Secularism is the principle of the
separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the
state from the religious institutions and dignitaries.
Models of secularism –
1.
USA
·
There
is a complete separation or mutual exclusion between politics and religion.
·
The
state does not adopt any religion as the state religion
·
No
one shall be discriminated on the basis of religion
·
It
does not prohibit people from expressing religious sentiments in public sphere
unless they break any law.
Thus there
exists arm length distance between religion and politics and can be termed as
soft secularism
.
.
2.
France
·
There
exists a separation of state and religion
·
It
does not promote any one religion or discourage any as long as beliefs and
practices do not interfere with state or with other citizens rights
·
Due
to its commitment to total separation between religion and state, overt
religious activities and symbols are banned in public sphere (public schools,
public areas etc)
This is termed as one sided distance
or hard secularism.
.
.
1. India
India’s secularism is rooted in its unique socio – historic
circumstances such as religious diversity, freedom struggle which advocated for
equal respect and support for all the religions.
·
The
wall of separation between state and religion is porous. Religion cannot
interfere in state matters but state can interfere in religious matters to give
progressive voice within every religion. Ex – abolition of untouchability
(Article 17), Triple talaq bill
·
It
provides equal protection by the state to all religions through article 25
·
Acceptance
of both individual and community specific rights though articles 25 to 28. Ex –
establishment of religious educational institutions
·
It
positively interferes with religion such as allowing Khalsa tradition in
Sikhism.
Indian secularism maintains
principled distance which means state tries to balance different ambiguous but
equally important values which make our secular principles contextual and
ethically sensible.
.
.