Secularism in India (7) 2

Dear Children, after learning this lesson You will be able to
1.Acquire knowledge about major world
religions in brief
2.Define the term ‘secularism’
3.Understand the need to separate religion
from the State
4.Explain secularism in Indian Context

HISTORY OF SECULARISM
Examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion
Jews in Germany – by Hitler

Muslims and Christians in Israel
All non - Muslims in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan
What is root cause of this type of Domination?
one religion is given official recognition by the

State at the expense of other religions.
In India, can the State discriminate against citizens on the grounds of
their religion?
• Religious freedom for all -The Indian Constitution allows individuals
the freedom to live by their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret
these.
• Separating the power of religion and the power of the

State.
• No discrimination by the state only on the basis of

religion.
•The concept of “My Nation” is a highest goal of citizen

and not the concept of “My Religion”.
MAJOR
RELIGIONS
IN INDIA
They are
1.Hinduism
2.Jainism
3.Buddhism
4.Sikhism
Almost all the major religions of the world
have their origin only in Asia.
Taoism
Hinduism
Islam
Christianity
Zoroastrianism Confucianism
All World
Religions must
teach the
path of love,
tolerance and
peace.
• If this majority religious group has access to State power, then it could quite
easily use this power and financial resources to discriminate against and
persecute persons of other religions.
•This tyranny of the majority could result in the discrimination, coercion and at
times even violence .
• The majority could quite easily prevent minorities from practising their religions
• Any form of domination based on religion is in violation of the rights that a

democratic society guarantees to each and every citizen irrespective of their
religion.
The Dominant and tyrannical group inside the religion may not allow
the other interpretations of the religion to come up if they have the power of the
state in their hands.
Eg.
• So called ‘Higher Castes’ against ‘untouchables’ – among Hindus
• Shia Muslims against Sunni Muslims – in Islam
• Catholics against Protestants – in Christianity
The Constitution of India by providing for a ‘secular
state’ ensures 3 things:
1.One religious community does not dominate

another
2. Some members do not dominate other members

of the same religious community
3. The State does not enforce any particular

religion nor take away the religious freedom of
individuals.
Providing exceptions to respect the sentiments of all religions
Intervention by prevention Intervention by support
• The removal of • The grant of rights to the

Untouchability – as it
religious communities for
violates the Fundamental
Rights of ‘lower castes’ - establishing and running
Hindus
their own Educational
• Banning of Tripple Talak –
institutions
Muslims
• Ban of infanticide.
.
Some of the objectives are similar like :
• Both cannot declare any religion as the official
religion
• Both can not give preference to one religion .
Secularism in USA Secularism in India
The strict separation between The State can intervene in religious
religion and the State - In the U.S.A. affairs
the separation between State and Eg.
religion means that neither the State •Removal of Untouchability
nor religion can interfere in the •Ban of Tripple Talak
affairs of one another. •Excerption to wear Helmet to Sikhs
This photo shows students taking the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ in a government
school in the U.S.A.
This is not compulsary for all in USA as the phrase “Under God” is
assumed as religious
“It is an indivisible, secular, democratic and social Republic,
guaranteeing that all citizens regardless of their origin, race or religion
are treated as equals before the law and respecting all religious beliefs"
In February 2004,
France passed a law banning
students from wearing any
conspicuous religious or political
signs or symbols such as the Islamic
headscarf, the Jewish skullcap, or
l a rg e C h r i s t i a n c r o s s e s . T h i s
encountered a lot of resistance from
immigrants mainly from former French

There are many non – secular
countries in the world. Do you think that all
the countries of the world should become
secular? Justify your answer with reasons.
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Answer the following questions:
1.List the important World religions.

2.What is meant by secularism?
3.Do you think any particular religion may be declared as
state religion in India? Why?
4.What are the three things that the Constitution of India
ensure through secular state?
1. Draw a poster depicting religious tolerance.
2. Discuss for and against the following statement:
“Teaching of Religious principles is necessary in
Educational Institutions”.
3. In Indian context how do you define secularism?

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Dear Children, after learning this lesson You will be able to

1.Acquire knowledge about major world

2.Define the term ‘secularism’

3.Understand the need to separate religion

from the State

4.Explain secularism in Indian Context

Jews in Germany – by Hitler

What is root cause of this type of Domination?

one religion is given official recognition by the

• Separating the power of religion and the power of the

• No discrimination by the state only on the basis of

•The concept of “My Nation” is a highest goal of citizen

• Any form of domination based on religion is in violation of the rights that a

state in their hands.

1.One religious community does not dominate

2. Some members do not dominate other members

3. The State does not enforce any particular

• The removal of • The grant of rights to the

guaranteeing that all citizens regardless of their origin, race or religion

students from wearing any

conspicuous religious or political

signs or symbols such as the Islamic

headscarf, the Jewish skullcap, or

encountered a lot of resistance from

immigrants mainly from former French

1.List the important World religions.

2. Discuss for and against the following statement:

“Teaching of Religious principles is necessary in

3. In Indian context how do you define secularism?

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