CONTENTS
650+ word essay on secularism in India
Preamble toConstitution of India, describes India as a sovereign, secular, democratic and republican state. Therefore, according to the Constitution, India is a state that maintains its own integrity and is free from any foreign control. It is a republic in the sense that the government of the state is merely the representative of the people, and the people have the right to elect deputies and change deputies through elections.
Likewise, India is a secular country. This means that every citizen of India has the right to practice, profess and propagate any religion of their choice. They can worship any god and follow any religion of their choice without worrying about social barriers.
It also states that India does not identify with any particular religion or promote any particular religion. India is tolerant of all religions and the country does not discriminate against any person based on their religion or place of birth as stipulated in the law of the country.
Secularism also implies that people belonging to all religions have equal rights and are welcome in every public place. Communal unrest in countries like India can only be prevented if people uphold secularism and religious tolerance. The spirit of brotherhood should be preserved in society and people should regard members of different religious communities as equals and as brothers.
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 aimed to introduce the terms 'sovereign' and 'secular' into the constitution of India. It was a necessary step to support the prosperous growth of all religious communities in the country.
It also allowed people from minority communities, such as the Anglo-Indians, to become a recognizable part of the nation. Since freedom of religion as a basic right in III. According to the Indian Constitution, any discrimination based on religion is punishable by law.
violation of secularism
Recently, in various states of India, secular ideals are being violated on a daily basis due to the orthodox mentality. Mob lynchings are rampant in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, etc. Lynching is the killing of people without due process of law. Lynchings based on religious differences are common in these countries.
These states are mostly Hindu states where, after the rise of the BJP as the ruling party, the people solemnly rebelled against the people of Muslim descent living in those states. Several incidents of such scenarios have been reported in recent years.
Several celebrities such as Anupam Roy, Shyam Benegal, Aparna Sen and Anurag Kashyap to name a few have written letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing attention to the alarmingly rising number of lynchings based on religious inequality.
There have also been allegations of using the slogan "Jai Shree Ram" which is said to be used as a slogan. Since Ram is considered sacred to Hindus, using the name of God in political propaganda is considered unethical.
A recent lynching in Jharkhand saw a mob killing a Muslim youth. This shocked the nation as it was a sign of the gradual eradication of secularism in the country.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently changed the name from Ahmedabad to Tyagraj and Faizabad to Ayodhya as they were Islamic names. This in turn led to religious intolerance and made the country unsafe for certain communities.
Certain incidents, such as the case of the rape of eight-year-old Muslim girl Asifa in Kathua, belonging to the Bakarwal community in Kathua near Srinagar in Kashmir, have also been hyped as a religious incident by a group of Orthodox Hindu men seeking revenge against the Bakarwals by kidnapping, raping and then killing a child.
Due to religious disputes, the 2018 incident did not see the light of justice until 2019. Finally, in 2019, after lengthy investigations, six of the seven main participants in the outrageous crime were convicted. An attempt to evict the nomadic Muslim Bakarwala community from Hiranagar Tehsil has been identified as the motive for the heinous crime.
The postponement of the investigation and sentencing followed protests by several local parties in favor of the accused, which also included two BJP ministers, both of whom later resigned. The incident drew widespread media attention, raising questions about the growing threat of secularism in the country.
Origins of Secularism in India
Indian secularism did not begin after independence. Rather, it predates the Constitution, the Freedom Movement, the Mughal, Turkish, Mauryan, and Ashoka eras. It predates the known and written history of India.
It is part of the spiritual beliefs of this country as expressed in the Vedas and Upanishads, the dates of which to this day cannot be accurately guessed. Theology, not theocracy, is the Hindu tradition.
No king other than Ashoka the Great declared a state religion in this country. But Ashoka is still seen around the world as a role model for peace and tolerance. India is a canvas of different religions, races and cultures.
Since time immemorial India has been open and very tolerant of different faiths and has nurtured both the native Dravidians and the invading Aryans, giving them the same resources to thrive and grow alongside the Dravidians and to call India their home.
Even Tatars, Turks, Mughals and Europeans left their mark on the country by intermarrying with the country's local population. Mixing the culture of domestic and foreign elements led to the development of a complex culture, not a religious culture, hence a kind of unity with multiple differences emerged.
