Notes

INTRODUCTION
In the Indian way of life religion plays an important role and the
basis of our day-to-day life is religion. Political leaders right from the
beginning felt that if there is any possibility of retaining unity in India,
it should be by remaining secular. That is why Gandhiji had been
preaching brotherhood among the different religious groups. Nehru
was a strong supporter of secularism. Their efforts could not divorce
religion from politics rather in politics the vested interests started
exploiting caste and religion for gaining political advantage.
जब भारत वतं आ तो भारत दो दे शो म वभा जत हो गया, that was India and

Pakistan but even after independence the religious fervor could not be
finished
य क वभजन क tragedy अभी भी लोगो के अंदर थी, लोग वाग धम के नाम पर लड़
रहे ह
If you see in India here you will find almost all the religion in the world
and there is so difficult to separate religion from politics.
Religion and politics are inseparable; they have always been
intertwined in a
complex way
Every society has religious beliefs, rites and organization. Religion

very often influences our understanding of
everyday life. In many societies religion affects the way we relate to
each other. Our religious beliefs often guide our social interaction.
Religion can be a unifying factor in some societies. However, in some
societies it can be a matter of conflict.
Therefore, it is very clear that religion is a social phenomena. It is

related with politics,
In India religion always served politics and politics has often served
religion.
Today the debate in India is primarily focussed on communalism,

secularism , nationalism etc.
You will see , धा मक थान का उपयोग राजनी तक चार के लए कया जाता है and
राजनी तक नयं ण हा सल करने के लए लोग क धा मक भावना को उ े जत कया
जाता है।
After the 75 years of independence, we see communal violence in

india even today,
Communalism it must be asserted at the outset is not in the main

about religion.
“…It can be defined…” as an ideology which envisages the religious
community as a political group committed to the protection and
promotion of its social and economic interests and cultural values but
Asserting that communal conflict has little to do with religion itself,

but with
its, use by the politicians for their vested interests..
हमारा भारत एक Secular दे श है, our India is a secular country and it is

written in the preamble of the constitution, that WE, THE PEOPLE OF
INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN
SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its
citizens:
The Partition in India with its communal holocaust and forced

migration and
its Independence gave rise to an intense debate about what
the character of the new nation-state should be: Secular, i.e.,
multi-community with equal rights for all?, Socialist? or Hindu?
जब भारत आजाद आ और पा क तान एक दे श बना तो पा क तान एक धा मक दे श बना,
और इसने कुछ ह म ये भावना जगाद क भारत को भी ह रा होना चा हए
But Indian culture is totally based on Vasudeva kutumbkam , and the
Sarva dharma Sambhav
And हम एक secular दे श बने, ले कन Western secular concept के साथ नह
यूं क that is not relevant in India. Here it implies an impartiality of the
state in its dealings with citizens professing different faiths
(Sarva Dharma Sambhav).
The Indian Constitution reflects a national consensus about the vision

of a secular Indian polity which emerged during the national struggle
Secularism in Indian constitution Preamble : India a secular republic ;

Liberty of belief , faith , and worship
In 1976 by the 42nd constitution amendment act word secular was
added in the preamble of our constitution.
ले कन या उससे पहले से युलर नह थे? हम थे
In the indian constitution
Article 14 , 15 , 16 : Rights to equality
Article 25 : Freedom of conscience and free profession , practice and
propagation of religion
Article 29 : Protection of interests of minorities . • Article 30 : rights of
minorities to establish and administer educational institutions •
Defining Secularism is a very difficult task, य क इसक कोई एक न त

प रभाषा: नह है,
Western notion of secularism
The concept of secularism originated in mid-eighteenth-century

Enlightenment ideas, which were first incorporated in the French
Constitution following the French Revolution(1789)
Secularism in the Western sense opposes open displays of religion,

with the exception of places of worship.
all religious institutions and organizations are distinct from the

operation of the state.
The state thinks that religion should be free of all interference. If

religion is interfering with the state's ability to function, the state has
the authority to limit citizens' rights.
Indian Secularism:
In India, secularism does not mean separation of religion from
state. Instead, secularism in India means a state that is neutral to all
religious groups.
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.
Differences from the Western concept:
Indian concept of secularism is different from the Western concept

of secularism.
In the West it is conceived as complete separation of state

and religion. Although in India secularism is not separate from
religion. Rather state sees all religion as equal.
The Western secularism means total non-interference of state and

