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SECULARISM AND EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATIONS IN

INDIA

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 14

SECULARISM AND EDUCATIONAL

IMPLICATIONS IN INDIA

Mrs. rchana Yadav, Assistant Professor

School of Education
Central niversity of Haryana, Mahendergarh
E-Mail – archanabmd1988@gmail.com

Abstract:
Education is not just one of, but the most important dominion of our national life.
Needless to reiterate that education holds the key to development and progress
in every sphere of our existence. From an integrated and synergic viewpoint,
educational system constitutes the foundation of the legal, administrative, civic
and developmental domains of unfolding India of tomorrow. True enough,
education is a ‘vast, shapeless and vexatious subject’. In a country of continental
proportions, with its different communities and people with different socio-
economic backgrounds, and literally living in different centuries in terms of
thought, the aims of education can be at variance with the thoughts of experts
in the field. And even among the latter, there are different perceptions.

Keywords: Secularism, educational implications, India

1. INTRODUCTION
Education is a human right and essential for the exercise of all other
human rights. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment and
128 Innovations In Social Science And Humanities
yields important development benefits. Yet millions of children remain
deprived of educational opportunities, many as a result of poverty.
Normative instruments of the United Nations and UNESCO lay
down international legal obligations for the right to education. These
instruments promote and develop the right of every person to enjoy
access to education of good quality, without any discrimination. These
instruments bear witness to the great importance that Member States and
the international community attach to normative action for realizing the
right to education. After the completion of five decades of our existence
as a democratic, sovereign republic, it is but appropriate that we look
back at the track that we have traversed, take note of our successes and
failures in different spheres of our national life, consolidate the gains
and correct the mistakes, and march ahead towards a better future.
Hence, his debate on systemic educational reforms.

Education is the Key Instrument in bringing the Social Change in any

society all over the world. Education is a human right with immense
power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom,
democracy, and sustainable human development. Education is desired
for itself as it opens up a vast world of opportunities and ideas to the
educated person. It is also of great instrumental value in the process
of economic growth and development. Education plays a critical role in
demographic transition;

female education, in particular, is seen to important in the process

of economic growth and development. Education also plays a critical
role in the process of lowering fertility and mortality. Professional
Education is associated with better Human resources outcomes. There
is a strong correlation between literacy and life expectancy. The returns
to education are large and positive. Education has been seen to have
positive impact on economic output. In political and social terms too,
education creates the literate population and a more constructive
citizenry. Education empowers and empowerment affects larger social
process. Education empowers and empowerment affects larger has
been reflected in increased budgetary allocations to basic education,
compulsory schooling legislation, and widespread media attention to
education development issues.

It is imperative that sufficient care is taken to see that the mistakes are
not repeated. The failures of the past must become the guidelines for the
future if the reforms are to become a reality. Therefore any meaningful
effort at educational reform needs to concentrate on the following areas.
The basic flaw in the present system is that it fails to reflect the national
Secularism and Educational Implications in India 129
ethos adequately. The national spirit which marked the educational
efforts during pre-Independence Days was conspicuous by its absence in
the post- independence era. The term ethos is to be understood in its
three interpretation aspects:

• Philosophy and concept of education

• National vision and perspective
• Relevance to the national needs

2. SECULARISM AND EDUCATIONAL IMPLICATION

The word secularism was first used in the 19th century by George
Jacob Holyoake. He derived it from the latin word “saeculum” meaning
“this present age” .he used it in the context of social and ethical value
or system. Thus secularism came to be known as a social and ethical
system. It primarily emphasize on natural and cultural improvements
of human beings. Secularism can be defined as, “a system of doctrines
and practices that rejects any form of religious faith and worship”.
Indian concept of secularism requires that there shall be no state
religion and the state shall treat all religion equally. In the word of
great Mahatma Gandhi, “My veneration for other faiths is the same
as for any one faith”. We believe in Sarvadharma samabhavana, equal
place for all faith and creeds.

Concept of Secularism
The word secularism did not occur in the Indian constitution as enacted
on 26 November 1949. However subsequently it was incorporated in the
pre amble with the 42nd constitutional amendment in 1976. Dr. B.R.
Ambedkar the principal architect of our constitution explains secularism
in the following words; “secular states does not mean that it shall not
take in to consideration the religious sentiments of the people. That
entire secular state means is that the parliament shall not be competent
to impose any particular religion upon the rest of the people. This is the
only limitation that the constitution recognizes.

(Parliamentary Debates 1951, Vol 3rd, part 2nd ).Dr. Rajendra Prasad,
first president of India has very clearly observed that becoming secular,
India has not been anti religion or religious. He stated, “There are some who
thinks that because we are a secular state we do not believe in religion or
spiritual values. Far from being so, it really means that in this country
all free to profess or preach the faith of their liking and that we wish
well of all religions and want them to develop in their own way without
130 Innovations In Social Science And Humanities
any hindrance” Jawahar Lal Nehru, explained the secular nature of our
state. “it means while religions are completely free, the state including
in its wide fold various religions and culture, gives protections and
opportunities to all and thus brings about an atmosphere of tolerance
and cooperation.

