Question

How Is Secularism In India Different From Secularism In The West

Answer 1

Answer:

Secularism is the principle that determine the relationship between government and the religion. It plays an important role in a diverse country like India. The 42nd amendment of the Constitution of India, amended the Preamble of the Constitution declaring India as a secular nation. In India secularism means state view all religions as equal.

Secularism in India:

• In India secularism does not mean separation of religion from state. Instead, secularism in India means a state that is neutral to all religious groups.
• India does not have an official state religion.
• The 7th schedule of Indian constitution places religious institutions, charities and trusts into Concurrent List, which means that both the central government of India, and various state governments in India can make their own laws about religious institutions, charities and trusts.

Western secularism:

• Indian concept of secularism is different from the Western concept of secularism. In the West it is conceived as separation of state and religion. Although in India secularism is not separate from religion. Rather state see all religion as equal.
• The Western secularism means total non-interference of state and religion in the functioning of each other. The state is allowed to curtail the rights of citizens, if the religion is causing hindrance in the functioning of state.
• On the other hand, in India the concept is not restricted to the question of how the religious groups are to be treated. Instead, the essence of secularism lies in forging a positive relation between the state and religion in the social and cultural realm.