Tag: understanding secularism

A secular state is a concept of secularism, whereby a state is or purports to be officially neutral in matters of religion, supporting none of the religions.  A secular state also claims to treat all its citizens equally regardless of religion and claims to avoid preferential treatment for a citizen from a particular religion or no religion. Secular states do not have a state religion although the absence of a state religion does not necessarily mean that a state is fully secular. However, a true secular state should steadfastly maintain national governance without influence from religious factions and vice versa

India is a secular country. It is the system in which people are free to choose the religion that they follow. Religious tolerance is the fundamental characteristic of secularism. It does not oppose any religion.

Right to equality consists of Art 15 which states that no person shall be discriminated on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

First amendment of US constitution states that no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise, or causing hindrance to freedom of speech, or of the press, or to the right of the people to assemble freely, or to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Secularism means a system of political and social philosophy that does not favor any particular religious faith. It is a term that explains that the government of the country favors no particular religion. This does not imply that the particular state is against any religion. It simply means that the government should remain neutral on the matter of religion and should not enforce nor prohibit the free exercise of religion, leaving the religious choice to the liberty of the people.

India is a secular nation I.e., the state remains neutral in matters concerning religions or equal treatment of all religion by state without favouring one or discriminating other. Political process in India has emanated from social environment. In modern India religion has becoming a major factor for setting up of identity based politics. The political parties have formed in the influence of religion such as RSS, Shiv Sena, Bhatiya Janta Party (influence of Hindu Religion), All India Muslim League, AIMIM (influence of Muslim religion)which possessthreat to the secular fabric of nation while division in the name of religion puts unity of India at stake.

The Constitution of India provides for a Secular State meaningly India has no particular religion as the official religion and it remains neutral in the affairs of religion or on other words each and every Religion gets equal status and support from the state. The term "secular" was added to the Preamble by 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.

Preamble is an introductory statement based on the Objectives resolution drafted and moved by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1946. By 42nd Amendment of 1976, the words socialist, secular and integrity were added to the Preamble.