Chapter 2 – Understanding Secularism
- What is Secularism? (What is Secularism?)
- Secularism means separating the state from religion.
- It emphasizes that in no country, any one religion shall be promoted as an official religion.
- Objective: People of all religions should have equal rights and freedoms, and no religious group should dominate any other.
- Indian Secularism
- The Indian Constitution provides that India is a secular state .
- Main Objectives of Indian Secularism:
- One religious community does not dominate another: This means that no majority religious community should misuse its power over the minority.
Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community: Even within the same religion, some people (such as upper caste) should not dominate others (such as lower caste).
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals: The state shall not support any particular religion nor prevent any person from professing the religion of his choice.
- How does the Indian state separate itself from religion? (How does the Indian State separate itself from religion?)
- Neutrality : The Indian state does not support or oppose any religious group.
- Distance : The Indian state maintains a certain distance from religious matters.
- Non-Interference: It does not interfere unnecessarily in the affairs of religious groups, unless they violate fundamental rights.
- Strategy of Intervention: In some cases, the state may intervene to end religion-based exclusion and discrimination (such as the abolition of untouchability).
- Differences between Indian and Western Secularism
| speciality | Indian Secularism | Western secularism |
| The Relationship of Religion and State | The state maintains a principled distance from religion, but can intervene in certain religious matters (e.g. to abolish untouchability). | Strict separation between religion and state. The state does not interfere in religious affairs at all. |
| Towards religious practices | Reforms in religious practices are allowed if they violate fundamental rights. | Religious groups have full freedom to maintain their practices, as long as they do not violate the law. |
| Emphasis on equality | Emphasizes equality between religious groups. | More emphasis on the individual and his rights. |
| Public Intervention | May intervene in public religious matters when required. | Completely separates religion from public affairs. |
- Example: In India, if a religious practice violates a person’s fundamental right (such as barring Dalits from entering a temple), the state can intervene. In Western countries, the state does not usually interfere in the internal affairs of religious communities.
- Importance of Secularism
- Essential for Democracy: Secularism is important in a democratic country so that all citizens get equal rights and no majority group dominates the minorities.
- Protection of Fundamental Rights: It protects the fundamental rights of citizens, including religious freedom.
- Peace and Harmony: It helps in maintaining peace and harmony among different religious groups.
- Freedom from Discrimination: It prohibits any kind of discrimination on the basis of religion.