Question

Differentiate between concept of secularism in USA and India ?

Answer 1

Secularism as put by George Holyoake is a concept of establishing an order where religion and politics (State) should be separated. Hence western societies believe in this type of secularism which may be called Hard Secularism (by Barry Kosmin). So it is in the US too. However, in a country like our’s which is diverse in diversities need to have tolerance at its core. Hence the framers of the constitution have incorporated the principle of religious tolerance on which our secularism is founded. The state generally does not intervene in religious doctrines but it may impose restrictions on religious freedom on the grounds of health, morality or public order and it may also by law regulate all secular activities.