Secularism as an orientation and a set of practices is indispensable to India's future as a liberal democracy Discuss

India is known for its diversity – of religion, language, culture, and tradition. In a country where people of different faiths like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and others live side by side, maintaining peace and harmony is a major challenge. This is where secularism plays a critical role. It means that the state should not favour or discriminate against any religion and that all religions are equal in the eyes of the law.

In the context of liberal democracy, where citizens are free to express themselves, follow their beliefs, and participate in the decision-making process, secularism becomes essential. In India, secularism is not just a legal concept written in the Constitution; it is a way of life, a mindset, and a set of daily practices. This article will explore why secularism is indispensable to India’s future as a liberal democracy.

What is Secularism?

Secularism can be understood in simple terms as the separation of religion from politics and government. It means:

The state does not have a religion of its own.
The state treats all religions equally.
No religious group gets special privileges from the government.
People are free to practice, preach, or change their religion.

In India, secularism is more than just the absence of religion in politics. It also involves respect for all religions, protection of religious minorities, and efforts to prevent communal violence.

Secularism in the Indian Constitution

The word ‘secular’ was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act in 1976, but the spirit of secularism was always present in the Constitution.

Several articles reflect secular values:

Article 14: Equality before the law.
Article 15: No discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
Article 26-28: Religious freedom and rights of religious institutions.
Article 30: Rights of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions.

Thus, secularism is not only a political principle but also a constitutional guarantee in India.

Secularism as an Orientation

Secularism as an orientation refers to the attitude or mindset of individuals and institutions towards religion in public life. In this sense, secularism promotes:

Tolerance among different communities.
Acceptance of cultural and religious diversity.
A non-biased approach by state authorities.
Empathy and harmony in society.

An individual who has a secular orientation believes that religion is a personal matter and should not interfere with public policies or laws. For a society to be peaceful, this secular orientation is very important.

Secularism as a Set of Practices

Secularism is not just a theory. It must be reflected in practices, especially by:

Government institutions: Law and order must be maintained without religious bias.
Political leaders: They should not use religion to gain votes or divide people.
Educational systems: Schools and colleges must promote scientific thinking and respect for all faiths.
Media and civil society: They should not spread hate or stereotypes based on religion.

For example:

Organizing inter-faith dialogues.
Celebrating festivals of all religions in government offices or schools.
Avoiding religious symbols in official functions.
Fair distribution of government benefits to all communities.

These practices help in building a truly secular society.

Importance of Secularism for India’s Liberal Democracy

India is a liberal democracy, which means that it is governed by the rule of law, with protection of individual rights, free elections, and a vibrant civil society. In such a system, secularism plays a vital role.

1. Protects Religious Minorities

India has several religious minorities – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and others. Secularism ensures that their rights are protected, and they can live without fear. Without secularism, majority groups may dominate and minorities may feel unsafe.

2. Promotes Social Unity

Secularism helps to reduce communal tensions and religious conflicts. It encourages people to focus on shared goals like development, education, and employment rather than on religious differences.

3. Ensures Equal Citizenship

In a liberal democracy, all citizens should be treated equally. Secularism ensures that religion does not determine your rights or duties. Everyone is equal under the law, regardless of their faith.

4. Prevents Misuse of Religion in Politics

Secularism keeps religion separate from politics. In India, there have been many cases where political parties tried to win votes by creating religious divisions. Secularism stops such practices and keeps politics focused on real issues.

5. Encourages Freedom of Thought

Liberal democracy allows people to think freely, speak openly, and question authority. Secularism supports this by ensuring that no religion is beyond criticism and that people can express differing views without fear.

Challenges to Secularism in India

While secularism is essential, it faces many challenges in India today:

1. Communal Violence

Riots and clashes between religious groups still occur. These events shake the very foundation of secularism.

2. Religious Polarisation

Some political groups use religion to create fear and divide people. This weakens national unity and democracy.

3. Discrimination in Daily Life

People still face discrimination in housing, jobs, and education based on their religion.

4. Media Influence

Sometimes, media channels spread religious hatred or stereotypes, which further divides society.

5. Lack of Awareness

Many citizens do not understand what secularism truly means. They confuse it with being anti-religion or favouring only minorities.

Steps to Strengthen Secularism in India

To protect India’s future as a liberal democracy, we must strengthen secularism in the following ways:

1. Education and Awareness

Teach students about the values of tolerance, equality, and harmony from a young age. Promote moral education that encourages respect for all religions.

2. Strong Laws Against Hate

Make sure that people who spread hatred or incite violence based on religion are punished quickly and fairly.

3. Responsible Media

Media houses must be held accountable for spreading fake news or promoting religious divisions.

4. Judicial Independence

The judiciary must continue to act as a guardian of secular values and strike down any law or policy that discriminates based on religion.

5. Civic Engagement

Citizens should participate in community-building efforts, volunteer in inter-faith activities, and stand up against injustice wherever it happens.

Examples of Secularism in Practice

India has seen many good examples of secularism:

Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar strongly believed in religious equality.
Indian festivals like Diwali, Eid, Christmas, and Gurpurab are celebrated across religious lines in many communities.
Relief efforts during natural disasters often see people of all religions coming together to help.
The Indian Armed Forces are a shining example of secularism, where soldiers of all faiths serve together with honour and respect.

India’s greatness lies in its unity in diversity. To maintain this unity, secularism must be upheld both in spirit and in action. As India continues to develop and modernize, secularism will be key to ensuring justice, equality, and freedom for all citizens.

Without secularism, India risks becoming a divided nation where fear and hatred grow. But with strong secular values, India can become a model liberal democracy, where all religions coexist peacefully, and every citizen feels safe, respected, and included.

In the words of Jawaharlal Nehru, “We talk about a secular India where every religion has equal rights and opportunities, where no religion is superior or inferior to another. That must remain our ideal.”