Aligarh: Coming down heavily on those promoting "rigid and distorted" form of secularism, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on February 6 said there was need to redefine guiding principles behind the concept of secularism.

Secularism should not be interpreted as absence of religious and spiritual values in matters of state, he told Jain religious and community leaders from all over the world at the inauguration of Mangalayatan temple.

"Devoid of its religious content, public life becomes hollow and directionless," Advani said.

"India is a secular country and will always remain so as far as I am concerned. This implies no one will be discriminated against by the state on the basis of religion and creed."

Advani said spiritual and religious values should be inculcated by those managing the affairs of state.

Lauding the idea behind the establishment of Mangalayatan temple complex, Advani said since centuries, places of pilgrimage had helped in strengthening the country's identity and unity.

The inauguration of the temple marks the end of week-long celebrations of Jain religion in which 10,000 people including seers and religious scholars participated.

PTI