When we voted for "Sanzman", for “Rupture”, we were also expecting a consolidation of “laรฏcitรฉ”,” of being genuinely secular …more of reforms at the social and political levels, more of changes towards the separation of religion and the state .
Rs 124.4 million has been allocated in the 2026–2027 Budget to support religious organisations. If Pension reform is unavoidable because of our presently difficult economic situation -la caisse vide - then it’s time to also revisit some of the arrangements between the state and religion to find new ways to lessen the dependence of the religious bodies, the socio-culturals on government.
We believe that funding for religious bodies should not be privileged in our society at the taxpayer’s expense. Why should faith-based organizations use the taxpayer’s money, rather than funding from their members, to fund their religious activities and promote their particular faith? This undermines the bedrock principle that no Mauritian should be forced to support a religion against his or her will.
Taxpayer-funded religious bodies are bad for all religions, communities and citizens. It encourages an incestuous relationship between the State and religious institutions and influences them to snuggle up to government for support. And the politicians never miss the opportunity of taking advantage of it. Did u notice their latest fancy ?– to be seen , seeing off their fellow religious people going on pilgrimage? Gayn vote avek sa !
And it is time to engage in an open debate on this religion-state relationship and question any policy that involves large government subsidies/grants/favours/distribution of state land to specific religious groups and organisations.
Ideally the preamble for our discussions should include the need to keep religion private, away from public spaces (and foreign influence) in adherence to the constitutional principles of equality and individual freedom.
