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Secularism

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Home/Indian Society/Secularism/Page 3

Mains Answer Writing Latest Questions

Raha Bora
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Raha BoraBegginer
Asked: September 20, 2024In:
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Talk about how social justice and secularism intersect with caste and religion.

upsc: secularism
  1. Gaurav Reddy
    Gaurav Reddy Begginer

    The intersection of caste and religion in India profoundly influences the discourse around secularism and social justice. This relationship is complex, as both caste and religion are deeply embedded in the social fabric of Indian society and often intersect in ways that can challenge the principlesRead more

    The intersection of caste and religion in India profoundly influences the discourse around secularism and social justice. This relationship is complex, as both caste and religion are deeply embedded in the social fabric of Indian society and often intersect in ways that can challenge the principles of secularism. Here are some key aspects to consider:

    1. Caste as a Social Hierarchy

    • Caste System: The caste system categorizes individuals into hierarchical groups based on birth, affecting access to resources, education, and social mobility. This social stratification can often overlap with religious identities, as many communities are linked to specific castes.
    • Religious Dimensions: Certain religions in India, particularly Hinduism, have caste-based stratifications encoded in their texts and practices. This complicates secularism, as it raises questions about how religious practices can be reconciled with the ideals of equality and justice.

    2. Secularism and Caste Discrimination

    • Legal Framework: While the Indian Constitution guarantees equality and prohibits discrimination based on caste, the reality often falls short. The intersection of caste and religion can lead to continued social exclusion and discrimination, challenging the efficacy of secular principles.
    • Affirmative Action: Policies aimed at addressing caste-based inequalities, such as reservations in education and employment, are essential for promoting social justice. However, these policies can sometimes lead to tensions, particularly when religious groups perceive them as unfair advantages for specific communities.

    3. Communalism and Caste Politics

    • Political Mobilization: Political parties often exploit both caste and religious identities to consolidate support. This can lead to a scenario where communal politics overshadows secular governance, with caste-based considerations influencing electoral strategies and policy decisions.
    • Identity Politics: The intertwining of caste and religion can result in identity politics that reinforces divisions rather than promotes unity. Such dynamics can challenge the secular ideal of a society where individuals are seen beyond their communal identities.

    4. Social Justice Movements

    • Intersectional Activism: Movements advocating for social justice increasingly recognize the need to address both caste and religious discrimination. This intersectional approach seeks to create alliances across communities to combat systemic inequalities and promote inclusive policies.
    • Caste-Religious Solidarity: Some social justice movements emphasize the need for solidarity among marginalized groups, regardless of caste or religion, advocating for a broader understanding of equality that encompasses various forms of discrimination.

    5. Impact on Secular Education

    • Curriculum and Representation: Educational content often reflects societal biases related to caste and religion. Secular education can help challenge stereotypes and promote a more inclusive understanding of Indian history and culture, but it can also reproduce existing hierarchies if not critically examined.
    • Empowerment through Education: Efforts to provide equitable educational opportunities can empower marginalized communities and help dismantle caste-based discrimination, thereby supporting the principles of secularism and social justice.

    6. Religious Reform Movements

    • Challenging Caste Within Religions: Some religious reform movements, particularly within Hinduism and Buddhism, actively challenge caste discrimination, advocating for a more egalitarian interpretation of religious texts. These movements often align with broader secular and social justice goals.
    • Interfaith Initiatives: Interfaith dialogues that address both caste and religious discrimination can foster mutual understanding and cooperation among different communities, promoting a more cohesive secular society.

    Conclusion

    The intersection of caste and religion poses significant challenges and opportunities for secularism and social justice in India. Addressing these intertwined issues requires a nuanced approach that acknowledges the historical and social complexities at play. Promoting inclusive policies, encouraging inter-community dialogue, and fostering a critical examination of both caste and religious identities are essential for advancing the goals of secularism and achieving social justice in contemporary India.

