🕊️ Chapter 8: Secularism
Religion
📖 The word “Religion” originates from Sanskrit and emphasizes principles along with the welfare of all.
Meaning of Secularism
🌐 Secularism means giving freedom and respect to all religions without discrimination.
⚖️ The state does not favor or oppose any religion.
Secularism in India
🇮🇳 Secularism = Equal respect for all religions.
📜 The 42nd Amendment added the term “Secularism” in the Indian Constitution.
🎯 Objectives:
- Oppose religious dominance
- Promote equality and harmony among all religions
Religious Dominance Between Religions
👥 Every citizen has the right to live freely and with dignity.
⚠️ Examples of conflicts:
- 1984 – Sikh riots
- Kashmir – Displacement of Kashmiri Pandits
- 2002 – Violence against Muslims in Gujarat
Religious Internal Dominance
🏛️ Temples barred entry of women and Dalits
🕌 Some mosques prohibited women from offering prayers
Secular State
🏛️ A secular state:
- Does not give official recognition to any religion
- Follows the principle of equal treatment of all religions
- Prevents dominance of any religious group
- Maintains a clear distinction between religious institutions and state
- Avoids any religious alliances
Features of a Secular State
⚖️ Equality among all religions
📜 Laws are neutral and do not favor any religion
🕊️ Citizens have freedom to practice, preach, and propagate their religion
🚫 No religion is declared as the state religion
European Model of Secularism
🇺🇸 American Model:
- Religion and state are separate and must not interfere with each other
- Focuses on individual freedom and equality
- State does not support religious reforms
Indian Model of Secularism
- 🏛️ Separation of Religion and State: Indian secularism is not just about separation, but also protecting minorities.
- ✨ Freedom of Religion: All individuals, especially minorities, can follow and propagate their religion freely.
- 🛡️ State Role: The government can oppose religious oppression and take protective actions.
- 📜 Minority Rights: Minorities can identify problems, and the state can assist them.
- 📝 42nd Amendment (1976): Added the term “Secular” to the Constitution’s Preamble.
- ⚖️ Fundamental Rights Ensured:
- Religious Freedom 🕌⛪🕍
- Equality ⚖️
- Right to Education 📚 & Culture 🎨
🌍 Western Model of Secularism
- ✝️ No Clergy Control: The state is not run by religious leaders and has no state religion.
- 🇫🇷 France: Secularism became a social movement after the French Revolution.
- 🇺🇸 USA: Always a secular state. Constitution forbids:
- Establishing a religion ✖️
- Restricting religious freedom ✖️
- ⚖️ Neutral State: Does not support religious institutions.
- 👩🤝👩 Equal Rights: Every person gets the same rights regardless of religion.
🛡️ Right to Religious Freedom (Articles 24–28)
📜 Article 25
- Follow any religion 🙏
- Believe and propagate faith 📢
📜 Article 26
- Freedom to manage religious affairs 🏛️
📜 Article 27
- No forced religious taxes 💰✖️
📜 Article 28
- No religious education in government schools 🏫
⚠️ Criticism of Indian Secularism
- ❌ Anti-religion? Threatens religious identity
- 🌍 Imported from the West
- 🛡️ Supports minority rights → accused of favoritism
- 🗳️ Encourages vote-bank politics
- 🤝 Allows state-supported religious reforms
🔹 Communalism
- 💔 Excessive loyalty to one religion while disrespecting others
✨ How to Stop Communalism
- 🚫 Ban discriminatory political parties
- 👮 Punish biased officials
- 📚 Update educational content
- 📰 Restrict discriminatory news
🚀 The “Impossible Project”
- Secularism aims for unity in diversity, but is challenging in practice
- 🌏 Reflects the future of a multicultural world
- 🇮🇳 India is a global example, inspiring Europe, USA, and Middle Eastern countries to embrace diverse cultures & religions
