Question

Explain the role of religion in Indian Politics.

Answer 1

Ideally in a secular country, religion should play no part in politics. Secularism as an ideology itself means separation of religion from policy matters. However in Indian context, religion has come to play a dominant role in election campaigning, voting behaviour, policy making etc.

In India, religion has a particularly strong grip over people' psyche. Religious considerations dominates their everyday life. Political leaders have capitalized on this. Despite Section 123(3) of RPA clearly prohibiting any reference to candidate's or voter's religion, such references are frequently used. Some of the political parties cater to only specific religious groups. Widespread inequality in socio economic conditions which coincides with religious identities have also been exploited

Due to low voter literacy, voting behaviour is dominated by emotions rather than rationality. Religion being a strong emotive factor plays an important part in determining voting behaviour.

Indian conception of secularism is different from Western conception of secularism. Rather than a complete segregation of religion and state, our Constitution mandates a principled distance between state and religion. We therefore see State providing Haj Subsidy or supporting religious institutions.

Many social evils are linked with religion such as polygamy, triple talaq etc. Article 25 of Constitution enables state to reform religion of its evils. This we see reforms like Hindu women being given antyeshti rights, entry of women to inner Sanctum of temples, declaring triple talaq illegal etc.

Feeling of antagonism and insecurity among certain minorities has led to separatist movements like Khalistan movememt, insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir etc. Here again state polity has to take actions specific to religion like modernization of Madrassas.

Religion has come to dominate many aspects of State polity. In a deeply religious and conservative Society, this is inevitable also. But the constitutional mandate of a principled distance and non discrimination on basis of religion shall be upheld at all cost. Engagement with religion shall be a measure of last resort and should be done in the best interests of society and nation.

Answer 2

Answer:

Gandhiji used to argue that religion and politics are inextricably linked. He didn't mean any one religion, such as Hinduism or Islam, when he said religion, but rather the moral values found in all religions. Politics, he believes, should be guided by ethics taken from all religions.

Explanation:

India opted to construct a secular state with its own religious tolerance, liberty, and equality on the eve of independence. Because religious tolerance has been a large part of India's historical past, it is a crucial component of the concept of secularism.

In India, secularism is a way of life. The only way to minimise internal tensions in a country with at least 12 faiths, over 300 castes, nearly 4,000 sub-castes, over 100 major languages, and more than 300 dialects is to instil tolerance and coexistence. In a country like India, where the pluralist tradition dates back thousands of years, secularism cannot survive without recognising the pluralist ethos.

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