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Raha Bora
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Raha BoraBegginer
Asked: September 20, 2024In:
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How does secularism affect the formulation of laws pertaining to minorities’ rights, health, and education?

upsc: secularism
  1. Gaurav Reddy
    Gaurav Reddy Begginer

    Secularism significantly influences policy-making in India, particularly in areas like health, education, and minority rights. Here’s how it impacts these domains: 1. Health Policy Universal Access: Secularism promotes the idea that health services should be accessible to all, regardless of religiouRead more

    Secularism significantly influences policy-making in India, particularly in areas like health, education, and minority rights. Here’s how it impacts these domains:

    1. Health Policy

    • Universal Access: Secularism promotes the idea that health services should be accessible to all, regardless of religious affiliation. This is reflected in policies aimed at providing universal healthcare, ensuring that marginalized communities receive necessary medical attention without discrimination.
    • Public Health Campaigns: Secular principles guide public health initiatives to be inclusive and culturally sensitive. Campaigns addressing issues like vaccination, maternal health, and disease prevention often seek to engage diverse communities, respecting their beliefs while promoting public health.
    • Intervention in Harmful Practices: Secularism supports the state’s role in regulating practices that may be harmful, regardless of religious justification, such as certain traditional medical practices or rituals that may compromise health.

    2. Education Policy

    • Inclusive Curriculum: Secularism influences the educational curriculum to promote a broad understanding of various cultures and religions, fostering respect and tolerance among students. This helps counter communal biases and promotes a sense of unity.
    • Reservation Policies: In higher education, affirmative action policies are designed to uplift marginalized communities, including religious minorities. These policies reflect a commitment to equity, aligning with secular principles by ensuring representation and access for all.
    • Secular Schools: Secularism underpins the establishment of educational institutions that do not promote any particular religion. This fosters an environment where students from diverse backgrounds can learn together, reinforcing social cohesion.

    3. Minority Rights

    • Protection of Rights: Secularism is foundational to laws and policies aimed at protecting the rights of religious and cultural minorities. This includes provisions for personal laws, cultural preservation, and the right to practice one’s religion freely.
    • Affirmative Action: Policies aimed at supporting minority communities—such as job reservations and scholarships—are influenced by the secular commitment to equality and social justice. These measures seek to address historical injustices and provide opportunities for underrepresented groups.
    • Legal Frameworks: Secularism informs judicial interpretations and legal frameworks that seek to uphold the rights of minorities against discrimination. Courts often refer to secular principles when adjudicating cases involving religious freedoms and minority rights.

    4. Social Cohesion and Conflict Resolution

    • Promoting Harmony: Secularism fosters policies aimed at promoting communal harmony and resolving conflicts. Initiatives that encourage interfaith dialogue and collaboration reflect a commitment to maintaining peace in a diverse society.
    • Addressing Grievances: Secularism provides a framework for addressing grievances related to caste and religious discrimination. Policy-making processes often include mechanisms for redress and reconciliation, ensuring that all voices are heard.

    Conclusion

    Overall, secularism serves as a guiding principle in policy-making across health, education, and minority rights in India. By promoting inclusivity, equality, and respect for diversity, secularism helps create a framework for addressing the needs of a pluralistic society. However, the effectiveness of these policies depends on consistent implementation and the political will to uphold secular values in practice.

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Swapna Sundari
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Swapna SundariLearner
Asked: January 20, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Define Secularization: Briefly explain secularization as the process where religion loses its influence over various aspects of social, cultural, and political life. Example: “Secularization refers to the diminishing role of religion in influencing social practices, institutions, and ...

upsc: secularism
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Secularization, the process of diminishing religious influence in various aspects of life, has brought significant social changes in India. These changes reflect a shift towards a more modern, equitable, and rational social structure. 1. Changing Notions of Purity and Pollution TraditioRead more

    Model Answer

    Secularization, the process of diminishing religious influence in various aspects of life, has brought significant social changes in India. These changes reflect a shift towards a more modern, equitable, and rational social structure.

    1. Changing Notions of Purity and Pollution

    • Traditional ideas of purity and pollution, rooted in religious rituals, are losing their significance.
    • Example: The fading of taboos around inter-caste dining demonstrates a move toward social inclusivity.

    2. Transformation of the Caste Structure

    • Secularization has reduced caste’s role in ritual hierarchies, transforming it into a power-oriented identity in democratic politics.
    • Example: Political parties now leverage caste identities for representation and power dynamics, such as caste-based alliances in elections.

    3. Encouragement of Individualism

    • Secularization fosters individual autonomy, promoting egalitarian roles in families and society.
    • Example: Couples increasingly prioritize personal goals, leading to smaller families or childless marriages.

