school. Wow, amazing! All the major religions come into picture here now. Let’s see what the school management said about this – “Many of the benefits provided by the government are based on religion, “a reason why we insisted on filling the column. True that! Benefits based on religion? It happens only in India! Why?

Now, let me take you through a scene from PK movie, where Aamir Khan enters  a neonatal care and checks all new born babies if there is thappa (stamp), when the doctor enters and finds him surprisingly, he asks the doctor “Thappa kahan hain”? Where is the stamp? Yes, where is the thappa for religion? When a baby is born, the good news will be if the baby is a boy or a girl and healthy; that’s all! Now, where and when did this religion come into picture?

Recently, there were protests against CAA at Delhi which was based on religion, what happened to it now? A small virus had to teach us a lesson? Or recent floods that affected Kerala had to teach us a lesson? Only during these kinds of situations there will be no religion. After that? Again back to norm! Thathaiva! We should have the freedom to raise our children without any religious boundaries.                

Is Religion Mandatory* - No,Never!