This article attempts to analyze the concept of "secularism" embodied in the Madras temple entry acts of the 1930s, and to illustrate that "secularism" could take various forms depending on issues and circumstances. The task to integrate India as a nation met with great difficulty in the 30s due to the conflict between Hindus and Muslims, the movement by the untouchables to claim their political and social rights as a minority community, and the penetration of Non-Brahman Movement and communism among the lower strata of society, including the untouchables, especially in the Madras Presidency. C.Rajagopalachari(Rajaji)considered it important to unite the "Hindu Community" as a foundation of nation building, and thought that abolition of untouchability by means of introducing the temple entry acts was inevitable for that purpose. The concept of "secularism" in the 1920s, however, prevented the government from reforming "religious" custom established in the temples. Therefore, Rajaji newly interpreted "secularism" so that it should become possible for the government to "interfere" in the "religious sphere" of the temples. That the government should not be adherent to the protection of the "religious tradition" but must support its reform if public opinion wanted to change their religion was the new concept to "secularism". This new concept had several purposes. First, it criticised the colonial law system that had "protected" untouchability in the name of religious non-interference and refuted the theory of "mission of civilization". Secondly, it raised an objection against the criticism of Hinduism by the Non-Branmin Movement and communism. Thirdly, it persuaded conservative "orthodox" Hindus to change their attitude towards the untouchables and to open the temples on their own initiative.
抄録全体を表示