    4. Adoption of a Scientific Attitude

    • A shift from religious to scientific explanations is evident.
    • Example: People increasingly rely on medical professionals rather than faith-based healers for health concerns.

    5. Educational Transformation

    • Secular education promotes universal values like truth and honesty, independent of religious teachings.
    • Example: Schools emphasize principles that apply across communities, fostering a collective moral outlook.

    Conclusion

    Secularization has reshaped Indian society by challenging traditional norms, promoting rationality, and encouraging inclusivity. While adapting to these changes requires collective efforts, it also offers opportunities to build a more just and equitable society that values diversity and shared progress.

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Sattriya Barnali Kalita
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Sattriya Barnali KalitaLearner
Asked: January 27, 2025In:
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Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Define Secularism: Briefly introduce the concept of secularism as a principle that advocates for the separation of religion from the state. In the Indian context, this often means the state should be neutral to all religions. Contextualize ...

upsc: secularism
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    Model Answer Secularism in India has evolved into a multifaceted concept, deeply tied to the country's socio-cultural and political context. Broadly, secularism in India can be understood in several ways: Principled Distance from Religion: Indian secularism advocates a separation between the state aRead more

    Model Answer

    Secularism in India has evolved into a multifaceted concept, deeply tied to the country’s socio-cultural and political context. Broadly, secularism in India can be understood in several ways:

    1. Principled Distance from Religion: Indian secularism advocates a separation between the state and religion, but this doesn’t imply complete detachment. The state can intervene in religious practices to remove outdated or discriminatory practices, such as untouchability or triple talaq, while maintaining a principled distance from religious affairs.
    2. Religious Tolerance: Another significant understanding of secularism in India is the promotion of religious tolerance. The Indian state ensures that individuals of all religions are free to practice their faith without facing discrimination or persecution, as guaranteed by the Constitution.
    3. Equal Treatment of Religions: Secularism in India also implies equal treatment of all religions. The state must not show favoritism toward any particular religion, ensuring that every religion is treated impartially.
    4. Cultural Pluralism: India’s secularism also celebrates its diversity, acknowledging the coexistence of multiple religions, cultures, and languages. The state’s role is to respect and promote this pluralism, reflecting India’s composite cultural heritage.
    5. Freedom of Religion: Freedom of religion, as enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, guarantees that every individual has the right to practice, profess, and propagate their religion freely.

    Yes, religious identity often takes precedence over other forms of identity in India, and several factors contribute to this:

    1. Communal Tensions: The history of communal violence, particularly between Hindus and Muslims, has amplified religious identity, with individuals seeking protection and representation from their religious community.
    2. Personal Belief: Religion plays a crucial personal role for many Indians, shaping their worldview, daily life, and social interactions, which makes it more prominent than other identities like linguistic or regional.
    3. Political Mobilization: Political parties have frequently utilized religious identity to mobilize voters, often leveraging religious sentiments to gain support.
    4. Socialization: From an early age, individuals in India are socialized into religious communities, which reinforces the primacy of religious identity over other social markers.
    5. Legal Framework: India’s legal system also reinforces religious identity through laws specific to each community, particularly in personal matters like marriage and inheritance, further embedding religious identity.

    In conclusion, while secularism in India promotes a pluralistic and inclusive society, religious identity remains a dominant force in both personal and political life, often overshadowing other forms of identity.

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Ayon Iyengar
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Ayon IyengarLearner
Asked: February 12, 2025In:
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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 ...

upsc: secularism
  1. Team
    Best Answer
    Team Supreme

    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 IndiaRead more

    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.

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[Deleted User]
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[Deleted User]
Asked: July 16, 2024In: , , , ,
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How can antinatalism reconcile its concern for minimizing suffering through reduced birth rates with the human instinct for procreation and the cultural, economic, and emotional rewards that come with raising children?

