Secularism in India

Introduction:

              India has often been touted as a melting pot of religions since her ancient past. The Constitution of India declares the state, a “secular” nation. But a pertinent question arises, “Is our view of secularism completely different or are we just looking away from the ground realities of our nation”? It is quite tenable to argue that riots and religious conflicts that often mar the headlines of Indian newspapers hardly speak of a secular environment for the citizenry of our nation. As the world is increasingly becoming more and more tolerable towards differences among people with globalization, India seems to lag behind or at least not move forward as far as tolerance and secularism are concerned. With a huge and diverse population it is indeed crucial for India to be a harmonious nation for people of all faiths.

Mahatma Gandhi has said: "I swear by my religion, I will die for it. But it is my personal affair. The State has nothing to do with it. The State would look after your secular welfare, health, communications, foreign relations, currency and so on, but not your or my religion. That is everybody's personal concern!!"

Meaning of Secularism:

            The ‘Sanskrit’ word that is commonly used for "Secularism" in India is dharma nirapekshata and means "indifference towards religion". The usage itself denotes the understanding of secularism as more a policy of political practice than a philosophy in itself. The other Sanskrit word that is used for it is dharma nirapekshavada where the suffix vada is the same as ism and denotes the philosophical aspect of secularism. However, the plurality of religions, religious pluralism (the view that all religions are equally valid), and cultural (and communal) concerns greatly influence the various ways in which secularism has developed and is looked at on in India. Prominently in Indian soil, secularism is more a subject of politics than of metaphysics or even values, at present. The other philosophical viewpoint that is often confused with secularism is religious pluralism, or the view that all religions are equally valid ways of religious expression or salvation.

 The Dream of Secularism:

          On the road to a prosperous and harmonious nation, secularism is definitely a major milestone. There are very few nations in the world with as much religious diversity as India. Unfortunately, this diversity is becoming more of a bane rather than a boon which it ought to be. A country known worldwide for the famous quality of having “unity in diversity” should be doing everything it can for upholding her ideals. Extremism, especially on the basis of religion, has to be uprooted from society. Religious propaganda should be highly condemned and even banning such elements does not seem like a bad option. Authorities like the security forces as well as the Election Commission should take strict action against factors that may disrupt communal harmony, like political or anti-social elements. On the grassroots level, primary and secondary schools hold the key to religious harmony. Kids need to be taught tolerance and respect for each other’s faiths. There are several NGOs working for the cause as well and individuals, corporate organizations and the government must surely help them in every way possible. As India is entering the spotlight on the world stage, it is quintessential that such embarrassments must be done away with and religious and communal harmony be achieved. India has a lot of things to be proud of, we should just hope that the leaders at the helm of the country realize that and ensure that every Indian can stand proudly anywhere in the world.

Secularism inserted in Preamble (42nd amendment act):

              The word secular was inserted into the Preamble by the 42nd amendment act of 1976, during emergency. It implies equality of all religions and religious tolerance. India therefore does not have an official state religion. Every person has the right to preach, practice and propagate any religion they choose. The government must not favor or discriminate against any religion. It must treat all religions with equal respect. All citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs are equal in the eyes of law. No religious instruction is imparted in government or government-aided schools. Nevertheless, general information about all established world religions is imparted as part of the course in Sociology, without giving any importance to any one religion or the others. The content presents the basic/fundamental information with regards to the fundamental beliefs, social values and main practices and festivals of each established world religions. The Supreme Court in S.R Bommai v. Union of India held that secularism was an integral part of the basic structure of the constitution.

Secularism & the Constitution of India:

Ø  India has been declared a secular state by its written constitution and it is every Indians duty to stand by and believe in this declaration. And yet recent political and social events have questioned this declaration. Is India a secular country only on paper or does secularism actually exists in India?

Ø  The Preamble of the Constitution of India declares that India is a secular state. The term secularism in politics refers to the governmental practice of indifference towards religion. Though such bifurcation is not totally possible, still, secular politics attempts to prevent religious philosophies or bodies from influencing governmental policies. The philosophy that the Indian constitution upholds on to is a kind of Secular humanism made relevant through a historical development of the ideology within the context of religious pluralism in India

Ø  Indian Constitution is also containing various provisions pertaining to religious freedom like Article 25 talks about Freedom of Conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion but these freedoms given in the Constitution are not absolute and they are given subject to certain restriction like Public Order, Morality and Health.

Ø  Article 26 also talks about Freedom to manage religious affairs and similarly Article 27, 28, 29 and 30 talks about religious instruction or religious worships in educational institutions and protection of minority’s interests. If we see meticulously in the Constitution then we will be able analyze that one of the better and effective provision relating to religion and protection of minorities are enshrined in the Constitution.

  Nature of Modern Secular State:   

              Secularism introduces science, technology and rationalism in the society and forms the basis of a modern secular state. In the process, it has to oppose and struggle against the clergy and vested forces in the society. And as such, the fundamentalist communal onslaughts are the 'other' of secularism and secularization. The oppressed sections join the secular movement to wrest the accompanying liberal space that can be the base for launching the struggles for their rights. Fundamentalism is the regressive reaction of feudal elements and sections of middle classes in league with the clergy, to crush the aspirations of oppressed class, whose movements for their rights is a big source of tension for them. The secularization process and the accompanying movements of the oppressed increase the insecurity of fundamentalist forces. They try to lure these classes into their fold through religion and liberal use of money and muscle power.

           The mere survival of India for 61 years with its religious diversity is proofs our secularity. That inspire of communal forces winning at several occasions, the larger battle is still in the favor of secularism. That India has managed to not have a state religion and not let separatist groups split it apart, is a sign of success for secularism. Though lot has to be done to extinguish the sparks of communalism that threaten to burn of nation, the resilience of our people and the unity of our country in the face of communal divide, assure us all is not lost and the ideal that are Preamble speaks of is still alive.

Conclusion:

             It is not so much a question of defending or preserving the existing secular character of the Indian polity, but rather a need to create and build a secular polity in the nation. Only the ideal of building a secular democratic nation can stem the tide of communal fascism in the country. Sarva Dharma Sambhav has to operate at the personal as well as the social level, while Dharma Nirpekshata or Secularism per se continues to be the state policy. Religious clergy, bigotry, dogmas and rituals cannot be allowed to guide the state.  Secularism begins in the heart of every individual. There should be no feeling of "otherness" as we all have is a shared history.India being a traditional society that contains not one, but many traditions owing their origin in part to the different religions that exist here, has so far managed to retain the secular character of its polity. Ours is a society where Sufis and Bhakti saints have brought in a cultural acceptance for each other. Are we going to let it all go to waste and listen to people who have concern for their careers as politicians or leaders rather than our welfare at heart? Let us instead concentrate our efforts at making India a powerful and progressive nation.

 References:

1.      Audi Robert: The Separation of Church, State and Separation of Citizenship, Philosophy and Public Affairs,Vol.18 No.3

2.      Bhargava Rajeev: Secularism and its critics (Oxford university press, Delhi 1998)               Secularism under the constitutional framework of India.

3.      Asghar Ali Engineer: Secularism in India: The Mill Gazette Online

4.      The role of Secularism in the framing of the Constitution after Independence, - Chairmanship of Dr. BR Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution for India.

5.      www.legalserviceindia.com/articles/ct.htm

6.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/secularism_in_India