Secularism
introductionindia is a diverse country. Multiple religions and cultures coexist. This can also become a source of conflict and tensions in the country. So India has followed secular principles so that every religion nad community is respected and are given equal rights.
What is secularism?
Secularism is a normative doctrine which seeks to realise a secular society. It is free from inter-religious and intra religious domination. It promotes freedom to practice their religion and equality between religions as well as within religions.
Inter religious domination : situations where one religion dominates and suppresses other religion. For example In 1984, there were anti sikh riots. In 2004, in Godhra riots, Gujarat, Muslims were killed. All these examples show how one religion killed and suppressed other religion to show their superiority and domination.
Intra religious domination: situations where a community/religion dominates its own members. For example: dalits are at a very low hierarchy and they are treated inhumanely and like slaves by upper castes.
So secularism promotes freedom of religion. And is free from inter religious domination and intra religious domination.
Q&A
Q1. What is secularism?
A1. Secularism is a normative doctrine which seeks to realise a secular
society. It is free from inter-religious and intra religious domination.
It promotes freedom to practice their religion and equality between
religions as well as within religions.
Q2. What is inter religious domination? Give example.
A2. Inter religious domination : situations where one religion dominates
and suppresses other religion. For example In 1984, there were anti
sikh riots. In 2004, in Godhra riots, Gujarat, Muslims were killed. All
these examples show how one religion killed and suppressed other
religion to show their superiority and domination.
Q3. What is intra religious domination? Give example.
A3. Intra religious domination: situations where a community/religion
dominates its own members. For example: Dalits are at a very low
hierarchy and they are treated inhumanely and like slaves by upper
castes.
Secular state
Now the question which arises is what needs to be done to prevent
conflicts and tensions in society? Education is very important for
inculcating the right values in individuals. Mutual respect and love
need to be shared.
Besides education we need a secular state. state should not be run by
religious heads rather than directly elected by people. There needs to
be separation between religion and political institutions. A state
governed by priestly order is called theocratic state.
A state should also not have any formal or legal alliance with any
religion. For example: although pakistan is headed by democratic rulers.
But it is having an official religion namely sunni islam.
State should be committed to principles and goals like peace, freedom
from religious oppression, discrimination and also inter religious and
intra religious equality.
Q&A
Q1. Give characteristics of secular state?
A1. A. state should not be run by religious heads rather directly
elected by people. A state governed by priestly order is called
theocratic state.
b. A state should also not have any formal or legal alliance with any
religion. For example: although pakistan is headed by democratic rulers.
But it is having an official religion namely sunni islam.
c. State should be committed t principles and goals like peace, freedom
from religious oppression, discrimination and also inter religious and
intra religious equality.
Western model of secularism
We have read that there needs to be separation between political
institutions and religion. Now what kind of separation. Separation
means complete separation where
state does not interfere in religious affairs at all.this is western
secularism. Or should state interfere in religion so as to remove evils
in it. This is Indian secularism. Let me explain more on this.
Features of Western model of secularism
State will not intervene in the affairs of religion. And religion will
not intervene in the affairs of the state. Each have separate sphere of
its own. No public policy will be drafted on the basis of religion. And
the state cannot aid any religious institution. It cannot give any
financial support o educational institutions run by religious
communities. State donot intervene in the affairs of religion till the
time religion is working within the limits of the law. For example: if a
religion does not allow woman to become a priest , then the state can
do little about it. If the religion does not allow some community to
enter in its temple, then the state cannot do anything about it. State
does not give community based rights or minority rights. This was
because; most of the western societies was religiously homogenous except
the presence of Jews. So they focused on individual freedom and
equality and inter religious issues were neglected.
Indian model of secularism
Indian secularism is completely different from western secularism.
Before we understand this, we need to remember that India is a
religiously diverse country. The differences between indian and western
secularism are
Keeping our deep rooted diversity in mind, indian secularism focused on
equality. It opposed the oppression of women and dalits within hinduism
or indian islam or christianity.
Indian secularism deals not only with religious freedom of individuals
but also with religious freedom of minority community. Within it,
individual has right to profess religion of his/her choice. Religious
communities have a right to exist and establish their own culture and
educational institutions.
We are having state supported religious reform. Our constitution has
banned untouchability. It has also enacted several laws like abolishing
child marriage and also allowing inter caste marriage within Hinduism.
So the question is, since the state intervenes in religious reform so
can it be called secular? India has adopted a very sophisticated policy
of religious equality. It has chosen positive mode of engagement. It
grants all religious minorities the right to establish and maintain
their own educational institutions which may receive assistance from
state. These strategies are adopted by state to promote values of peace,
freedom and equality.
Indian constitution allows for principled state intervention. It means
that state will intervene when itsprinciples of freedom, equality and
peace will be hindered.
Q&A
Q1. What is the difference between western model of secularism and indian model ofsecularism?
A1. The difference between western model of secularism and indian model of secularism is :
Western model of secularism: State will not intervene in the affairs of
religion. And religion will not intervene in the affairs of the state.
Each have a separate sphere of its own. No public policy will be drafted
on the basis of religion. And the state cannot aid any religious
institution. It cannot give any financial support to educational
institutions run by religious communities. State donot intervene in the
affairs of religion till the time religion is working within the limits
of the law. For example: if a religion does not allow woman to become a
priest , then the state can do little about it. If the religion does not
allow some community to enter in its temple, then the state cannot do
anything about it. State does not give community based rights or
minority rights. This was because; most of the western societies was
religiously homogenous except the presence of Jews. So they focused on
individual freedom and equality and inter religious issues were
neglected.
