Secularism

“Secularism does not mean that we are against religion. It means that we are against any religion being the basis for our politics.”

 – Jawaharlal Nehru

Secularism is a socio-political principle that advocates the separation of religion from the affairs of the state and ensures that individuals have the freedom to practice their faith without state interference or favouritism. It is based on the values of equality, freedom, and fraternity, promoting a society where religion does not dictate governance and public policies.

In a diverse and pluralistic country like India, secularism is crucial for maintaining social harmony, protecting the rights of various religious communities, and ensuring inclusive development.

Types of Secularism

Secularism can take different forms depending on how a state or society approaches the relationship between religion and governance. The types of secularism vary based on the level of separation between religion and the state, the role of religion in public life, and the state’s stance towards religious institutions.

Based on these factors Rajeev Bhargava, a prominent Indian political theorist, made a distinction between two types of secularism.

1. Positive Secularism
2. Negative Secularism

Negative Secularism

Negative secularism denotes a strict separation of religion from the state. That is, the state is negated from the personal spheres of humans, and religion cannot interfere in the matters of the state.

The state is expected to be completely neutral and non-interfering, treating religion as a purely private matter. This often results in the prohibition of religious symbols in public institutions and no involvement of the state in religious affairs.

It is practised in Western countries like France and the United States.

However, the Indian model of secularism differs from the Western concept, as it does not advocate the complete exclusion of religion from public life but rather “equal treatment of all religions” without any bias.

Positive Secularism

Positive secularism refers to the model where religion cannot interfere in the matters of the state, but the state may intervene when necessary to ensure equality, reform, or protection of individual rights.

Thus, the state maintains a principled distance from all religions.

It does not imply total separation, but rather active engagement to promote religious harmony and justice.

This model is followed in India, where the Constitution allows religious freedom while also enabling the state to regulate or support religious practices when needed—for example, religious subsidies or recognition of personal laws.

For example, Article 25 ensures religious freedoms but they are subject to public order, health and morality. If someone disturbs public order, or a religious practice goes against health and morality, the government can interfere.

Therefore, the state can interfere when untouchability is practised, or in the matter of triple talaq or the caste system.

Thus, while both forms of secularism aim to protect religious freedom, they differ in their approach and interpretation of state-religion interaction, with India’s model emphasizing accommodation and balance, and the Western model emphasizing exclusion and neutrality.

Differences between the Western concept of secularism and Indian secularism

Importance of Secularism

In a diverse country like India, where multiple religions coexist, secularism plays a vital role in maintaining social harmony, protecting minority rights, and fostering national unity.

• Promoting National Unity and Integrity: India is home to all major world religions. Securlarism fosters inclusiveness and harmony, which has helped maintain national unity despite the country’s religious diversity.
• Ensuring Religious Freedom and Tolerance: Secularism guarantees the right to practice any religion or no religion, ensuring equality and tolerance, as seen in India’s community celebration of diverse religious festivals like Diwali, Eid, and Christmas.
• Ensuring Justice: By preventing discrimination, secularism safeguards minority rights, as exemplified by institutions like Aligarh Muslim University, which operates under the protection of constitutional provisions for minorities.
• Preventing Communalism and Religious Conflicts: Secularism works to prevent religious violence and communal strife by promoting rational governance over religious sentiments, as evidenced by government intervention to control riots like the 2002 Gujarat riots.
• Facilitating Scientific Temper and Rational Thinking: Secularism promotes policies based on evidence and scientific reasoning, such as India’s focus on scientific education and rational health policies rather than religious beliefs.
• Encouraging Cultural Exchange and Harmony: Secularism fosters cultural interactions and mutual respect, as seen in the blending of yoga, art, and cuisine from different religious traditions to create a shared cultural identity.
• Preventing Political Exploitation of Religion: Secularism safeguards against the misuse of religion for political gain, as demonstrated by the Representation of the People Act, which prohibits the use of religion in election campaigns to ensure fair and unbiased elections.

Characteristics of Indian Secularism

• Equal Respect and Treatment of All Religions: Indian secularism is based on the principle of Sarva Dharma Sambhava, meaning that the state treats all religions with equal respect and does not favour or discriminate against any particular faith. The government remains neutral in religious matters while ensuring that all communities have the freedom to practice their beliefs.
• Freedom of Religion for All Individuals: The Indian Constitution guarantees every citizen the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate any religion of their choice under Articles 25 to 28.
  • State Intervention to stop exploitation: Although the government can interfere in matters of public order, morality, and health, ensuring that religious practices do not infringe upon the rights of others or when they violate constitutional values such as equality and human dignity. For example, the government has enacted reforms like the abolition of untouchability.
  • State Intervention to Ensure Social Justice: The government canregulate religious institutions to promote social justice or design programs to safeguard certain marginalised communities.
• Protection of Minority Rights: Indian secularism provides special safeguards for religious and linguistic minorities to preserve their cultural heritage and educational rights. Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution protect the interests of minorities by granting them the right to establish and administer their educational institutions.
• Acceptance of Religious Diversity and Pluralism: Indian secularism embraces religious diversity by recognizing and respecting the multiple faiths that coexist within the country. It allows individuals to display their religious identity in public spaces and acknowledges religious festivals, traditions, and cultural practices as part of the national ethos.
• Personal Laws for Different Religious Communities: Unlike the uniform approach of Western secularism, India allows religious communities to have their own personal laws governing matters such as marriage, divorce, and inheritance. This legal pluralism acknowledges the unique customs and traditions of different religious groups while maintaining a balance between religious autonomy and constitutional values.

Relationship Between Secularism and Religion

• Complementary: Secularism allows freedom of religion and ensures equal treatment of all religions without interference, fostering peaceful coexistence. For instance, India’s concept of “Sarva Dharma Samabhava” promotes respect for all religions.
• Contradictory: When religious groups demand preferential treatment, it can clash with secular principles of equality. For example, debates in India over personal laws like Triple Talaq and the Sabarimala temple entry showcase conflicts between secular laws and religious practices.

Importance of Secularism in a Religious Society

• Religious Freedom: Secularism protects individuals’ right to practice or reject religion.
• Social Harmony: It promotes inclusivity and tolerance, reducing communal conflicts.
• Rational Policy-Making: Policies are grounded in reason, science, and universal human rights, promoting reforms such as gender equality.
• Protects Minority Rights: Ensures equality for all religious communities and prevents discrimination.