Recently an interesting discussion ensued in a friend circle. Who is secular? This was being ardently discussed. One who was most vocal was all praise for Lalu. It was Lalu who took a stand against Advani. Lalu still maintains his stance till date even though Modi is at the helm. Another participant was quick to dismiss that argument, saying his admiration for Nitish who had divorced the communal forces. The two got into spitting venom against one another, the former acclaiming Lalu as the one and the only one to have stopped the communal forces to rise, but even when it has risen, it is Lalu who stands committed to fight it out. In this  battle, Nitish had joined the fray, not as a help or supplement, but rather as an impediment, having divided the secular forces in two streams. The splitting of the forces against communalism had indirectly aided and assisted communalism, thereby weakening secular forces' combat power.
After some hot exchanges, the vehemence of the two participants flagged, paving way for an onlooker to but in. He asked, what , after all, is the exact meaning of secularism? Ok, leave aside its exact meaning, what are its synonyms and also what are its antonyms?
The question came in as a stopper of the hitherto ambulant discussions, which did not traverse only the above mentioned precincts, for numerous others that visited would fill volumes, if gone into.
The pause lasted for some moment, until answers were explored in under-confident stammers, all being unsure of what actually and what exactly the term, 'secular' means.
The interlocutor butted in once again, with some of the synonyms and antonyms he could figure out.
Synonyms of secular, are material, non- religious, worldly, non-spiritual, non- believer, etc.
Antonyms of secular, are religious, spiritual, God fearing, believer, etc.
Now please go ahead with your respective arguments, the interlocutor added, eliciting analyses as regards who are fighting against whom and what.
Does secularism oppose or obstruct the religious practices, asked a pious gentleman who had been attentively listening so far, without jumping into the cross-fire.
No,no. Secularism means complete indifference  towards what a religious practitioner might be doing within himself of within a close group, but without affecting or infecting public life or politics. In the reckoning of a secular state, it is immaterial or of no significance or value as to which faith, belief or religion one subscribe to. Matter and material is sacred, faith and opinions are free which do not overstep forbidden areas.
Well, well, now please spare us. These difficult terrains are for philosophers and lunatics to traverse. The commonly understood definitions of secular and communal  are more efficacious for us to handle and discuss, both the rival participants spoke out in unison, coaxing upon one another to resume their knee- jerk arguments against one another on who is a more profound protector of secularism and who is more competent to fight out communalism.