Indian model of secularism
Indian secularism is completely different from western secularism. This
is because India is a religiously diverse country. The differences
between indian and western secularism are:
Keeping our deep rooted diversity in mind, indian secularism focused on
equality. It opposed the oppression of women and dalits within hinduism
or indian islam or christianity.
Indian secularism deals not only with religious freedom of individuals
but also with religious freedom of minority community. Within it,
individual has right to profess religion of his/her choice. Religious
communities have a right to exist and establish their own culture and
educational institutions.
We are having state supported religious reform. Our constitution has
banned untouchability. It has also enacted several laws like abolishing
child marriage and also allowing inter caste marriage within Hinduism.
India has adopted a very sophisticated policy of religious equality. It
has chosen a positive mode of engagement. It grants all religious
minorities the right to establish and maintain their own educational
institutions which may receive assistance from state. These strategies
are adopted by state to promote values of peace, freedom and equality.
Indian constitution allows for principled state intervention.
Q2. Mention any two features of India as a secular state.
Ans. 1. There is no state religion in India. No religion has been given
special rights and no religion is given any special help by the state.
2. The Constitution grants religious freedom to all the people. Every individual can pursue religion of their choice.
Q3. Is secularism suitable for India? Explain.
Ans. Secularism is most suitable for India due to following reasons:
1. Multi-Religious State. Secularism is most suitable for India because
India is a multi-religious state. So, it is not desirable to accept one
single religion as the state religion.
2. Impact of ancient culture. Since ancient times diverse religious
movements flourished in different parts of India. And this promoted
tolerance. So the framers of the Constitution felt that secularism was
the best option to continue that spirit.
3. India is a democratic State. So it grants Freedom of religion and equality of all religions to every individual.
4. Partition of the country. The division of the country made us learn
that india needs to be secular country if it wants peace in the country.
Q.3. Mention five forces that threaten the growth of a secular state in India.
Ans. Followings are the main forces and factors which threaten the growth of a secular state in India:
1. Communalism. Hatred amongst communities has led to inter-community
conflicts.for example: godhra riots, anti sikh riots in 1984.
3. Casteism. Almost all the political parties in India contest elections
on the basis of caste. And even a candidate for a constituency is
selected on the basis of the caste.
4. Lack of tolerance. Lack of tolerance among people has become great
problem for Indian secularism. Politicians also take advantage of this
by inculcating more of intolerance and encouraging them to remain
divided and fight.
5. Social Inequalities. Serious social inequalities like poverty, unemployment has also threaten the growth of secularism.
Q4. Short note: difference between indian secularism and western secularism
A4.
Western Secularism
|
Indian Secularism
|
non-interference of religion and state in each other's affairs. separation of state and religion.
|
State supports religious reforms.
|
Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised.
|
Equality between different religious groups is a key concern.
|
Less attention to community based rights.
|
focus on minority rights. community based rights are granted.
|
individual liberty at the centre.
|
equality at centre
|
NCERT SOLUTION
Exercise : Solutions of Questions on Page Number : 127
Q1 :Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
(b) Recognition of a state religion.
(c) Equal state support to all religions.
(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
Answer : Any answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the purpose. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a sample solution has been provided for your reference:
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group over another is compatible with the idea of secularism as it allows freedom to all religious groups.
(c) Equal state support to all religions is compatible with the idea of secularism as it provides a chance to every religion to preserve it’s traditions and flourish.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority is compatible with the idea of secularism as this will provide right to the minority to maintain it’s cultural identity and a chance to develop.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples is compatible with the idea of secularism as it prevents discrimination and provides equal rights to every social group.
Q2 :Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs | State supported religious reforms allowed |
| Equality between different religious groups is a key concern | Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised |
| Attention to minority rights | Less attention to community based rights |
| Individual and his rights at the centre | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs | State supported religious reforms allowed |
| Equality between different religious groups is a key concern | Attention to minority rights |
| Attention to minority rights | Equality between different religious groups is a key concern |
| Individual and his rights at the centre | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
Q3 :What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
Answer :
Secularism is a doctrine that opposes any form of religious and intra-religious domination. It does not oppose religion itself.
Secularism cannot be equated with religious tolerance as tolerance may be compatible with religious domination by one group.
However, religious tolerance is one of the components of secularism.
Q4 :Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.
(a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
(b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
(c) Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
Answer : Any answer supported with argument or explanation would solve the purpose. It is strongly recommended that you prepare the solution on your own. However, a sample solution has been provided for your reference:
(a) Secularism allows us to have a religious identity. In India, a citizen can have a religious identity, so that he/she can represent his/her religious institution whenever required in order to preserve and develop it.
(b) Secularism is against inequality both within a religious group and between different religious groups. The Indian government tries to maintain equality within religious groups to prevent discrimination and eradicate practices that are derogatory to human dignity.
(c) Secularism may have a western-Christian origin but it is suitable for India. This is due to the fact that India is a multi-cultural and religious society. Thus, it is necessary to ensure equal treatment to all groups both within and between different religions to maintain harmony and integrate the country.
Q5 :Indian secularism focuses on more than the religion-state separation. Explain.
Answer :
Indian secularism does not focus on the religion-state separation alone; it is also concerned with maintaining harmony between different religions and reforming religious practices to protect the social and civil rights of its citizens.
Indian secularism allows every religion to flourish and develop.
The Indian state allows the promotion of all religions and treats each of them equally.
Therefore state does not interfere in religious matters but it checks the influence of religion in public life.
Q6 :Explain the concept of principled distance.
Answer : According to the concept of principled distance, a secular state may keep a principled distance from religion to promote peace between communities and it may also intervene to protect the rights of specific communities.
The state gives equal preference to every religion and respects them all equally.However, the state may interfere if religious groups try to exercise their power on the political and social life of the people.
This balanced distance of state from religious groups is called principled distance.
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