CONTENT

 INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION

 secularism is the principle of the separation of

government institutions and persons mandated to
represent the state from religious institution and
religious dignitaries (the attainment of such is termed
secularity).
 The term "secularism" was first used by the British writer
George Jacob Holyoake in 1851.
 SECULARISM IN INDIA

 Secularism in India means equal treatment of all religions by the

state.
 With the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India enacted
in 1976, the Preamble to the Constitution asserted that India is a
secular nation.
 Neither India's constitution nor its laws define the relationship
between religion and state.
 India does not have an official state religion.
COMPARISON WITH
WESTERN SECULARISM
 In the west, the word secular implies three thinggs:
freedom of religion, equal citizenship to each citizen
regardless of his/her religion, and the separation of
religion and state.
In contrast, in India the word secular does not imply
separation of religion and state. It means equal
treatment of all religions.
HISTORY
 Indian religions are known to have co-existed and evolved
together for many centuries before the 12th century,
followed by Mughal and colonial era.
 Ashoka about 2200 years ago, Harsha about 1400 years
ago accepted and patronized different religions.

Ashoka about Harsha about

2200 years ago 1400 years ago
ELLORA CAVES
KHAJURAHO TAMPLE
BIRLA MANDIR
PURPOSE

 to stop domination of one religious community over other.

 To overcome the problem that the majority could quite
easily prevent minorities from practicing their religions.
 Country should not be given in the name of religion.
 To stop the partition of the country in the name of religion.
 Reducing ties between a government and a religion.
 Replacing laws based on scripture (such as Torah and
Sharia law) with civil laws.
RELIGIONS IN INDIA
0.0172
0.007 0.0037
0.007

0.1423

0.023
0.002
Buddhism

Sikhism

Jainism

Other religions

Islam
0.798
Christianity

Relision not
stated
Hinduism
RELIGION IN INDIA
 CONCLUSION

 The Indian State is secular and works in various ways to prevent

religious domination. The Indian Constitution guarantees
Fundamental Rights that are based on these secular principles.
However, this is not to say that there is no violation of these rights
in Indian society. Indeed it is precisely because such violations
happen frequently that we need a constitutional mechanism to
prevent them from happening.
EXTRA

 Ellora caves, a world heritage site, are in the Indian

state of Maharashtra. The 35 caves were carved into
the vertical face of the Charanandri hills between the
5th and 10th centuries. The 12 Buddhist caves, 17
Hindu caves and 5 Jain caves, built in proximity,
suggest religious co-existence and secular sentiments
for diversity prevalent during pre-Islamic period of
Indian history.