Humans are the most unique creatures on earth. Unlike any other creature, humans, while living on earth, strongly desire a world beyond imagination - of everlasting happiness. This desire emanates from within and without any effort. It's like holding dual citizenship, and it is obvious because every civilisation has morality, and the driving force of morality is the objective truth, which is transcendent. Subsequently, every civilisation ought to respect human nature and allow people to cherish it with dignity and freedom for the well-being of each person and the society at large.

Politics is natural to humans because humans are, by nature, political beings. Without politics, the common good is impossible to achieve. Politics is the perfection of human life, which is limited and incomplete but necessary. Humans are destined for eternal existence. Using God as a means to a political end would be utterly contrary to reason. God is infinite and cannot be an object of use, a means to any limited end. In its pure state, politics and religion should not comingle but complement human perfection because it is endowed by the same source—God. But when politics combines religion for power, that is, weaponising religion, then all hell breaks loose, and the corridors of history bespeak dark ages of pain and agony from theocracy.

A theocracy is "government by divine guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided." The Indian politics of today mostly tend in this direction and could be described as "The Saffron Terror." For good reason, faith and state should be kept separate, as the most sinister and oppressive states in the world are those that use God to control the minds and actions of their populations.

Although India is a secular, democratic country, many states have passed anti-conversion laws, a direct attack on the Constitution and the fundamental right to unleash the saffron terror on minorities. Why is the anti-conversion law a draconian law? Anti-conversion laws are legislative measures aimed at preventing or prohibiting religious conversions. These laws can be used to discourage individuals from leaving a particular faith or to restrict religious groups from actively seeking new members from other religious backgrounds. Therefore, it is imperative to assess human nature and its final goal of existence to know the reason.

The first thing that arises is freedom, which is the essence of human nature because, in freedom, humans ought to strive to reach their perfection. Hence, freedom is a fundamental right, including freedom of religion. Whatever takes away freedom ought to be abhorred and detested.

Secondly, human dignity is not endowed by the state, but the state is called upon to uphold and respect the dignity endowed by God. Humans are created in God's image and likeness, and desire for God is natural, for in this lies his highest dignity and honour. But when a state tries to divest human dignity by passing draconian laws such as anti-conversion, it is an indictment of any civilisation.

The anti-conversion law has the potential to lead to discrimination and violence against religious minorities. Although the specific provisions and enforcement of anti-conversion laws differ across jurisdictions, they may involve both criminal and civil penalties. However, the implementation of these laws has raised concerns regarding their potential to favour dominant religions or suppress minority faiths. Consequently, the rise in sporadic and concerted violence fuelled by Hindutva against religious minorities is not only agonising but also terrorising the nation. Cow vigilantes are a perfect example and an ominous sign of a terrifying future.

India witnessed an alarming 84 per cent rise in communal violence in the year 2024, as compared to that of the previous year, according to a report by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism. This trend is disturbing and alarming, more so because the leaders have turned deaf ears and are silent observers, tacitly permitting impunity to the perpetrators. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom classified India as Tier 2 in persecuting religious minorities, the same as that of Iraq and Egypt.

In a 2018 report, USCIRF charged Hindu nationalist groups for their campaign to "saffronise" India through violence, intimidation, and harassment against non-Hindus. According to the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, 49 of the 59 communal riots took place in states where the BJP is ruling either on its own or in coalition with other parties. Therefore, for those who value democracy, the current trend and Hindutva narrative should disturb their conscience to champion the cause of the Constitution and debunk the fascist inclination.

The Constitution provides for freedom of conscience and the right of all individuals to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion; mandates a secular state; requires the state to treat all religions impartially; and prohibits discrimination based on religion. It also states citizens must practice their faith in a way that does not adversely affect public order, morality, or health. Ten of 28 states have laws restricting religious conversions for all faiths. Some of these states also impose penalties.

Many historians argue that religious violence in independent India is a legacy of the policy of divide and rule pursued by the British colonial authorities during the era of Britain's control over the Indian subcontinent, in which local administrators pitted Hindus and Muslims against one another, a tactic that eventually culminated in the partition of India.

Why is religious freedom a fundamental right and ought to be respected with the highest esteem? The end of human existence is happiness, and happiness is an inside job. All things find their good in their last end. The final cause is the cause of causes. Politics, although limited, is necessary, and all should be aware and know that politics is for the common good only. However, they can never exhaust the potential present in the human soul to know the truth.

The final goal of humans is God himself, and this union with God is realised in the Beatific Vision, which is beyond the realm of matter and politics. Understanding the nature of humankind, the founding fathers envisioned the nation with "Unity in diversity"—a brotherhood of men, for all to dwell in unity, to seek truth and happiness in freedom, and to thrive as a nation. This vision is enshrined in our Constitution.

The present dispensation and their allies, namely RSS and other right-wing groups, frown on this Constitution, and they are hell-bent on bringing a new constitution. According to Hindutva ideology, the new Constitution will usher in the long-desired "Ram Raj." Therefore, the admirers and lovers of democracy should denounce the fascist current that is slowly but surely devouring the social and secular fabric of this great nation and work to ensure the vision of our freedom fighters.

It is imperative to know that the spiritual nature of humans is the source of their dignity and freedom. Consequently, humans are not ordered to the political community according to their whole selves and all that is theirs, but the human whole, which they can do and have, must be ordered by God. Hence, politics should not deter humans from pursuing happiness; rather, it should be an enabler. If religion or politics forces their followers to follow a certain path by denying freedom, it is an antithesis to humans' nature and the Creator's will. Therefore, weaponising religion for politics is a bad idea.