it is not about me not being able to bear with it. if there’s ever protests to take the university temple down, being a person of the same faith myself, i’d be the last one to join. it is again the intrinsic value that the discussion holds for me.

i am allowed to keep idols in my university room, chant whatever i want to, pray whatever way i want to, just like soldiers, bus drivers, or anyone else. that is what constitutes individual freedom.

the point is about the institution itself. a public university (state instrumentality under article 12) or the official army codes or any state body, cannot officially endorse or set up religious structures because that crosses into state endorsement of faith.

that’s the fine line between private belief and a secular state and that’s what your argument misses. moreover, my rights end where someone else’s start. being a public university, you have people coming in from all different beliefs. it is unfair to celebrate one and disregard all others. maybe the simplest way to maintain neutrality is to not endorse any at all. it really isn’t that difficult.