8.4. The Indian Model of Secularism

Sometimes it is said that Indian secularism is an imitation of western secularism. But a careful reading of our Constitution shows that this is not the case. Indian secularism is fundamentally different from Western secularism.

Indian secularism emerged from the country's deep religious diversity and predated Western concepts of secularism. This means it was shaped by India's unique cultural context rather than being a direct import from the West. The Indian model embraces both the idea of inter-religious equality and the challenges posed by intra-religious issues, creating a more inclusive framework.

Think of Indian secularism as a patchwork quilt, where each square represents a different community and its unique beliefs. Just as a quilt includes many colors and patterns to form a cohesive whole, Indian secularism aims to incorporate and respect the diverse religious identities present in the country.

Indian secularism does not focus only on church-state separation and the idea of inter-religious equality is crucial to the Indian conception.

The distinctiveness of Indian secularism lies in its emphasis on equality not just between different religions (inter-religious equality) but also within religions (intra-religious equality). This means that the rights and dignity of individuals within a religious group are also protected, alongside the need to ensure that different religions coexist peacefully.

Imagine a sports team where all players, regardless of their backgrounds, are given equal opportunities to play. Just as the success of a team depends on ensuring that every player feels valued and has a fair chance to contribute, Indian secularism seeks to create an environment where both individuals within a religion and different religions can thrive and coexist without oppression.

The advent of western modernity brought to the fore hitherto neglected and marginalised notions of equality in Indian thought... Thus, Indian secularism took on a distinct form as a result of an interaction between what already existed in a society that had religious diversity and the ideas that came from the west.

The interaction between pre-existing Indian values and Western ideas of equality contributed to the unique structure of Indian secularism. Instead of imitating Western secularism, India adapted and evolved its own framework that recognized existing cultural practices and aimed for a more inclusive society.

Think of Indian secularism as a garden where indigenous plants have coexisted with new seeds brought from faraway lands. The garden thrives because it respects and nurtures both the local plants and the newcomers, creating a rich diversity rather than replacing one with the other.

Since a secular state must be concerned equally with intra-religious domination, Indian secularism has made room for and is compatible with the idea of state-supported religious reform.

Indian secularism addresses not only conflicts between different religions but also within individual religions. The state can support reforms that promote equality and freedom within a religion. By banning practices like untouchability or promoting gender equality within religious practices, Indian secularism seeks to ensure that all members within a religion are treated equally.

Imagine a school where older traditions are revered but are also subject to new, inclusive practices that promote fairness. For instance, the school may have a tradition of deference to seniors but now includes programs that ensure all students, regardless of their background, have equitable access to educational resources.

The secular character of the Indian state is established by virtue of the fact that it is neither theocratic nor has it established any one or multiple religions.

Unlike some Western secular systems that emphasize a strict separation of religion and state (mutual exclusion), Indian secularism allows for a more nuanced relationship, termed 'principled distance.' This means that while the state does not favor any religion, it can engage with religious matters to uphold equality and address injustices, without endorsing or promoting a religion as the state religion.

Think of a referee at a sports game. The referee must remain impartial and not favor any team (mutual exclusion), but they also need to step in when rules are broken to maintain fairness and ensure a smooth game (principled distance). This way, the game is played fairly without favoring one team over another.

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