PYQ Relevance:[UPSC 2024] Discuss India as a secular state and compare with the secular principles of the US Constitution. Linkage: The article talks about the concept of secularism was deeply embedded in India’s foundational principles long before the word was explicitly added to the Constitution. The question directly asks for a discussion of India as a secular state and a comparison with the secular principles of the US Constitution. This necessitates an understanding of the fundamental nature and historical evolution of Indian secularism, which aligns perfectly with the theme of “implicit from day one, explicit in 1976.” |
Mentor’s Comment: Indian secularism is a core constitutional and civilizational value, not a foreign imposition. Secularism was always embedded in India’s political philosophy—rooted in Ashoka’s Dhamma, the freedom struggle, and Nehruvian ideals—long before the term was explicitly added to the Preamble in 1976.
Today’s editorial analyses the ongoing national debate on secularism in India. This topic is important for GS Paper II (Indian Polity) in the UPSC mains exam.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
Recently, the ongoing national debate on secularism in India, especially in light of rising Hindutva narratives, political calls to re-examine or delete the word “secular” from the Constitution, and broader questions about the role of religion in Indian politics and governance.
What is the Indian model of secularism?
- Equal respect for all religions: Unlike strict separation models (like in France), Indian secularism does not oppose religion but ensures that the state maintains a principled distance and treats all religions equally.
- Religious autonomy with state neutrality: It protects religious communities from state interference, while also allowing the state to intervene in religious practices that violate fundamental rights (e.g., banning untouchability, regulating temple entry).
- Rooted in pluralism and history: It draws from India’s civilizational ethos, including Ashoka’s Dhamma, and the ideals of the freedom struggle, ensuring a harmonious coexistence of diverse faiths within a democratic framework.
Why did the Constitution’s framers reject a state religion for India?
- Commitment to Equality and Non-Discrimination: The framers believed the state must treat all religions equally to ensure religious freedom and equal citizenship, irrespective of faith. Eg: The 1928 Motilal Nehru Report and 1931 Karachi Resolution explicitly advocated for state neutrality in religious matters.
- Historical Legacy of Tolerance: India’s long tradition of religious pluralism, influenced by Ashokan edicts, emphasised coexistence and respect for all faiths, not state endorsement of one. Eg: Ashoka’s Rock Edict 7 promoted the idea that all religions should coexist peacefully.
- Avoidance of Theocracy and Communal Division: After witnessing Partition and its communal violence, the framers feared that endorsing a state religion would deepen sectarian divides and weaken national unity. Eg: Even Syama Prasad Mookerjee and the Hindu Mahasabha’s 1944 draft constitution did not support declaring Hinduism as the state religion.
What are the risks of redefining secularism in India’s current context?
- Erosion of Religious Neutrality of the State: Redefining secularism could weaken the state’s impartial stance in religious matters, leading to preferential treatment for the majority religion and marginalisation of minorities. Eg: The growing demand to formally declare India a Hindu Rashtra could alienate religious minorities and threaten inclusive governance.
- Undermining Constitutional Morality and Democratic Ideals: Secularism is part of the basic structure doctrine upheld by the Supreme Court. Altering it could compromise constitutional values like liberty, equality, and fraternity. Eg: The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) affirmed secularism as an inviolable part of the Constitution.
- Increase in Communal Polarisation and Social Instability: Shifting away from secularism may embolden majoritarian narratives, intensify hate speech, and provoke inter-religious conflicts, disrupting national unity. Eg: The Ram Temple consecration in 2024, influenced more by political decisions than theological consensus, reflects state intrusion into religious space.
What can India learn from global models of religion–state relations?
- Balance between Symbolism and Equality: Countries like England and Greece recognize a dominant religion symbolically (e.g., Anglican Church or Greek Orthodox Church), yet uphold equal rights and religious freedom for all citizens through constitutional guarantees. India can maintain its spiritual heritage while ensuring non-discrimination and equality in law.
- Institutional Autonomy with Legal Safeguards: Ireland and Sri Lanka offer models where religion is acknowledged culturally, but the state cannot endow or control religious institutions, preserving religious autonomy and legal protection for minority practices. India can reinforce legal safeguards for all religions while maintaining a non-theocratic state.
- Flexible Jurisdictional Models: In Western Thrace (Greece) and Sri Lanka, minority religious communities have the option to resolve disputes through personal or religious laws, within constitutional limits. India can explore plural legal frameworks that respect cultural autonomy without compromising constitutional supremacy.
What are the steps taken by the Indian Government?
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Way forward:
- Strengthen Constitutional Literacy: Promote public awareness about secular values enshrined in the Constitution through education and civic outreach to counter misinformation and foster interfaith harmony.
- Ensure Political Neutrality in Religious Matters: Enforce strict separation between religion and politics, preventing the misuse of religion for electoral gains and ensuring the State remains neutral in matters of faith.
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