[Answered] What is secularism? Discuss how Indian concept of secularism is broader than western concept?

Demand of the question
Introduction. What is secularism?
Body. Difference between Indian and western secularism. How Indian secularism is broad?
Conclusion. Conclusion.

Secularism is the principle that determine the relationship between government and the religion. It plays an important role in a diverse country like India. The 42nd amendment of the Constitution of India, amended the Preamble of the Constitution declaring India as a secular nation. In India secularism means state view all religions as equal.

Secularism in India:

  • In Indiasecularism does not mean separation of religion from state. Instead, secularism in India means a state that is neutral to all religious groups.
  • The 7th schedule of Indian constitution places religious institutions, charities and trusts into Concurrent List, which means that both the central government of India, and various state governments in India can make their own laws about religious institutions, charities and trusts.

Differences from the Western concept:

  • Indian concept of secularism is different from the Western concept of secularism. In the West it is conceived as separation of state and religion. Although in India secularism is not separate from religion. Rather state see 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.

How Indian concept of secularism is broader than western concept?

  1. Focus on Harmony than separation principle: Indian secularism focus on harmony among all religions than tight separation between state and religion.
  2. Decreased conflicts: It allow state to prevent conflicts on basis of religion through timely interventions which would have been disastrous for state if not controlled.
  3. Room for religious reforms: Indiansecularism is broader in a sense that it allowstate intervention to help reform various evils and superstition. E.g many rules in Karnataka allowed the government to curb superstition that were against human rights.
  4. Protect rights over religion: By accepting community-based rights for religious minorities, state can protect rights of Indian citizens.
  5. Tolerance: By acceptance of all religions rather than tight separation it reflects tolerant attitude of state and its people.
  6. Faith in polity: Secularism in India helped in keeping rights of its citizens allowing a deeper faith in polity and constitution.
  7. More liberal: Indian secularism is more liberal in a sense it is not neutral rather accept every religion in a broader sense. It allow its citizens to preach whatever religion they want to follow.
  8. Liberal and 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 uprighting 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.

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