3.2.2. Secular state

Communalism was and continues to be one of the major challenges to democracy in our country. The makers of our Constitution were aware of this challenge. That is why, they chose the model of a secular state. This choice was reflected in several constitutional provisions that we studied last year:

A secular state is one that does not favor any religion over another. This means the government remains neutral in matters of religion and treats all religious beliefs equally. The framers of the Indian Constitution recognized the problems caused by communalism (conflicts based on religion), so they decided to establish India as a secular state to promote harmony and equality among its diverse religious communities.

Think of a secular state like a referee in a sports game. Just as a referee does not take sides, ensuring fair play for both teams regardless of their backgrounds, a secular state treats all religions equally and does not allow any one religion to dominate.

There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion. The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any. The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. At the same time, the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities. For example, it bans untouchability.

The Indian Constitution has several important provisions that uphold secularism. Firstly, it does not endorse any official religion, which means all religions have the same standing under the law. Secondly, it guarantees freedom of religion, allowing individuals to practice their own faith or none at all. Additionally, it prohibits discrimination based on religion, ensuring everyone has equal rights and opportunities. Importantly, the Constitution also empowers the state to regulate religious practices to promote equality, like outlawing untouchability—a practice that discriminated against certain groups based on caste.

Imagine a neighborhood festival where everyone is welcome regardless of their beliefs. Just like the festival organizes activities that cater equally to everyone and ensures no one is left out, the Constitution works to ensure that everyone in India can practice their religion freely without facing discrimination.

Understood in this sense, secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country. Communalism should not be seen as a threat to some people in India. It threatens the very idea of India. That is why communalism needs to be combated. A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda need to be countered in everyday life and religion-based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Secularism is fundamental to the identity of India as a nation. It ensures that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, can coexist peacefully and with equality. The text emphasizes that communalism—hostility based on religious differences—poses a threat not only to specific communities but to the nation as a whole. While a secular Constitution provides a legal framework, it is also crucial for society to actively challenge communal prejudices and discriminatory practices in daily life and political discourse.

Consider how a school promotes inclusivity among students from diverse backgrounds. If the school actively teaches tolerance and celebrates diversity, it goes beyond simply having a policy against bullying. Similarly, India’s approach to secularism needs to be dynamic, promoting harmony and addressing conflicts proactively rather than relying solely on laws.

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