Secularism

Introduction
India 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 and community is respected and are given equal rights.

Q1. What is secularism?

A1. Secularism is a Political 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.
Q4. Give characteristics of secular state?
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 to principles and goals like peace,
freedom from religious oppression, discrimination and also inter
religious and intra religious equality.
Q5. What is the difference between western model of secularism
and indian model ofsecularism?
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.
Both 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 do not 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.
Q6. Mention any two features of India as a secular state.
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.
Q7. Is secularism suitable for India? Explain.
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.8. Mention five forces that threaten the growth of a secular
state in India.
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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Social Inequalities. Serious social inequalities like poverty,
unemployment has also threaten the growth of secularism.
Q9. Short note: difference between indian secularism and western
secularism

Western Secularism
1.Non-interference of religion and state in each other's affairs. separation of state and religion.
2.Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised.

3.Less attention to community based rights.

4.Individual liberty at the centre.
1. what is secularism ?
a. Equality of religion
b. Freedom of religion
c. All of the above
d. None of the above
ans C

2. Which one is an example of intra religious domination.

a. Anti sikh riots
b. Godhra riots
c. Ill treatment of dalits
d. None of the above
ans C
3. Which one is an example of inter religious domination.
a. Anti sikh riots
b. Godhra riots
c. Massacres of kashmiri pandits
d. All of the above
ans D
4. What is a secular state?
a. Separation of religion and politics
b. Promote values of religion
c. Have an official state religion.
d. Ignores intra religious domination
ans A
5. Secular State means :
(a) The State has a religion
(b) The State is impartial in the matters of religion
(c) The State is against religion
(d) The State is irreligious.
Ans. (b)
6. India is a:
(a) Secular State (b) Hindu State
(c) Muslim State (d) Sikh State.
Ans. (a)
7. Which amendment of the Constitution added the word 'secular' in the
Preamble?
(a) 44th Amendment (b) 42nd Amendment
 (c) 46th Amendment (d) 50th Amendment
Ans. (b)
8. what are the threats to our indian secularism?
a. vote bank politics
b. intolerance
c.social inequalities
d.all of the above
ans D
9. which of the following characteristic Indian model of secularism does not
possess?
a. Complete separation of religion and politics
b. Religious reform
c. Community based rights
d. Religious freedom of minority communities
ans A
10. Which of the following characteristic indian model of secularism
possess?
a. Religious reform
b. Community based rights
c. Religious freedom of minority communities
d. All of the above
ans D
11. Western model of secularism has?
a. Complete separation of religion and politics
b. No support of state to religion
c. Liberty of individuals
d. All of the above
ans D
12. Western model of secularism does not possess?
a. Complete separation of religion and politics
b. No support of state to religion
c.Lliberty of individuals
d. None of the above
ans D
13. Western model of secularism does not possess?
a. Complete separation of religion and politics
b. No support of state to religion
c. Liberty of individuals
d. Equality of religious communities
ans D