Secularism

Question 1

What are the three main examples of inter-religious domination?

Answer 1

1. More than 2700 Sikhs killed in Delhi and other parts of the country.
2. Thousands of Hindu Kashmiri Pandit is forced to leave their homes in Kashmir Valley.
3. More than 1000 Muslim killed during post-Godhra riots

Question 2

When were the post Godhra riots?

Answer 2

2022 Gujarat

Question 3

In the examples above of sikhs , Hindus and Muslims what is observed?

Answer 3

The basic freedom of a set of citizens is denied

Question 4

What reflects inter-religious domination?

Answer 4

When the members of one community are TARGETED and VICTIMISED on account of their religious identity

Question 5

Give examples of inter-religious domination in Hinduism

Answer 5

1. Dalits have been barred from entering temples.
2. In some parts of the country, women cannot enter Hindu temples.

Question 6

Many religions fragment into sects what does this lead to?

Answer 6

Sectarian violence, and persecution of minorities

Question 7

So in simple terms, what is a secular society?

Answer 7

One free from inter-religious or intra religious domination. A secular society promotes freedom and equality WITHIN and BETWEEN religions

Question 8

What is the number one step to prevent domination by any other religious group in a state?

Answer 8

A state must not be run by heads of any particular religion

Question 9

When a state is run by heads of particular religion, what is it called?

Answer 9

Theocratic

Question 10

What do theocratic states lack?

Answer 10

The lack separation between religious and political institutions

Question 11

What are theocratic states known for?

Answer 11

1. Their hierarchies.
2. Oppressions.
3. Reluctance to allow freedom of religion to members of other religious groups

Question 12

Many non-theocratic states also have close alliance with particular region. Give two examples of this.

Answer 12

1. In 16th century, England was not a theocratic state, but it clearly favoured Anglican church. Anglican religion was even the official religion.
2. In Pakistan, the official religion is Sunni Islam.

Question 13

What is the number two point of a state to prevent domination by any religious group?

Answer 13

A state must not only refuse to be theocratic, but also have no formal, legal alliance with any religion.

Question 14

What does the western model of secularism follow?

Answer 14

Mutual exclusion

Question 15

what does mutual exclusion say?

Answer 15

State will not intervene in affairs of religion and religion will not interfere in affairs of state

Question 16

State and religion, both have ________

Answer 16

Independent jurisdiction

Question 17

A state cannot aid any religious institution, true or false?

Answer 17

True

Question 18

State cannot give __________ to educational institutions run by religious communities

Answer 18

Financial support

Question 19

State cannot hinder the _________ as long as they are ___________

Answer 19

Activities of religious communities. Within the limits set by the law of the land.

Question 20

Religion is a ______ matter, it is not a matter of ________

Answer 20

Private. State policy or law.

Question 21

Indian secularism opposed the oppression of ______ and _______ within Hinduism

Answer 21

Dalits and Women

Question 22

Indian secularism deals not only with religious freedom of _______ but also the religious freedom of __________

Answer 22

Individuals. Minority Communities.

Question 23

In Indian model of secularism, what rights does the individuals and religious minorities have?

Answer 23

Individuals have right to profess the religion of his or her choice. Religious minorities have right to EXIST and MAINTAIN their own culture and educational institutions

Question 24

What laws does the Indian secularism actively support?

Answer 24

It actively supports laws to eliminate discriminatory practises like:
1. Abolishing untouchability.
2. Banning child marriage.
3. Promotion of Inter-caste marriage.

Question 25

Secularism in India means that the state is _____ to all religious groups, but not necessarily _____

Answer 25

Neutral. Separate.

Question 26

What rights does the Indian Constitution grant all religious minorities?

Answer 26

The right to establish and maintain their own educational institutions, and they may receive assistance from the state.

Question 27

What are the criticism of Indian secularism?

Answer 27

1. Anti-religious.
2. Western import.
3. Minoritism.
4. Interventionist.
5. Vote bank politics.
6. Impossible project.

Question 28

Explain the anti-religious criticism of Indian secularism.

Answer 28

Secularism is against religious domination. It is not anti-religious.
Secularism promotes religious freedom and equality

Question 29

Secularism in the west is focused on separating _____ and _____

Answer 29

Religion and government

Question 30

India has developed its own version of secularism. Unlike western model, Indian secularism emphasises on what?

Answer 30

Indian secularism emphasises peaceful coexistence, and protecting rights of various communities

Question 31

Minority rights are justified as long as these rights _______

Answer 31

Protect their fundamental interests

Question 32

What are minority rights for?

Answer 32

Minority rights are to treat the minorities with the same respect and dignity with which others are treated

Question 33

Minority rights should be viewed as special privileges, true or false

Answer 33

False

Question 34

The fourth criticism interventionist, what does it claim?

Answer 34

It claims that secularism interferes EXCESSIVELY with religious freedom of communities

Question 35

When is it a success in the case of vote bank politics?

Answer 35

If a politician is seeking votes because they genuinely want to help a minority group, then it is success. This is because interests of minority are being protected.

Question 36

What is the criticism of Indian secularism being an impossible project?

Answer 36

The criticism is that people believe that secularism can’t work because people with strong religious differences will always fight.

Question 37

What are the two examples that the critics have given for the impossible project criticism?

Answer 37

1. India.
2. Ottoman Empire.
   In both these places, different groups live, but it was often unequal

Question 38

What is the hopeful view of the Impossible project criticism?

Answer 38

The hopeful view is that people also believe that India’s way of practising secularism is being watched by the world. With globalisation and migration, Europe and America becoming as diverse as India. So they want to see if the Indian secularism is a success as it might give them ideas for solving their own challenges.