Question

Secularism is the very soul of Indian society and the democracy. India

has a tradition of co-existence, tolerance, co-operation and mutual

respect between all its social and religious groups. Islam came to Indiawith Muslim conquerors. A large number of natives turned Muslims

over the period and presently they make the second largest community

of our nation. The contribution of Islam to Indian culture and

civilization has been spectacular. It added variety, colour and richness

to native heritage. Islam enriched India with architectural wonders, the

most precious being ‘Tajmahal’, the symbol of aesthetic India.

Christianity had preceded Islam to India. St. Thomas, the twelve

disciples of Christ arrived in India to preach his message when St. Peter

was in Rome. Paris came to India in 8th century to escape from

religious persecution in Iran. They brought Zoroastrianism. Jews sailed

to India 2000 year ago to settle down in Mumbai, Pune, Kochi and

Delhi. Hinduism itself was a religious conglomeration of thousands of

sects having distinct beliefs, rituals, customs and practices. Three

nearly different religions branched out of it, namely, Buddhism,

Jainism and Sikhism having separate places of worship and holy books.

In all, India remained a shining example of unity in diversity, nowhere

else found in the world.

Honouring this eternal spirit of India, our constitution makers declared

our nation to be a secular state without any discrimination. Althoughthe people of our country are deeply religious yet they don’t harbour

any ill will or intolerance against other faiths. Even during the freedom

struggle the leaders who led it made secularism a basic policy to rally

all the people against the British. The secular polity was fiercely

strengthened by Mahatma Gandhi. Himself a deeply religious Hindu,

he had great respect for all other religions and faiths.

To divide the Indians, the colonial rulers tried to destroy file spirit of

secularism by aiding and abetting communal forces. Some of our

people forgot that sacred tradition and played in the hands of British.

Our country paid a terrible price for that lapse. India got divided into

two nations and we lost father of, the nation, Mahatma Gandhi to the

bullet. It should teach us a lesson that only secular spirit will keep India

going.

Read the above paragraph and answer the following questions

1)Identify the statement which is not applicable for the secularism .

a) Religious conglomeration of different sects

b) A secular state without any discrimination

c) Co-existence, tolerance and mutual respect

d) Secular lapse​

Answer 1

Answer:

C) co- existence, tolerance and mutual respect