The geography of the subcontinent also acted as a catalyst to promote unity. Since the people of India came from heterogeneous groups, they apparently had little in common to develop a homogeneous identity. They differed not only in physical structure but also in ideology and culture.
The social order based on the caste system forced them to live in a caste division. Every temple, mosque, church, gurudwara and vihar had its place to inspire its devotees.
Sometimes the religious texts of each denomination shared certain values, but often they differed. This led to conflict, isolation and subjugation of certain groups. This led to class, caste and class wars and caste conflicts. Despite these conflicts, however, India has managed to maintain communal harmony.
The number of social discriminations in India is increasing. Discrimination based on religion is widespread in countries like Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel and similar countries. Most terrorist attacks are committed by men who are delusional about their religious beliefs.
Just as religion can bring communities together, it can also destroy communities when faith is misguided. Therefore, maintaining a secular attitude is the first step in building a harmonious society and protecting everyone's rights and interests. It promotes unity and strengthens the nation as a whole.
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FAQs
What is secularism simple for kids? ›
Secularism in simple words refers as an ideology which provides people with the right to follow any religion or not follow any. It permits the state with the responsibility to maintain neutrality in the matters of religions. In a secular country, no state can legally favor or hate a particular religion.
What is the paragraph of Indian secularism? ›Secularism Essay 5 (600 words)
Secularism is one of the foundations of independent India. It ensures the citizens with right to expression along with religious freedom that is they are free to follow any religion of their choice. No entity can force a certain religion on a citizen of a truly secular state.
The concept of Secularism in Indian politics implies a full separation between religion (the church) and the state (the politics). India reflects a positive vision of Secularism as the Constitution provides equal respect and protects all religions.
What is secularism short note? ›What is Secularism? It means the separation of religion from political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life, religion being treated as a purely personal matter.
What is Indian secularism Grade 8? ›A strategy was adopted by India in view of separating the power of religion from the power of the State. The separation of religion from the State is termed as Secularism. According to Understanding Secularism Class 8 notes, Indians are permitted to live by their religious beliefs freely and practise the same.
What were the main ideas of secularism? ›There are three principles of secularism: Separation of religious institutions from state institutions. Freedom to practice one's faith or belief without harming others. Equality so that religious beliefs do not put anyone at an advantage or disadvantage.
What is Indian secularism in your own words? ›Secularism in India mean the separation of religion from state. Religious laws in personal domain, for Muslim Indians; and currently, in some situations such as religious indoctrination schools the state partially finances certain religious schools.
What is the most important aspect of Indian secularism? ›As discussed above, the most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically.
Why is India called a secular country? ›India is called a secular state because it does not have any state religion and people are free to practice any religion of their choice.
What is the conclusion of Indian secularism? ›Conclusion. India is one of the 96 secular nations that provides equal protection to all religions. It encourages and assists its citizens in adhering to a religion and its practices. However, there are instances when it is necessary to intervene and implement beneficial reforms for the betterment of society.
What is secularism in one sentence? ›
Secularism is a belief system that rejects religion, or the belief that religion should not be part of the affairs of the state or part of public education. The principles of separation of church and state and of keeping religion out of the public school system are an example ofsecularism.
What are the disadvantages of secularism in India? ›The disadvantages of the Secularism are:
They promote any one religion over another, this gives rise to communalism. 2. As the State does not interfere into the religious norms, different religion proposes their own law. Example: The Muslim Board follows their personal law.
Equal respect and recognition for all religions by the state. No discrimination by the state on the basis of religion. Non-interference in the functioning of any religion by the state. No official religion in India.
What are the different types of secularism? ›There are three types of secularism: socio-economic, philosophical, and political secularism.
In what ways Indian secularism is different from that of other countries? ›While Western secularism focuses only on Church-state separation, the minorities often face issues that the state can't handle right away. This is different in terms of Indian secularism. Indian secularism allows religions and beliefs to coexist peacefully without interfering in their affairs.
What does Indian secularism guarantee its citizens? ›Indian secularism guarantees the freedom of religion to its citizens. It allows individuals to practice, profess, and propagate their religion without any interference from the state. Indian secularism promotes the separation of religion and state.
What does a secular India mean Class 9? ›It means that the citizens have complete freedom to follow and practice any religion. Unlike countries like the United Kingdom and Pakistan, India does not have any official religion. In a secular country, the government treats all religious beliefs and practices with equal respect.
