The Indian Diaspora Council condemns Louisiana's Ten Commandments law as unconstitutional / Image- IDC

The Indian Diaspora Council International (IDC) has strongly condemned the Ten Commandments law passed by the State of Louisiana, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of the principle of separation of church and state. 

The law, signed by Governor Jeff Landry last week mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in large, easily readable font in all public classrooms, ranging from kindergarten to state-funded universities.

IDC argued that law goes against the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment, which prohibits Congress from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 

The organization stated that the Louisiana law promotes one religion over others, thus infringing upon the constitutional rights of students and educators in public schools.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State (AUSCS) and the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana (ACLU-LA) have both expressed their intention to challenge the law in court.  

A joint statement from these organizations emphasized that "politicians have no business imposing their preferred religious doctrine on students and families in public schools."

The controversy echoes a 1980 U.S. Supreme Court decision that ruled a similar law in Kentucky unconstitutional. The Court determined that the Kentucky law violated the establishment clause of the Constitution, noting that it lacked a secular purpose and served a plainly religious agenda.

Dr. Nicole Bissessar, director of community cultural affairs for the IDC, reiterated the council's commitment to religious freedom and its opposition to governmental imposition of religious beliefs. "IDC reaffirms its unwavering support for the freedom to practice one's religious beliefs without discrimination or penalty and condemns the government's imposition of one religion over another," Bissessar stated.

The IDC's condemnation highlights the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public institutions and underscores the potential legal battles ahead as advocacy groups seek to uphold constitutional protections against religious endorsement by the state.