  1. sushma_1905
    sushma_1905 Begginer

    Antinatalism reconciles its concern for minimizing suffering with the instinct for procreation and the rewards of raising children by emphasizing ethical reflection and societal change. Here are some ways it addresses this reconciliation: Ethical Education: Antinatalists advocate for increased awareRead more

    Antinatalism reconciles its concern for minimizing suffering with the instinct for procreation and the rewards of raising children by emphasizing ethical reflection and societal change. Here are some ways it addresses this reconciliation:

    1. Ethical Education: Antinatalists advocate for increased awareness about the ethical implications of procreation. By promoting education on the potential suffering associated with life, they encourage individuals to make more informed choices about having children.
    2. Alternative Fulfillment: They suggest seeking fulfillment through other means, such as personal growth, relationships, and contributing to society in non-reproductive ways. The joys of creativity, mentorship, and community involvement can provide emotional and cultural rewards similar to those of raising children.
    3. Policy and Support Systems: Antinatalists support policies that provide economic and social support for individuals who choose not to have children. This includes access to birth control, comprehensive sex education, and resources for voluntary childlessness.
    4. Cultural Shift: They aim for a cultural shift that values and respects the decision not to procreate. By challenging pronatalist norms, antinatalists hope to reduce the social pressure to have children and highlight the importance of considering the broader implications of bringing new lives into the world.
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Prisha
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Prisha
Asked: July 10, 2024In:
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Do you think that it is correct to make fun of one’s religion on social media just to gain views ?

  1. Jaspreet Walia
    Jaspreet Walia Begginer

    No, it is not correct to make fun of one’s religion on social media just to gain views. Social Media is a platform which aims to work towards connecting human beings with each other and to increase their social circle. Although in today’s world social media is free and people across the world are frRead more

    No, it is not correct to make fun of one’s religion on social media just to gain views. Social Media is a platform which aims to work towards connecting human beings with each other and to increase their social circle. Although in today’s world social media is free and people across the world are free to share their views, still opinions must be shared taking into consideration the impact they may have on someone else’s life as well. Religion is a deeply personal and significant aspect of many people’s lives. It is one of the aspects that forms basis of a person’s life. From their upbringing to values, from cultures to traditions most of the things inculcated by them are highly influenced by religion. Everyone has the right to their beliefs and practices. Making fun of something so personal to someone else just for the sake of views is a morally wrong way of using social media. Not only does it hurt the sentiments of an individual or a community but it may also increase social tension between communities that may in turn result into bigger conflicts. In many jurisdictions, making fun of or attacking someone’s religion can fall under hate speech or anti-discrimination laws, leading to legal consequences. A content creator may also be charged under laws for bullying, harassment and for promoting communal riots. Thus it is ethically, morally and legally wrong to make fun of one’s religion on social media just to gain views.

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VISHAL KUMAR
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VISHAL KUMARBegginer
Asked: July 11, 2024In:
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What does legal dimensions of Indian Secularism means ?

  1. Shristi Chopra
    Shristi Chopra Begginer

    The constitutional framework and judicial interpretations that guarantee the state's equal treatment of all religions embody the legal aspects of Indian secularism. Indian secularism entails the state actively defending the right to freedom of religion while upholding a principled distance from allRead more

    The constitutional framework and judicial interpretations that guarantee the state’s equal treatment of all religions embody the legal aspects of Indian secularism. Indian secularism entails the state actively defending the right to freedom of religion while upholding a principled distance from all religions, in contrast to the Western understanding of secularism, which frequently suggests a rigid barrier between religion and state. Important clauses in the constitution including Articles 14, 15, 25, 26, 27, and 28 uphold the concepts of freedom of conscience and religion, nondiscrimination based on religion, and equality before the law. India’s devotion to these ideas is reflected in the Preamble to the Indian Constitution, which declares the country to be a secular republic.

    Secularism has been reaffirmed by court decisions as a fundamental component of the Constitution, most notably in judgements such as S.R. Bommai v. Union of India and Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala. This dedication is further demonstrated by the state’s laws and customs, which include acknowledging religious holidays and providing assistance to religious organisations. Notwithstanding obstacles such as intergroup violence and discussions surrounding a Uniform Civil Code, the legal system works to preserve secular values, guaranteeing a diverse and welcoming community.

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Tanishq Soni
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Tanishq SoniBegginer
Asked: July 11, 2024In: , , , , , ,
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“UCC is a transition step from positive secularism to the ideal of negative secularism.” Elucidate the statement and discuss the implications of the given statement.

