Understanding Secularism

Q1. Fill in the blanks.

                           i.        In the United States of America, most children in government schools have to begin their school day reciting the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’.

                         ii.        The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power.

                        iii.        In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.

                        iv.        The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one religion.

                         v.        Jewish State of Israel treats its own Muslim and Christian minorities quite badly.

Q2. True/False

                          i.        In Indian secularism the State is not strictly separate from religion. True

                         ii.        Wearing a pugri (turban) is central to a Sikh’s religious practice. True

                        iii.        Government schools can promote any one religion. False

                        iv.        In Indian secularism, the State cannot intervene in religion. False

                         v.        History provides us with many examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion. True

Q3. What does the term ‘secularism’ refer to?

Ans. Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State.

Q4. What do you mean by ‘freedom to interpret’?

Ans. ‘Freedom to interpret’ means an individual’s liberty to develop his own understanding and meaning of the religious teachings.

Q5. Explain the concept of ‘principled distance’.

Ans. This means that any interference in religion by the State has to be based on the ideals laid out in the Constitution.

Q6. How are non-Muslims treated in Saudi Arabia?

Ans. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build a temple, church etc., and nor can they gather in a public place for prayers.

Q7. What is meant by the word ‘establishment’?

Ans. The word ‘establishment’ means that the legislature cannot declare any religion as the official religion. Nor can they give preference to one religion.

Q8. What is the most important aspect of secularism? State its importance.

Ans. The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically.

Q9. “The government cannot force Sikhs to wear a helmet while driving two wheelers.” Give reason.

Ans. This is because the Indian State recognises that wearing a pugri (turban) is central to a Sikh’s religious practice and in order not to interfere with this, allows an exception in the law.

Q10. What provision has been made by the government to follow religious equality in government spaces, schools and offices?

Ans. In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion. Government schools cannot promote any one religion either in their morning prayers or through religious celebrations.

Q11. When does discrimination occur?
Or
When does the act of discrimination take place?

Ans. Discrimination occurs when members of one religious community either persecute or discriminate against members of other religious communities. These acts of discrimination take place more easily when one religion is given official recognition by the State at the expense of other religions.

Q12. How Indian concept of secularism is different from United States?

Ans. There is one significant way in which Indian secularism differs from the dominant understanding of secularism as practised in the United States of America. This is because unlike the strict separation between religion and the State in American secularism, in Indian secularism the State can intervene in religious affairs.

Q13. Why government schools are not allowed to celebrate religious festival?

Ans. The celebration of the religious festival within the school would be a violation of the government’s policy of treating all religions equally. Government schools cannot promote any one religion either in their morning prayers or through religious celebrations. That’s why government schools are not allowed to celebrate religious festival.

Q14. What is secularism in Indian context?

Ans. The Indian Constitution allows individuals the freedom to live by their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret these. In keeping with this idea of religious freedom for all, India also adopted a strategy of separating the power of religion and the power of the State. Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State.