Short Answer type Question:
Q1. Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
(b) Recognition of a state religion.
(c) Equal state support to all religions.
(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
Answer
(a) Compatible
Secularism opposes all forms of inter-religious domination.
(b) Not Compatible
Secular state has no official religion.
(c) Compatible
In Secularism, all regions are treated similar.
(d) No Compatible
Making religious activity compulsory is not accepted in secular state.
(e) Compatible
Minority community should be given right to to maintain its cultural identity.
(f) Not Compatible
Government should not interfere or involve in any kind of religious activity.
(g) Compatible
Government should prevent discrimination and provides equal rights to every social group.
Q2. Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs. | State supported religious reforms allowed. |
| Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. | Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised |
| Attention to minority rights | Less attention to community based rights |
| Individual and his rights at the centre | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
Answer
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| State supported religious reforms allowed. | Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs. |
| Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. | Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. |
| Less attention to community based rights. | Attention to minority rights |
| Individual and his rights at the centre. | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
Q3. What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
Answer
Secularism opposes all such forms of inter-religious domination. Secularism cannot be equated with religious tolerance as tolerance may be compatible with religious domination by one group. It promotes freedom within religions, and equality between, as well as within, religions.
Q4. Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.
(a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
(b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
(c) Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
Answer
(a) Secularism allow us to have a religious identity. In India, people enjoy freedom of religion.A citizen can have a religious identity and can practice, preserve and develop their religion and religious institutions.
(b) The Indian government tries to maintain equality within religious groups to prevent discrimination and eradicate practices that are derogatory to human dignity.
(c) India has diverse culture, ethnicity and religion. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure equal treatment to all groups both within and between different religions to maintain harmony and integrate the country.
Q5. Indian secularism focuses on more than the religion-state separation. Explain.
Answer
Indian secularism does not only focus on the religion-state separation but it is also concerned with peace, religious freedom, freedom from religiously grounded oppression, discrimination and exclusion, as also inter-religious and intra-religious equality. To promote these ends the state must be separated from organised religion and its institutions for the sake of some of these values. Indian secularism allows every religion to flourish and develop. The Indian state allows the promotion of all religions and treats each of them equally. The state does not interfere in religious matters but it checks the influence of religion in public life.
Q6. Explain the concept of principled distance.
Answer
Principle distance means a secular state should not interfere in any religion actively to promote peace between communities and it may also intervene to protect the rights of specific communities. The state gives equal preference to every religion and respects them all equally.However, the state may interfere if religious groups try to exercise their power on the political and social life of the people. This balanced distance of state from any religion is the concept of principled distance.
Long Answer Type Questions :
Q1.What are the elements to make India a secular state and suggestions to strengthen secularism in India?
Answer:
A secular state:
- Consider religion and belief as a personal matter of individual.
- Civil administration is free from domination of religious parties and organisations.
- Laws made by elected representatives are enforced only.
- Political system should not be theocratic.
- No discrimination should be made in job opportunity and recognition of status.
- Fraternity should be recognised.
Elements to make India a secular state:
- State has no religion at its own.
- State is neutral and impartial in matters of religion.
- Every citizen has a right to adopt or profess any religion and to practicise in one’s own way.
- No one can be discriminated on the ground of religion.
- Minorities have been guaranteed the right to establish and run their educational institutions for protection of their language, script and culture.
- state cannot compel an individual to embrace or renounce any religion.
Suggestions to strengthen secularism:
- Religion should be kept separate from state politics.
- The political parties based upon religion or encourage communalism should be banned.
- If any candidate or political party campaigns on the ground of religions sentiments, should be punished or banned forever.
- Education should be imparted to students from the very first stage to embrace the principles of secularism along with scientific and national thinking.
Q2.Mention the constitutional provisions in India to promote secularism.
Answer:
- The preamble to the constitution speaks of the liberty in important matters like faith, worship and belief.
- Article 14 states not to deny equality before law within the territory of India.
- Article 15 states not to discrimination any citizen on the grounds of caste, colour, race, religion, etc. and not to deny access to public places also.
- Article 16 states not to discriminate among individuals on any ground in matters of public employment or to deny admission in educational institutions.
- Article 17 declares untouchability a punishable offence under law.
- Article 25 provides right to adopt, practices, profess and propogate any religion of one’s choice.
- Article 26 provides to have rights to establish and maintain institutions for religions and charitable purposes, to mange its own affairs of religion, to own and acquire movable and immovable property and to administer it as well.
- Article 27 states that no person shall be compelled to pay taxes to proceed the payment of expenses for promotion and maintenance of particular religions denomination.
- Article 28 states that no religions instructions shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained by the state.
- Article 29 provides that the state shall not impose upon it any culture other than community’s own culture.
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