CHENNAI: "The principle of secularism is that the state should stay away from religion. It should not be the government's job to propagate and follow any religion. Religious harmony and people's unity should be maintained and protected."

Pointing out that the RSS-BJP group wanted to destroy the HR and CE with their aim to loot temple property and protect the caste hierarchy, he said that to overcome this, HR and CE should carry out the work.

"The government should avoid holding religious-based festivals, " he opined.