Secularism
Secularism is a doctrine that opposes both inter-religious domination (one community over another) and intra-religious domination (oppression within a religion). It promotes freedom within religions and equality between them.
Inter-religious domination is when one religious group oppresses another, while intra-religious domination is oppression within a single faith, such as caste discrimination or gender inequality.
A secular state is one that is not theocratic (run by religious leaders) and does not have an established state religion. It is committed to goals like peace, freedom, and equality derived from non-religious sources.
The Western model, inspired by the American system, advocates for a strict separation and mutual exclusion between the state and religion. Religion is treated as a purely private matter.
This model focuses primarily on individual rights and liberties, with less emphasis on community-based rights or the rights of religious minorities.
Indian secularism is distinct from the Western model. It arose in a context of deep religious diversity and addresses both inter-religious and intra-religious domination.
Instead of strict separation, the Indian state maintains a 'principled distance' from religion. This allows the state to intervene or refrain from intervening in religious affairs to uphold constitutional values like equality.
A key feature of Indian secularism is that it allows for state intervention to support religious reform. For example, the state has enacted laws banning untouchability and child marriage.
Indian secularism deals not only with individual religious freedom but also with the freedom of minority communities to exist and maintain their own cultural and educational institutions.
Nehru described secularism as 'Equal protection by the State to all religions'. He believed a secular state should not be hostile to religion but must be strongly opposed to communalism.
A common criticism is that secularism is anti-religious. However, the doctrine is against institutionalized religious domination, not religious faith or identity itself.
Critics claim secularism is a Western concept unsuited for India. In reality, Indian secularism is a unique variant that evolved from India's own history of religious coexistence and is not a simple copy.
Secularism is accused of 'minoritism' or appeasing minorities. The defense is that protecting minority rights is essential for ensuring they are treated with the same dignity and respect as the majority, not as a special privilege.
It is argued that secularism promotes vote bank politics. While politicians may exploit group identities for votes, this is a distortion of democratic politics rather than a flaw in the principle of secularism itself.
Some argue that Indian secularism is too interventionist in religious freedom. The concept of principled distance means intervention is not automatic but is a tool used selectively to protect fundamental rights and promote social reform.