India as a Secular State:

Ours is a secular state. It means that state shall not discriminate against
the followers of a particular religion. All Indian-Hindus, Muslims,
Sikhs, Christians and others have the freedom to preach their religions.
Secularism has been made one of the basic elements of the structure of
the constitution of India. According to the fundamental right to practice
religion was conferred on all persons by article 25 and 26, protection
against levy of tax for promotion of any religion was conferred under
article 27.

The Characteristics of Secular States are:

• The state as such as no religion of its own.
• It does not award preferential treatment to the followers of any
faith.
• It does not discriminate against any person on account of his faith.
• All citizens are eligible to enter government service irrespective
of the faith.

Characteristics of secular education:

Secular education is identified with the following characteristics:

• Moral out look

• Development of wider vision
• Pluralistic out look
• Democratic values
• Cultural development
• Synthesis of spiritual and material
• Humanitarianism

3. EDUCATION FOR SECULARISM IN INDIA

Indian present educational system promotes secular attitudes and
values through its broad based aims, curriculum, enlightened teachers
Secularism and Educational Implications in India 131
and appropriate activities, progressivism, rationality, freedom from bigotry
and equal respect for all religion. The following traits characterize
education for secularism in India:

• Secular aims
• Democratic organization of educational institutions
• Multiple curriculums
• Science teaching
• Enlightened teachers
The present Indian educational system is trying to create a social
climate in the country, in which secular values are sought to be promoted
effectively and enthusiastically.

Indian concept of Secularism:

• Sarva-dharma-samantva or sarva-dharma-samabhavana-equal
regard for all faiths and creeds
• Ekam Brahma Vipra Bahuda vadanti- god is one, wise man call
him by different names.
Constitutional provisions regarding imparting of religious and secular
education:
1. Article 28(1) states that no religious instructions shall be
provided in any educational institutions wholly maintained
out of state funds.

2. No persons attending any educational institutions recognized

by the state or receiving aid out of state fund shall be required
to take part in any religious instructions without his consent
in the case of a minor, consent of his guardian is needed.

4. REASON FOR IMPARTING SECULAR EDUCATION

1. Secular education develops a moral out look
2. Secular education helps in the development liberal attitudes
and values
3. It develops wider vision
4. It develops an attitude of appreciation and understanding of
others point of view
5. It develops democratic values and humanistic outlook
6. Secular education synthesis materialism and spiritualism
7. Secular education serves as an antidote to religious fanaticism
and hatred
132 Innovations In Social Science And Humanities
In a multi religious country like India, the spirit of secularism is to be
developed in order to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.
Education should play a positive role in preparing people for a secular
society and a purposeful life. We hope secularism will develop in to a
stronger force leading to the social unity of India when institutionalized
religions gradually lose their coercive hold on the young generations.

5. CONCLUSION
Many positive steps have been taken to promote secularism in the
country. It is laid down in the constitution that religious minorities are
free to establish their educational institutions from grant. Secularism
is a philosophy of moral education. Secular behavior springs in the
school from the influence of school through the conduct and behavior
of teachers themselves and life in the school community as a whole. All
the activities and programs of school must strive for the inculcation of
values of love, truth and tolerance.

REFERENCES:

[1]. AIR 1995 SC 604 at 630; Quoted by M.P. Jain; Indian

Constitutional Law; Fifth Edition; Reprint 2007 by Wadhwa
Nagpur; , at pp. 1201-1202
[2]. AIR 1973 SC 1461; Quoted by Dr. J.N. Pandey; The Constitutional
Law of India; 48th Edn. 2011 published by Central Law Agency,
Allahabad p. 773
[3]. AIR 1994 SC 1918; Quoted by Dr. J.N. Pandey; The Constitutional
Law of India; 48th Edn. 2011 published by Central Law Agency,
Allahabad., at p. 326
[4]. P.M. Bakshi; The Constitution of India; Universal Law
Publishing Co. New Delhi; Eleventh Edn. [5]. 2011; pp. 72-77
[6]. H.V. Kamath, in 7 C.A.D. (1948) 837, quoted by M.V. Pylee,
Constitutional Government of India (1960) 253
[7]. Christopher Marlowe, The Jew of Malta, 1.14 And cf. with gen-
eral tenor of the above paragraph
R. Carrington, A Million Years of Man (1963) 280-81; B. Malinowski,
Foundations of Faith and Morals (1936) 1
[8]. Talcott Parsons, Structure and Process in Modern Societies
(1960) Glencoe: The Free Press,

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