Ans. In February 2004, France passed a law banning students from wearing any conspicuous religious or political signs or symbols such as the Islamic headscarf, the Jewish skullcap, or large Christian crosses. This law has encountered a lot of resistance from immigrants who are mainly from the former French colonies of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
Ans. The three objectives of a secular State are:
i. One religious community does not dominate another;
ii. Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community;
iii. State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.
Ans. It is important to separate religion from the State because of the following reasons:
i. To prevent the domination of one religion over another.
ii. To protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently.
Ans. Historical examples of discrimination are:
i. Jews were persecuted in Hitler’s Germany.
ii. Jewish State of Israel treats its own Muslim and Christian minorities quite badly.
iii. 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.
Ans. The government will surely intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide because it involves killing of innocent child, which is against fundamental right – The Right to Life. No one is allowed to go against fundamental rights. Everyone's right to life shall be protected by law.
Ans. Different views are found within the same religion. For example:
i. In Hinduism, there are Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism and Smartism.
ii. In Muslim community, there are Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya and Quranists.
iii. In Jainas, there are Shwetambar and Digambar sects.
iv. In Buddhism, there are Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana.
Ans. The Indian Constitution ensures its objectives of a secular state in the following manner:
i. One religious community does not dominate another;
ii. Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community;
iii. State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.
Ans. Holidays in school calendar
Religions |
Holidays |
Hindu |
Holi, Dussehra, Diwali |
Muslim |
Eid ul Zuha or Bakrid, Eid al-Fitr, Muharram |
Sikh |
Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Gurpurab |
Christian |
Christmas, Goodfriday |
This indicates that India is secular country where religious freedom is granted to its citizens and all religions are equally respected.
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