Is Indian secularism anti religious class 8? ›In conclusion, it is not correct to say that Indian secularism is anti-religious. Indian secularism seeks to treat all religions with equal respect and distance the state from religious matters. It recognizes the importance of religion in Indian society and has taken steps to promote religious harmony and coexistence.
What are the 3 principles of secularism? ›In a helpful exploration of the term, Jeremy Rodell identifies three core principles of secularism: institutional separation, freedom of belief and no discrimination on grounds of religion. These conditions allow for 'competing concepts of the good life' to be pursued in society.
Is India a secular country? ›India is a secular nation with no state religion and therefore every citizen residing within the territory of India has the right to follow the religion he believes in. Religion is personal matter and everyone has right to follow ones own religion. India has always been a Secular State from times immemorial.
What is secularism best answer? ›
Secularism is an ideology that says religion should not be involved with the ordinary social and political activities of a country. It dictates that there is no official religion of the state.
In what ways has secularism affected Indian society? ›The Indian caste structure has lost its rigidity. Any caste can now follow any occupation. The place and role of the Brahmin have diminished. The restrictions on feeding and eating no longer exist.
What does Indian secularism focus on more than the religion? ›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.
What is Indian secularism why it is important to separate religion from the state? ›It is important to separate state from religion to prevent domination of the majority religious group and violation of Fundamental Rights. Every individual has the freedom to embrace other religions and has the freedom to interpret other religions differently.
Why is India called a land of unity in diversity? ›India is called the 'land of diversity' because we have various types of food, speak different languages, celebrate different festivals, and practise different religions and traditions.
What is an example of a secular state? ›Examples of Secular and Non-Secular States
India is a secular state because it has no state religion and respects all religions equally. The United States and Singapore are two more examples of secular states.
While the concept itself has deep historical roots, the term secularism itself dates only to the 19th century, when it was coined by British reformer George Jacob Holyoake.
How can you justify Indian secularism? ›- The term secular was added to the Preamble of India by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act.
- There is no national language or religion, every religion is treated equally.
- The Constitution provides freedom to the citizens to profess any religion.
The Indian constitution provides various provisions of secularism for all the citizens of the country. The state does not prefer any particular religion. It provides freedom to people of all religions.
Why Indian secularism is often said to be pseudo secularism? ›The Hindus form the majority religious community in India; the term "pseudo-secular" implies that those who claim to be secular are actually not so, but are anti-Hindu or pro-minority.
What is secular in your own words? ›
/ˈsɛkjulə/ Secular things are not religious. Anything not affiliated with a church or faith can be called secular. Non-religious people can be called atheists or agnostics, but to describe things, activities, or attitudes that have nothing to do with religion, you can use the word secular.
What do you mean by secularism in 100 words? ›Secularism means trusting in a system that denies the concept of religion. It also assumes that public education and state affairs should be religion-less.
Why is it called secularism? ›Secular and secularity derive from the Latin word saeculum which meant "of a generation, belonging to an age" or denoted a period of about one hundred years.
What is the impact of secularism on society? ›Secularism seeks to create a framework in which the rights of all in society are protected. Many pressing social issues concern different interpretations of religious privilege, tolerance and discrimination.
Which is the best definition of secularism quizlet? ›Definition. The belief that religion should not interfere with or be integrated into public affairs of a society.
What are some examples of secularism? ›To be a true example of a secular state, the state should not have any legal or formal alliance with any religion. The state should be separated from religious institutions. The state should not be providing any aid to religious institutions. The state cannot enforce any particular religion on anyone.
What is a good sentence for secular? ›The secular clergy experienced the least change. We were left pondering how to spark activism in a largely secular country. As societies become richer they become more secular. He is a bridge between the secular and religious.
What does secular mean kid definition? ›Secularism, also called Secularity or (adjectives: Secular or non religious) is the idea of something being not religious or not connected to a church. An example of this is the government, which is independent of any religion in many states.
Does secular mean not religious? ›Secular means "of or relating to the physical world and not the spiritual world" or "not religious." It comes from the Latin word that evolved from meaning "generation" or "age" to meaning "century" (taken as the extreme limit of a human lifetime).
What is the most important aspect of secularism means? ›As discussed above, the most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically.
Why is secularism important? ›
There are many principles that are associated with all forms of political secularism. It typically promotes legal equality between people of different religions, opposing a legal hierarchy on the basis of religious belief or lack of religious belief.