Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized that religion should remain a personal matter for every individual and urged states to adopt a secular approach to governance during his address at the national conclave on ‘Constitutional Challenges: Perspective and Pathways’ in New Delhi on Saturday. Chairing the session on ‘Religion and the Constitution: Guardrails and Guidelines,’ Sukhu called for respecting all religions while upholding India’s ancient traditions of peace, unity, and brotherhood to prevent societal violence and conflict.

“Every religion is respected in our country, and the basis of our rich traditions of unity and brotherhood lies there,” Sukhu stated, according to a release from his office. He underscored India’s reputation for religious tolerance, warning that neglecting these values risks fostering division and unrest. Sukhu stressed that religion, a central pillar of human society since ancient times, should not be exploited to divide people, advocating for a clear separation of religion from politics.

Highlighting the Indian Constitution’s commitment to religious freedom, Sukhu noted that it reflects the inherent dignity of individuals to explore their conscience. “If we provide religious freedom, then we provide unity. The word used for unity in the Preamble of the Constitution is fraternity,” he said, linking constitutional principles to social cohesion. He questioned why those who celebrate India’s ancient civilization fail to embrace the fundamental justification of secularism and religious liberty.

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The conclave session saw participation from prominent Congress leaders, including former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, Digvijaya Singh, Abhishek Singhvi, Alka Lamba, and Pramod Tiwari, who echoed Sukhu’s call for safeguarding constitutional values. The event underscored the Congress party’s push to protect India’s secular framework amid growing debates over religion’s role in governance.

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