POLITICAL SCIENCE

TOPIC: SECULARISM- INDIAN v/s WESTERN

PROJECT REPORT

● SUBMITTED BY: LIZAMONI SAIKIA

● STREAM: ARTS

● ROLL NO:

HS 1st YEAR

ABHIGYANAM SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

NOONMATI GUWAHATI: 781020

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CONTENTS

● Acknowledgement.

● Introduction.

● What is ‘Secularism’ ?

● Basic feature of Secularism.

● Secular State.

● Basic feature of a Secular State.

● Indian Model of Secularism.

● Distinctive character of India Secularism.

● Secular Features of Indian Secularism.

● Secularism in the West.

● Distinction between Western Secularism and Indian Secularism.

● Criticism of India Secularism.

● Conclusion.

● Bibliography.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I want to express my gratitude to Madam Jutika, for her guidance, , and friendly critique. Their

guidance and care have helped me to complete this project/Assignment on time. I would also like to

thank my friends who helped me.

This project is a team effort, showing what we can achieve together. It's been a great Leaning

experience, and getting is ready for whatever comes next.

And Finally, I would like to thank my friends and friends who are always there for me and without

whom I won't be successful in achieving anything in life.

Thank you
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INTRODUCTION

India has been declared a secular state by its written constitution and it is every Indians duty to

stand by and believe in this declaration. And yet recent political and social events have questioned

this declaration. Is India a secular country only on paper or does secularism actually exist in India;

or is in the form of pseudo- secularism, a term the BJP and its allies seem to repeatedly harp on.

Now days, it has been a debatable point whether India is a secular state in its true sense or

not. In light of the recent happenings and the state's interference with the religious affairs

of the country has made it more complex. Before every elections, be it general election or

any state election, it has become trend to appease a "particular" community in name of

their development and thus all parties trying to mobilize that community. In name of the

secularism, the politics of appeasement is being played and none can question it because

India is a secular state. But the here question arise is that whether in India the secularism is

practiced in its true sense or is only a tool of the exploitation of a particular community.

The prime minister of our country says that the Muslims have the first right over the

country's resources, or the other leader says that all Muslims are progeny of Hindus and

thus should consider themselves as Hindu. And at the same time grass violation of

fundamental rights is being done in name of the secularism and state is unable to prevent

them. The demand of Uniform Civil Code¹ by a section of political arena has also been

ignored by the secularists and thus the very fundamental constitutional principle of equality

has been ignored.

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The emergence of extremist group has also questioned India's secular principles. Today, the biggest

challenge to the Indian nation is coming from forces claiming to represent the mainstream majority.

There is an emergence of extremist voices that claim to speak for Hindus and they are laying down

demands that threaten the very idea of a secular India. The biggest area of concern is that the state

has emerged to be complicit, as an actor and player in mounting this challenge to Indian pluralism,

which goes under the name of Hindutva.

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WHAT IS SECULARISM

A state is characterized as ‘secular’ when it has no official established religion and it doesn't
discriminate among it's citizens on the basis of religion. There is general argument over this
characteristic of secular state. However with regard to the purpose and object of a “Secular State”
there is hardly any unanimity among the scholars and practitioners of Secularism. A secular state
as defined scientifically means a state, which recognises every citizen as equal and doesn't recognise
any social or religious stratification as vehicles for exercising political right, which is tolerate
towards all religions with special emphasis on the protection of minorities and preservation of
communal harmony. The essence of secularism, however, rests on two basic principles:

1. Separation of religion from politics.

2. Acceptance of religion as purely and strictly private affairs of individuals having nothing to
do with the state.

BASIC FEATURE OF SECULARISM

The following are the basic feature of Secularism:

1. No state religion.

2. Freedom of religion.

3. Equal respect for all religion.

4. No discrimination on the basis of religion.

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SECULAR STATE

Generally, secularism means a secular state. But secularism of not limited only with secular
state. Inspite of that in the discussion of secularism, top priority is given in the secular state.
According to Venkataraman- “A state is secular which is neither religions nor irreligious, nor
anti-religious but is wholly detached from religious dogmas and activities and thus neutral in

religious matters.” On the other hand a state governed directly by priestly order is called
theocratic.

The constitution of India provided universal citizenship. Citizenship is political identification of the
people of a state, Indian constitution makes no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, religion,
language, sex while giving political identification to its citizen.

