Secularism in India, Challenges, UPSC Notes

What is Secularism?

Secularism is an ideology that emphasizes the separation of religion and the state and the neutrality of the government with respect to religious beliefs..

• It has broadly two meanings:
  • Separation of religion from the state i.e. Dharm Nirpekshta.
  • Equal respect to all religions by state i.e. Sarva Dharma Samabhava.
• The Indian constitution aims for a secular state where all religions are treated equally

What are the constitutional provisions pertaining to Secularism in India?

At the outset of the making of the Constitution, the concept of secularism was not expressly mentioned in the Indian Constitution. However, the Indian Constitution has spelled out several provisions in Part III(Fundamental Rights), Part IV(Directive Principles of State Policy), and Part IVA(Fundamental Duties) that reflect the existence of secularism.

Apart from the Constitution, Judiciary has also helped shape Secularism in India.

• Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973): The Supreme Court held that secularism was a part of the basic structure of the Constitution.
• Bommai v Union of India (1994): The Supreme Court elaborated on the meaning of secularism. The Court said that secularism means equal treatment of all religions.

How is Indian Secularism different from Western Secularism?

Some major differences between the Indian and Western models of Secularism are

What are the criticisms of the Indian model of Secularism?

Indian secularism has been subjected to various criticisms. Some of these are:

• Anti-religious: It has been argued by some that secularism threatens religious identity.
  • However, secularism is against institutionalized religious domination. This is not the same as being anti-religious.
• Western import: Another criticism is that secularism is linked to Christianity, that it is western and, therefore, unsuited to Indian conditions.
  • However, the mutual exclusion of religion and state, which is supposed to be the ideal of western secular societies, is not the defining feature of all secular states.
• Minoritism: It is argued that Indian secularism advocates minority rights.
  • However, the constitution protects the most fundamental interest of minorities
• Interventionist: It is claimed that secularism is coercive and that it interferes excessively with the religious freedom of communities.
  • However, Indian secularism follows the concept of principled distance, which also allows for non-interference.
• Vote Bank Politics: There is the argument that secularism encourages the politics of vote banks.

What are the factors that threaten India’s secular fabric?

• Political interference in religion: Increasing interference of religion in politics is a major challenge facing the secular state.
  • Candidates for elections are selected based on religious considerations, and votes are cast based on religious sentiments.
• Non-separation of religion from politics: Events in the past like the demolition of the Babri Masjid, anti-Sikh riots in 1984, Mumbai riots in 1992 and 1993, Godhra riots in 2002, etc., have shown the well-established problem of communalism raising its head now, and then.
• Exclusion of minorities: There are feelings of insecurity in religious minorities still today. This makes it difficult to create a secular society.
  • Sachar Committee had reported, “while Muslims constitute 14 percent of the Indian population, they comprise only 2.5 percent of the Indian bureaucracy”.
• Growing radicalization: In recent years, there have been stray incidences of youth being inspired and radicalized by groups like ISIS, posing a threat to the secular fabric of the nation.
• Religious intolerance: Religious intolerance is also on the rise recently.
  • Example: Delhi riots 2020.

What measures can help India become a truly secular state?

The Indian constitution aims for a secular state. To strengthen its ideas further following steps can be taken:

• Education as a tool: Education is a means to effect change in the mindset of people. Individual examples of sharing and mutual help could reduce prejudice and suspicion between communities.
• Social Reforms: Movements for social reform, like Uniform Civil Code, will have to be organized and public opinion mobilized. Also, Minorities should be encouraged to participate in the mainstream of national life.
• Move towards secular politics: Communal politics and vote bank politics need to be replaced by secular politics to ensure religious tolerance.
• Combating religious extremism: Strong measures need to be taken to combat religious extremism and promote a culture of tolerance and mutual respect.
• Protecting minority rights: It includes ensuring equal access to education, employment, and other opportunities, as well as protecting minority communities from violence and hate crimes.

India has come a long way since independence to make a secular society. However, steps like social reforms, religious tolerance, etc., need to be further strengthened to achieve the goal of Constitution makers. Additional text to be added here.