Religion in the functioning of each other.
On the other hand, in India the concept is not restricted to the
question of how the religious groups are to be treated. Instead,
secularism develops a
positive relation between the state and religion.
Indian concept of secularism is broader than western concept. This

can be understood by the following points:
Focus on Harmony: Indian secularism focus on harmony among all

religions than tight separation between state and religion.
Prevent conflicts: It allows state to prevent conflicts on basis

of religion through timely interventions which would have been
disastrous for state if not controlled.
Religious reforms: Indian secularism is broader in a sense that it
allows state intervention to help reform various evils and superstition.
E.g many rules in Karnataka allowed the government to curb
superstitions that were against human rights.
Protection of rights: By accepting community-based rights for

religious minorities, state can protect rights of Indian citizens.
Tolerance: By acceptance of all religions rather than tight separation

it reflects tolerant attitude of state and its people.
Faith in constitution: Secularism in India helped in keeping rights of

its citizens allowing a deeper faith in polity and constitution.
Liberal: Indian secularism is more liberal in a sense it is not neutral

rather accept every religion in a broader sense. It allows its citizens to
preach whatever religion they want to follow.
Egalitarian: Many religiously sanctioned social practices are

oppressive by virtue of their illiberal and inegalitarian character, and
deny a life of dignity and self-respect. Therefore, Indian secularism
help liberal and egalitarian principles by reforming such practices
through state intervention. E.g upholding rights of women through
various acts.
Thus Indian secularism is broader than western in a way, it provide

state a chance to reform the evils in any religion keeping the rights of
individuals
intact. The state in India walked a tight rope between the requirement
of
religious liberty and the demand for equality and justice. Secularism
in India
simply had to be different from the western liberal model that does
not recognize communities, and dictates strict separation between
religious and political institutions.
Indian Secularism : Landmark Events

Sah Bano Case : 1985 • HC of MP and SC ruled that Sah Bano had
right to maintenance by her ex - husband as per Cr PC 125 • Under
pressure from widespread protest by Muslims , Parliament enacted
law which overturned the court orders
Babri Masjid Demolition • Mir Baki , Babur's commander , is supposed

to have destroyed a temple to built Babri Masjid in 1528 • British
Govt . allowed worship on small platform close to the Mosque after
attack on the mosque by Hindu ascetics • In 1949 , idol of infant Ram
( Ram Lalla ) was claimed to appear inside the Mosque which was
locked to maintain peace • 1986 , through court order but support
from central Govt , locks of Babri Masjid were opened permitting
worship
1984 Sikh and 2002 Gujrat riots .
Secular nationalism is India’s ideology, it has its roots in National

movement. It implies that all religions are treated as equal in the
sense that none will dominate the functioning of the state. But the
term ‘secular’ does not mean separation of state from religion, but
implies neutrality of state to all religions. Secularism, in India means
religious equidistance, but not non-involvement. Here religion is not
the determinant of Indians citizenship, it is their birth right.

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INTRODUCTION

जब भारत वतं आ तो भारत दो दे शो म वभा जत हो गया, that was India and

Every society has religious beliefs, rites and organization. Religion

Therefore, it is very clear that religion is a social phenomena. It is

Today the debate in India is primarily focussed on communalism,

After the 75 years of independence, we see communal violence in

Communalism it must be asserted at the outset is not in the main

Asserting that communal conﬂict has little to do with religion itself,

हमारा भारत एक Secular दे श है, our India is a secular country and it is

The Partition in India with its communal holocaust and forced

The Indian Constitution reﬂects a national consensus about the vision

Secularism in Indian constitution Preamble : India a secular republic ;

Deﬁning Secularism is a very diﬃcult task, य क इसक कोई एक न त

Western notion of secularism

The concept of secularism originated in mid-eighteenth-century

Secularism in the Western sense opposes open displays of religion,

all religious institutions and organizations are distinct from the

The state thinks that religion should be free of all interference. If

Indian secularism deals not only with religious freedom of

Differences from the Western concept:

Indian concept of secularism is different from the Western concept

In the West it is conceived as complete separation of state

The Western secularism means total non-interference of state and

Indian concept of secularism is broader than western concept. This

Focus on Harmony: Indian secularism focus on harmony among all

Prevent conﬂicts: It allows state to prevent conﬂicts on basis

Protection of rights: By accepting community-based rights for

Tolerance: By acceptance of all religions rather than tight separation

Faith in constitution: Secularism in India helped in keeping rights of

Liberal: Indian secularism is more liberal in a sense it is not neutral

Egalitarian: Many religiously sanctioned social practices are

Thus Indian secularism is broader than western in a way, it provide

Indian Secularism : Landmark Events

Babri Masjid Demolition • Mir Baki , Babur's commander , is supposed

1984 Sikh and 2002 Gujrat riots .

Secular nationalism is India’s ideology, it has its roots in National

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