The state must be such where there will be no discrimination on the basis of caste, sex, religion and
etc. Such a state is known on Secular State. The conclusion of the idea declares India as a secular

state. Like India many states of world constitutionally supports secular state. However, the secular
state of the world have their different characteristics. Among them the most important are:

1. The state has no religion of its own.

2. The administration of the state not conducted by religions rules and regulations.

3. The state has no constitution relation with any religion.

4. State provides no political support to any religion.

5. The state provides equal treatment and equal relief to all religion.

The meaning of secular state is different from anti-religion state. Anti-religion state discords the
concept of religion. But secular state grants religions rights and freedoms to its citizen.

A state governed directly by a priestly order is called theocratic. As for example in medieval
Europe there existed theocratic state. With the beginning of modern age conflict between the church
and the state took place. As a result, the secular state existed. Later on, freeing religions rules,
secular state came into being.

In modern times some states has its own religion where priestly and religious rules have influence
in the administration of government affairs. For example Pakistan has its own state religion. It is a
theocratic state and religious leaders play dominant role in state administration.
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To be truly secular, a state must not only refuse to be theoratic but also have no formal, legal
alliance with any religion. Such a state includes peace, religious freedom, freedom from religious
grounded oppression, discrimination, ect.

BASIC FEATURE OF A SECULAR STATE

The basic feature of a Secular State are as follow:

1. It does not establish, organize or endow any religion.

2. It extends full religions freedom of its citizens. The citizens are allowed to follow any religion
they like, propagate their institution and give religions instruction to their children.

3. It treats all its citizens as equal before law irrespective of their religious faith. It does not
discriminate against any citizen in matters of public employment on the ground of religion.

4. It does not take responsibility for the religious or welfare of its citizen.

5. In what it does for the welfare of its citizen, it is guided by the dogmas of any religion or
considerations of other worldly happiness.

INDIAN MODEL OF SECULARISM

Actually and sociologically speaking, secularism in India is a way of life. In a country where
there are at least 12 religions, over 300 caste, nearly 4,000 subcasts, over 20 languages, over 300
dialects, mix traditions; the only way to reduce internal tension is to inculcate tolerance and
co-existence. That idea of secularism evolved not out of historical and religion debate but out of
political exigency.

In India, secularism was emerging as the most dominant principal of nation building. Though
the term ‘Secular’ was not intially mentioned in the original constitution, it was later incorporated
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by the 42nd Amendment. Indian constitution always maintain a secular nature. The secular
objective of the state was articulated through the insertion of the world ‘Secular' in the preamble by
the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act, 1976. Through the Fundamental Rights incorporated from
Article 12 to 35 secularism has been given a constitutional status in India. The leaders of the Indian
National Congress - Mahatma Gandhi, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and
others - were deeply committed to the idea of secularism. The Constitution Assembly debates were
extensive on the subject and only after considerable brain storming secular principles were
enshrined in our constitution. We are using the term secularism have to mean Dharma Nirpekshta (
i.e., religious authorities should have no say in matters of state). There is another interpretation also
which is being imputed to secularism “ Sarva Dharma Samabhava” (equal respect for all religions).

Secularism has been one of the essential elements in the basic structure of our constitution which
lays down that:

● The state have no religion.

● All citizens however have fundamental rights to follow and propagate their own religion.
● It is the duty of the state to protect life, liberty and property of all citizens provide security to
them and enable them to exercise their fundamental rights. The state will not discriminate
between the citizen on the ground of religion and language.

DISTINCTIVE CHARACTER OF INDIA SECULARISM

1. Indian secularism not only opposes to the operation of Dalits and women within Hinduism,
it also opposes the discrimination against women within Indian Island or Christianity, etc.

2. It is only deals with religious freedom of individuals but also with religious freedom of
minority communities.

3. Indian secularism has made room for and is compatible with the idea of state supported
religious reform.
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SECULAR FEATURES OF INDIAN SECULARISM

The constitution of India beings with the following words:

We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into Sovereign Socialist,
Secular, Democratic, Republic and to secure to its citizen.

The basic secular features are:

● The state will not compel any citizen to pay taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any
particular religion or religions institution mentioned under Article 27 of the fundamental
rights.

● No religious education shall be provided in any educational institution wholly funded by

state funds.

● Every person is guaranteed the freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practice
and propagate his own religion.

● There is the right guaranteed to every religious group or domination in India.

SECULARISM IN THE WEST

The liberal school of thought characterised secular state as one where they're is no
established religion of the state. That is, this principle has been taken to explain, that the
state is a secular institution and it has nothing to do with religion neither accepts nor rejects
but has let it to the individual conscience. Each has a separate sphere of its own with
independent jurisdiction. This type of secularism can be found in the USA. Here the object of
the state is not negative but positive. It remains non-religious because in a multi-religion
society, its object is to give equal freedom to all citizens in religious political, economic and
other aspects. It does not promote one religion at the cost of other religion. It's role is neutral
with regard to religions. The first amendment to the constitution of the USA incorporated
the clause that Congress shall not make any law establishing religion, or to prevent the free
exercise thereof, or to infringe the right of conscience. Therefore, USS has accepted the
principle of the separation of the Church from the state as measuring rod of its concept of the
Secular State. The Edict of Milan of Roman Emperor Constantine made the practice
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some what better in terms of the following proclamation: “Liberty of worship shall not be
denied to any but that the mind and the will of every Indian shall be free to manage divine
affairs according to his own choice”.

