SecularismClass 11 Political Theory NCERT Solutions
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Q1Exercises
Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.
(a)
Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
(b)
Recognition of a state religion.
(c)
Equal state support to all religions.
(d)
Mandatory prayers in schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
Solution
Based on the principles of secularism, particularly the Indian model, the compatibility of the given points is as follows:
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
Compatible. This is a core principle of secularism. The chapter states, "Secularism is first and foremost a doctrine that opposes all such forms of inter-religious domination."
(b) Recognition of a state religion.
Incompatible. A secular state does not have an official or established religion. The text clarifies, "To be truly secular, a state must not only refuse to be theocratic but also have no formal, legal alliance with any religion."
(c) Equal state support to all religions.
Compatible with the Indian model of secularism. Unlike the Western model of strict non-interference, Indian secularism allows for positive engagement. The state can support educational institutions run by religious minorities to promote equality. This support must be principled and non-discriminatory.
(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
Incompatible. This would impose a particular religious practice on students of all faiths and none, violating religious freedom. A secular state must maintain a separation from religious rituals in public institutions like government schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
Compatible. This is a key feature of Indian secularism, which protects minority rights. The chapter mentions, "the Indian Constitution grants all religious minorities the right to establish and maintain their own educational institutions which may receive assistance from the state."
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
Compatible with the Indian model of secularism. This is an example of the state intervening in religious affairs to ensure proper administration or to enact reforms, which is permissible under the concept of 'principled distance'.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
Compatible. This is a prime example of the Indian secular state intervening to address intra-religious domination and social injustice. The chapter states, "Indian secularism has made room for and is compatible with the idea of state-supported religious reform. Thus, the Indian constitution bans untouchability."
Q2Exercises
Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.
Western Secularism Indian Secularism Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other's affairs State supported religious reforms allowed Equality between different religious groups is a key concern Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised Attention to minority rights Less attention to community based rights Individual and his rights at the centre Rights of both individual and religious community protected.
Solution
Here is the corrected table with the characteristics of Western and Indian models of secularism properly separated based on the chapter's content:
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
|---|---|
| Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other's affairs | State supported religious reforms allowed |
| Less attention to community based rights | Equality between different religious groups is a key concern |
| Individual and his rights at the centre | Attention to minority rights |
| Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
Q3Exercises
What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
Solution
Secularism is a normative doctrine that aims to create a society free from both inter-religious and intra-religious domination.
- Inter-religious domination refers to the oppression of one religious community by another, such as the persecution of minorities.
- Intra-religious domination refers to oppression within a single religion, such as the discrimination against Dalits or women within Hinduism.
Secularism promotes freedom within religions and equality between, as well as within, different religious communities. It requires a state that is not theocratic and has no formal alliance with any particular religion. The state must be committed to principles like peace, religious freedom, and equality.
Secularism cannot be equated with religious tolerance. As the chapter explains, tolerance may simply mean putting up with beliefs or practices one finds disagreeable. It is compatible with a hierarchical system where a dominant group tolerates minority groups, but does not grant them equal status or rights. Secularism, on the other hand, is a more robust concept that demands not just coexistence but active promotion of equality and dignity between and within all communities. It is much more than mere peaceful coexistence.
Q4Exercises
Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.
(a)
Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
(b)
Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
(c)
Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
Solution
(a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
I disagree with this statement. The chapter clarifies that secularism is not anti-religious; it is against institutionalised religious domination. Secularism promotes religious freedom for all individuals and groups. It protects the right of individuals to profess the religion of their choice. Therefore, it protects religious identity rather than threatening it. It only undermines forms of religious identity that are dogmatic, fanatical, and foster hatred towards other religions.
(b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
I agree with this statement. This is the fundamental goal of secularism as described in the chapter. It opposes two forms of domination:
- Inter-religious domination: This is inequality between different religious groups, where a majority community might oppress minorities.
- Intra-religious domination: This is inequality within a religious group, such as caste discrimination or the unequal treatment of women. Thus, promoting equality in both these spheres is central to the concept of secularism.
(c) Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
I disagree with this statement. The chapter argues that while Indian secularism has been influenced by Western ideas, it is not a mere implant. Indian secularism evolved differently to suit its unique context of deep religious diversity. The chapter states that Indian secularism has both Western and non-Western origins. In India, the idea of peaceful coexistence of different religious communities was important long before Western models arrived. Indian secularism's focus on both inter-religious and intra-religious equality, and its provision for state intervention for social reform, make it a distinct variant suitable for Indian conditions.
Q5Exercises
Indian secularism focuses on more than the religion-state separation. Explain.
Solution
Yes, Indian secularism is a much broader concept than a simple separation of religion and state, which is the cornerstone of the Western model. The Indian model incorporates several other crucial dimensions:
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Focus on Inter-religious and Intra-religious Domination: While the Western model primarily focuses on preventing the domination of the state by the church (and vice versa), Indian secularism equally opposes the domination of one religious group by another (inter-religious) and the oppression within a religious community, such as discrimination against Dalits and women (intra-religious).
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Rights of Minority Communities: The Western model is largely individualistic. Indian secularism, however, deals not only with the religious freedom of individuals but also with the religious freedom of minority communities. It grants them the right to exist, maintain their own culture, and run their own educational institutions.
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State-Supported Religious Reform: Unlike the strict non-interference policy of the Western model, Indian secularism allows for principled state intervention in religious matters to bring about social reform. The Constitution's ban on untouchability and laws abolishing child marriage are key examples of the state intervening to correct ills sanctioned by religious practice.
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Concept of Principled Distance: Instead of a wall of separation, the Indian state maintains a 'principled distance' from all religions. This means it can choose to engage with or disengage from religion, depending on what is necessary to promote the values of liberty, equality, and social justice. This flexible approach allows it to protect religious freedom while also fighting religious tyranny.
Q6Exercises
Explain the concept of principled distance.
Solution
The concept of 'principled distance' is a unique feature of Indian secularism that defines the relationship between the state and religion. It is different from the Western model's idea of a strict 'wall of separation' or mutual exclusion.
'Principled distance' means that the state maintains a flexible and principled approach towards religion. It does not follow a policy of absolute non-interference. Instead, the state's engagement or disengagement with any religion is determined by its commitment to core secular values like peace, liberty, equality, and social justice.
This policy allows the Indian state to adopt different strategies:
- Non-interference: In many cases, the state can adopt a policy of non-interference, similar to the American model, allowing religious communities to manage their own affairs.
- Negative Intervention: The state can intervene to oppose religious tyranny and social evils. For example, the banning of untouchability is a negative intervention to end a discriminatory practice sanctioned by religion.
- Positive Intervention: The state can also engage positively with religious communities. For instance, it can provide financial assistance to educational institutions run by religious minorities to ensure they are not at a disadvantage.
In essence, the decision to intervene or not is not arbitrary. It is based on whether such an action helps or hinders the constitutional values that the state is committed to upholding. This allows the state to respect religious freedom while also retaining the power to enact social reforms.