Topics in the Chapter

• What is Secularism?
• What is Indian Secularism?
• How Indian secularism different from that of other democratic countries?

What is Secularism?

• Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State.

Why is it Important to Separate Religion from the State?

• The separation of religion from State power is important for a country to function
democratically.

• Almost all countries of the world will have more than one religious group living
in them.
→ If majority religious group has access to State power, then they misuse their
power to other
religions.

• Also, we need to protect the freedom of individuals to preach the religion of their
choice.

What is Indian Secularism?

• According to the Constitution, a secular state must ensure:

→ that one religious community does not dominate another
→ that some members do not dominate other members of the same religious
community
→ that the State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the
religious freedom of individuals.

• The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one
religion.

• In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations

, government schools and offices
are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.
• In order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not interfere with religious
practices, the State makes certain exceptions for particular religious communities.
For example: a sikh while riding bike can wear pugri (turban) instead of helmet.

• Indian secularism prevents the domination of majority over minority is through a

strategy of intervention. For example: Untouchability was religion-based exclusion
and discrimination of ‘lower castes’ in Hindu so the Indian Constitution bans
untouchability.

How Indian secularism different from that of other democratic countries?

• The strict separation between religion and the State in American secularism,
while in Indian secularism the State can intervene in religious affairs.

• The Indian Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights that are based on

these secular principles.
Important Questions and Answers
1. What do you mean by coercion?
Ans: In English, coercion generally means forcing a person to do something. In
politics, it refers to the force exerted by various legal authorities, for instance, the
state.

2. What is Freedom to Interpret?

Ans: It refers to the freedom given to all the people to comprehend things in their
way. This chapter pertains to the individual liberty to formulate their understanding
and meaning of the religion they choose to practice.

3. What is State Intervention?

Ans: The state normally has the power to intervene in specific matters that align
with the Constitution. It refers to the state's efforts to influence situations, for
example, religious matters.

4. What do you mean by Secularism?

Ans: Secularism is generally a belief that nobody should be discriminated based on
the religion they follow. Regardless of the religion he/she follows, they are equal
according to the laws & regulations that govern the nation.
5. What are the reasons to separate the power of the state from religion?
Ans: Everyone should have the freedom to choose or to leave any religion and join
another one. People should also have the freedom to interpret religious teachings as
they please.

6. What is Article 17 in the Constitution?

Ans: Article 17 consists of the Right to Equality. It is also directly related to the
'Abolition of untouchability.'
It states that:
"Untouchability" is abolished, and its practice in any form is absolutely forbidden.
The enforcement of any disability arising out of "Untouchability" shall be an
offence punishable by law."

7. Give the strategies followed by the Indian government in order to establish

and maintain secularism.
Ans:
1. The strategy of non-interference.
2. The strategy of distancing itself from a religion.
3. The strategy of intervention

8. What do you mean by religion?

Ans: Religion is normally a set of personal beliefs and related practices to divinity.
It refers to people's opinions and beliefs concerning the existence, worship, and
divinity of nature.

9. What does the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution prohibit?

Ans: The first amendment of the US Constitution prohibits the legislature from
creating laws "respecting an establishment of religion" or laws which "prohibit the
free exercise of religion." This means that the legislature cannot declare any
particular religion as the official religion or any religious community's preferences.

10. Why does a country need laws?

Ans: So as to avoid people from socially unjust and cultural practices. To establish
equality between people as society discriminates against the underprivileged lower
caste people.
What Do You Understand by Secularism?
As per Class 8 Civics Chapter 2, the answer to the question ‘what is secularism’
will be the principle that guides a state to remain separate from and non impacted
upon by religious institutions.

A strategy was adopted by India in view of separating the power of religion from
the power of the State. The separation of religion from the State is termed as
Secularism. According to Understanding Secularism Class 8 notes, Indians are
permitted to live by their religious beliefs freely and practise the same.

Why is it Important to Separate Religion From State?

The answer to the question ‘why it is important to separate religion from state’ is
beautifully answered in the Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 notes. According to the study
material, religion should be kept separate from the State because:
 It enables the country to function democratically.
 The people belonging to the minority communities can otherwise be harmed
by the domination of the majority and there can be an infringement of the
Fundamental Rights.
 Individuals can exit from their religion and another religion can be embraced
by them through Secularism. According to the law, people can interpret
religious teachings in different ways.

What is Indian Secularism Class 8?

According to the Constitution of India, the Indian states must be secular. The
following objectives of Secularism can be ensured only by a secular state. The
following points also explain the answer to the question of what are the objectives
of Indian Secularism.
 One religious community cannot be dominated by another religious
community.
 Members of one religious community cannot be dominated by the members
of the other religious communities.
 Any particular religion cannot be enforced by the state and religious freedom
should not be taken away from any individual.

Steps Taken to Protect Secularism in India:

Following steps are taken by Indian State to protect Secularism in India:
 a. Various strategies are taken to keep a distance from religion. No religion is
displayed or promoted in government offices such as law courts, police
stations, government schools, etc.
b. The strategy of non-interference is adopted by the Govt. According to the
above-mentioned fact, religions of all religious communities are given equal
respect. There are a few exceptions in this case.
c. A strategy of intervention is also adopted. The laws related to equivalent
legacy rights are respected and the religion-based ‘personal laws’ of
communities can be intervened by the State to ensure the same.
d. The intervention of the State can also be in the form of assistance. One
example of it is the establishment of schools and colleges by the religious
communities and the fact that they are mostly granted by the Government of
India. Financial aid is also given to these communities on a non-preferential
basis.

In What Way is Indian Secularism Different From that of Other Democratic

Countries?
Secularism Class 8 also answers the question, "How is Indian secularism different
from that of other democratic countries?" The fundamental distinction is the
dominating character of comprehending Secularism as practised in the United
States of America. In the case of American Secularism, religion is tightly
segregated from the state. In the case of Indian secularism, the state may meddle in
religious matters. This is the most notable distinction between Indian secularism
and secularism in other democratic countries.

Did You Know?

 Govt schools can never promote any religion.
 Untouchability is banned by the Govt. of India to prevent religion-based
exclusion and lower caste discrimination.
 India has been a secular country from the beginning of the implementation
of the Indian Constitution.
 The word ‘Secularism’ is officially added to the Indian Constitution by the
42nd Amendment Act.
 The most significant aspect of Secularism is its separation of religion from
the state’s power.