DISTINCTIVE BETWEEN WESTERN SECULARISM AND INDIAN SECULARISM

1. Attention is given to minority rights in Western Secularism but in Indian Secularism

less attention is given to community based rights.

2. Western Secularism believes in strict non - interfererence of tel and state in each
other's affairs but in Indian Secularism state supported religions reforms are
allowed. That means the state will not interfere in the affairs of the state.

3. In Western Secularism individual and his rights are at the centre but in Indian
Secularism rights of both individual and religious community is protected.

4. Equality between different religions groups is a key concern in Western Secularism.

But in the case of India Secularism equality between different sects of religion is
emphasised.

CRITICISMS OF INDIAN SECULARISM

1. MINORITISM: India professes to be a secular state. Yet very often we find communal
politics in the country. Every now and then we witness communal disturbances and riots in
one state or the other.

2. ANTI-RELIGIOUS: While our constitution has been based on Secularism or Dharma

Nirpekshta, our society is stepped in religion. Observance of religious festivals and rituals is
a part of our day to day life
.
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3. INTERVENTIONIST: The representation of the people act provides that appeals made on
the groups of religion to gather votes would be deemed to be a corrupt practice and would
disqualify a candidate but this happen as a rule in all our elections. All political parties use
religion to gather votes. Vote banks are systematically built on the basis of caste and religion
and the very leaders who take advantage of these vote banks do so in the name of
Secularism. This has been the hypocrisy of our secular democracy.

4. NOT SECULAR: Prohibition on cow slaughter is contained in the Article 48 of the

constitution which direct the state to prohibit cow slaughter and accordingly, many of the
state have passed the legislation to that effect which cannot be called a secular action.

5. IMPOSSIBLE PROJECT: Performance of Religious Ceremonies and other practices in

our National Life, are contrary to the spirit of Secularism. For example every year, the Govt.
recognises and we observe many public holidays on religious festivals and holidays of all the
communities. It may be submitted that many inconsistencies are found in the Indian
Secularism because the common people by and large are stepped in superstition and
ignorance and our leaders have not followed the principle of secularism strictly in their
public life.
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CONCLUSION

This strength of the Hindu religion is now viewed as a weakness. Secularism in the Indian
context should imply respect for pluralism and a non-coercive and a voluntary recourse to
change. Respect for diversity not only embodies the democratic spirit, it is the real
guarantee of unity. We should value democratic, not fascistic, unity. No democratic society
can downgrade diversity and pluralism in the name of unity. Secular ethics can be
strengthened only when the acts of vandalism are sternly dealt with and the guilty are made
to pay for it. With secularism that insists on the inalienable rights of the citizens and a due
process of law, it will be easier to mount public pressure against sectarian killers and those
who promote hatred. The battle of secularism and democracy has also to be fought at the
grass root levels where a set ideals generating strong idealism is required to mobilize and
prepare the masses for struggle.

Secularism has to play a decisive role at present stage of Indian democracy. It is so because
today when the Indian democracy seems to face the challenge of narrow divisive trends and
tendencies, a rational and scientific approach which is the basis of secularism has become a
matter of utmost importance. Communal disturbances which have distinguished the public
life in the recent past, as well the birth and growth of narrow and divisive trends and
obscurantist theories are mainly the result of ignorance can be fought not by legislation
alone, nor by a negative fiat alone, but by education, and in the process of educating the
traditional Indian mind, secularism and all that it stands for the political leaders have to
play an important role.

In the end, secularism begins in the heart of every individual. There should be no feeling of
"otherness" as we all have is a shared history. India being a traditional society that contains
not one, but many traditions owing their origin in part to the different religions that exist
here, has so far managed to retain the secular character of its polity. Ours is a society where
Sufis and Bhakti saints have brought in a cultural acceptance for each other. Are we going
to let it all go to waste and listen to people who have concern for their careers as politicians
or leaders rather than our welfare at heart? Let us instead concentrate our efforts at making
India a powerful and progressive nation.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

● [Link]
● [Link]

Political Theory
For First Year by
Dr. K. Ch. Paul,
Prof. A. Chakravarthy and
Dr. N. Paul