Roadmap for Answer Writing
1. Introduction
- Define Secularism: Briefly explain what secularism means in the Indian context.
- Thesis Statement: State that India’s secular approach is characterized by “principled distance” rather than “equi-distance,” indicating how the State engages differently with various religions.
2. Principled Distance Explained
- Philosophical Basis: Introduce the concept of “Sarva Dharma Samabhava” (equal respect for all religions) as foundational to Indian secularism.
- State’s Role: Mention that the State maintains a distance while allowing engagement based on social needs.
3. Examples Illustrating Principled Distance
A. State Interference for Social Equality
- Caste-Based Interventions: Discuss the abolition of untouchability under Article 17 of the Indian Constitution.
- Fact: Article 17 prohibits untouchability, highlighting the State’s intervention in Hindu practices for social equality (Source: Indian Constitution).
B. Financial Support and Subsidies
- Religious Pilgrimage Subsidies: Explain how the State provides financial assistance for different religious pilgrimages.
- Fact: The Indian State subsidizes trips to Nankana Sahib for Sikhs, Amarnath Cave for Hindus, and Mecca for Hajj for Muslims (before 2018) (Source: Ministry of Minority Affairs).
C. Legal Reforms
- Reform of Hindu Personal Laws: Discuss how Hindu laws have been reformed without imposing similar changes on other religions.
- Fact: Polygamy was abolished for Hindus but remains allowed in Muslim personal law (Source: Hindu Code Bills).
4. Differentiation in Treatment
- Citizenship Amendment Act: Highlight the selective nature of State interventions.
- Fact: The Citizenship Amendment Act grants citizenship to non-Muslim migrants while excluding Muslims (Source: Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019).
5. Conclusion
- Summary of Key Points: Recap the main arguments supporting the idea of principled distance.
- Final Thoughts: Reflect on how this approach aims to maintain social harmony and address historical injustices, making Indian secularism unique and context-sensitive.
Relevant Facts and Sources
- Article 17: Prohibits untouchability, highlighting State intervention in caste issues (Source: Indian Constitution).
- Pilgrimage Subsidies: Financial assistance for various religious pilgrimages illustrates selective support (Source: Ministry of Minority Affairs).
- Hindu Code Bills: Polygamy prohibited for Hindus but allowed for Muslims, showing differential treatment (Source: Hindu Code Bills).
- Citizenship Amendment Act: Grants citizenship to certain religious communities while excluding Muslims (Source: Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019).
By following this roadmap, you can create a well-structured and coherent answer that effectively discusses India’s secular approach and its implications.
Model Answer
Introduction
India’s secularism is characterized by a “principled distance” from religions rather than an “equi-distance.” This distinction highlights how the Indian State engages with various religions based on social needs and historical contexts.
Principled Distance in Practice
Indian secularism does not advocate for a complete separation of religion from the State. Instead, it embodies the philosophy of “Sarva Dharma Samabhava,” which means equal respect for all religions. The State maintains a principled distance, meaning that while it is institutionally separate from religion, it often intervenes in religious matters to uphold social justice and equality.
State Interference for Social Equality
For instance, to combat caste-based discrimination, the Indian State intervened in Hindu practices by abolishing untouchability under Article 17 of the Constitution. This demonstrates that the State may prioritize certain religions when promoting universal values like social equality.
Financial Support and Subsidies
Moreover, the State subsidizes religious pilgrimages differently. For example, financial assistance is provided to Sikhs traveling to Nankana Sahib, Hindus visiting Amarnath Cave, and Muslims going to Mecca for Hajj (before 2018). This selective financial support underscores that not all religions receive equal treatment, reflecting a principled rather than equi-distance approach.
Legal Reforms
The reform of Hindu personal laws, such as the prohibition of polygamy, further illustrates this point. While polygamy was deemed non-essential to Hinduism and abolished, it remains permissible in Muslim personal law. Such discrepancies reveal the State’s nuanced engagement with different religions based on a context-sensitive approach.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s secularism operates on a model of principled distance, allowing the State to engage selectively and constructively with different religions. This approach aims to foster social harmony and address historical injustices, demonstrating that secularism in India is neither rigid nor uniform but rather adaptive to the needs of its diverse populace.