Secularism UPSC – Secularism in India

Features of Secularism

The features of Indian Secularism are as follows:

• Equal respect and recognition of all religions by the state
• No interference in the functions of any religion by the state
• No discrimination by the state based on religion
• There is no official religion in India
• As per Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, an individual has the right to practice, profess and propagate any religion in India

History of Secularism

Secularism is very deep-rooted in Indian History. Let’s take a look at Secularism during the ancient, medieval, and modern periods.

Secularism in Ancient India

India has various religions, and they have co-existed and evolved together for centuries.

• The development of the four Vedas and interpretations of the Upanishads and Puranas highlight the concept of Secularism in Hinduism.
• In ancient India, Hinduism was allowed to develop as a holistic religion by welcoming various spiritual traditions.
• There are many temples built in ancient times that show the coexistence of different religions and faiths.
• Emperor Ashoka was the first emperor to announce that the state would not prosecute any religious sect.
• Secularism in India is not a new concept at all, and it is as old as the Indus Valley Civilization.
• The quest for the coexistence of different religions continued even after the appearance of Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, and Islam on Indian soil.
• In ancient India, people had freedom of religion, and the state granted citizenship regardless of religion.

Secularism in Medieval India

Bhakti and Sufi Movements sustained secularism in India in the Medieval period. They spread the positives of Secularism such as brotherhood, tolerance, peace, universalism, and harmony in society.

• Some of the leaders of these movements were Kabir Das, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, Guru Nanak Dev, Baba Farid, Mira Bai, and Saint Tukaram.
• Religious toleration and freedom of worship marked the state under Akbar. The evidence of his tolerance policy was this promulgation of the Divine Faith or Din-i-Ilahi, which had elements of both Hindu and Muslim faiths.
• Another example was the construction of Ibadat Khana where different religious leaders were allowed to express their opinions.
• Akbar had several Hindus as his ministers as well.

Secularism in Modern India

After Aurangzeb, India came under the control of the East India Company and the British Raj, and in this period, Secularism was strengthened through the freedom movement of India.

• The ‘Divide and Rule’ policy contributed to communal discord between various communities. Separate electorates were provided for the Muslims during the British Raj, through the Indian Councils Act of 1909.
• The separate electorates further extended the principle of communal representation.
• However, the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885 with secular values helped to unite the people from all sects.

Secularism in India

The term ‘Secularism’ is first reflected in the Preamble of India.

• The government is separate from religion.
• The philosophy of Indian Secularism is related to ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhava’, and this concept is promoted by personalities like Mahatma Gandhi and Swami Vivekananda.
• India doesn’t have an official state religion. However different personal laws on matters like divorce, marriage, inheritance, and alimony vary with one’s religion.
• Indian Secularism is all about achieving the peaceful coexistence of various religions.
• India respects all religions on par with one another.

Secularism in the Indian Constitution

The term ‘Secular’ was added to the preamble by the 42nd Constitution Amendment Act of 1976. It states that constitutionally, India is a secular country without any state religion. And it also says India shall accept all religions and not favour any particular religion.

• Article 14 and 15 – Article 14 grants equality before the law, and protection of all laws to all religions, and Article 15 prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, religion, sex, caste, or place of birth.
• Article 16 (1)- guarantees equal opportunities to all citizens in case of public employment and states there won’t be any discrimination based on sex, religion, caste, descent, birthplace, and residence.
• Article 25- provides ‘Freedom of Conscience’
• Article 26- every religious group has the right to maintain and establish institutions for religious purposes.
• Article 27- the state won’t compel any citizen to pay extra taxes for the maintenance or promotion of any religious institution or religion.
• Article 28- allows educational institutions maintained by different religious groups to impart religious instruction
• Articles 29 and 30 provide educational and cultural rights to the minorities.
• Article 51 A- obliges that all citizens of India promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood to value and preserve the rich heritage of the composite culture.

Secularism and Article 25 of the Constitution of India

The Constitution of India guarantees six fundamental rights to its all citizens, and one of these rights is the freedom of religion. Article 25 provides:

• Freedom of Conscience
• Right to Practice any Religion
• Right to Propagate any Religion
• Right to Profess any Religion

Article 25 covers religious beliefs, and religious practices as well. And these rights are available for citizens and non-citizens as well.

Indian Secularism vs. Secularism in the West

Over the years India has created its own concept of Secularism which is different from the Western concept of Secularism.

Indian Secularism	Secularism in the West
All religions get equal protection from the state	The state is separate from the religious groups or institutions’ functioning.
There no no clear demarcation between religion and state in India	Here Secularism refers to the complete separation between religion and state
Provides partial financial support for religious schools	Western model doesn’t give financial support to any religious institution
Rights of religious communities and individuals are protected	Focus given to individual rights
The role of religious bodies is big and contributes to Indian politics	The role of religious bodies is small in national politics.
No one religion dominates Indian society	Christianity is the most reformed and single-dominant religion in the state.

Secularism – Way Forward

There is a need to identify a shared set of values that allows diverse groups to live together. Education is the best way to educate the younger generation about the value of their own religious traditions and also other religions in the country.