  1. Vipashu Gautam
    Vipashu Gautam Begginer

    The concept of secularism sparks intense debate. It encompasses two main concepts.   Positive secularism, followed in India, involves the state recognizing religious coexistence and striving to foster a healthy relationship between religions and the state. It prioritizes minority rights and advRead more

    The concept of secularism sparks intense debate. It encompasses two main concepts.

     

    Positive secularism, followed in India, involves the state recognizing religious coexistence and striving to foster a healthy relationship between religions and the state. It prioritizes minority rights and advocates for religious pluralism.

     

    Negative secularism, on the other hand, advocates for a strict separation between religion and the state. It dictates that religion should not interfere in state matters, and vice versa. All religions are considered equal in the eyes of the law.

     

    Uniform Civil Code aims to establish a common set of laws for all citizens, replacing personal laws granted to specific religious communities. It ensures equal treatment of all citizens, regardless of their religion.

     

    Indeed it can be inferred that implementation of UCC in India will be the first step towards achieving the ideal of Negative Secularism . Which is idealised as perfect equality .

     

    Implications of implementing UCC in India can be different across different Communities as :-

    It is opposed by some minority communities because it seeks to abbrogate their personal religious laws.  And they think that this is unnecessary intervention of government in their religious matter.

    While some people thinks UCC is necessary for national integration and Equal treatment of people before law .

    It is also written in Directive Principles of State Policy in Constitution Article 44 that “The State shall endeavour to secure for the citizens a uniform civil code throughout the territory of India.”

    I think that UCC is necessary also for stopping illegal religious conversions and stopping the interference of government in all the religions.  A uniform code is required to make a strong legal system which will also be effucient .

     

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Yash Malhotra
  • 2
Yash MalhotraBegginer
Asked: July 12, 2024In:
  • 2

Do you believe that India is becoming a more secular society? If so, how? If not, what would be the reason?

upsc: secularism
  1. Rajni Gautam
    Rajni Gautam Begginer

    Secularisation is the process where a society transforms from having a close identification with religious values and institutions towards non-religious values and institutions. It is a reflection of the fact that as a society undergoes modernisation, the authority of religion diminishes in all theRead more

    Secularisation is the process where a society transforms from having a close identification with religious values and institutions towards non-religious values and institutions. It is a reflection of the fact that as a society undergoes modernisation, the authority of religion diminishes in all the aspects of social life and governance. Indian society with its economic and social growth has been experiencing a similar process of secularisation.

    Key Features Of Secularized Society

    1. State independent of religion.
    2. Diminishing authority of religion and religious institutions.
    3. Fall in religion and caste-based oppression and violence.
    4. Rise of modern and secular institutions.
    5. Individuals do not primarily identify with religion, caste, language and region.

    Secularization Of Indian Society

    Secularisation in India has been a gradual process which started at the outset of independence and has been a key feature of Indian society since then.

    1. Secularism and Constitution of India

    1. “We the people of India…” adopted the constitution not just as a legal document, rather it reflects the vision and mission of Indian society as a whole.
    2. It abolished all the discriminations based on religion and is committed to equality, justice and fraternity. To further validate the secular nature of India, the word “secular” was inserted by the 42nd constitutional amendment act.
    3. Constitutional provisions such as Article 15, 16, 17 and 25 etc are examples of secular expectations of Indian society.

    2. Secularism and Laws & Acts of India

    1. Parliament is a congregation of representatives chosen by people of India. They make laws and acts fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
    2. Beginning from Hindu Code Bills in the 1950s till Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Act, 2019, hundreds of laws and acts were passed and implemented to transform Indian society.

    3. Cases and Judgements

    1. People are filing PILs pleading to discard discriminatory practices of the religion. It indicates the increasing tendencies of questioning the religion, which is a secular trait.
    2. The Sabarimala and the Triple talaq judgement of the Supreme Court signalled precedence of women‘s rights over religious practices, thereby establishing the secular credentials of our society.
    3. Decriminalisation of adultery and Navtej Singh Johar judgement on Section 377 are also indications that Indian society is now more open and accepting of ideas which may contradict their religious beliefs.

    4. Secularism in Public sphere

    1. Inter-caste and inter-religious marriages are on the rise, reflecting the vanishing religious barriers separating the communities within Indian society. More and more couples are preferring marriage under the Special Marriage Act.
    2. Globalisation and modernisation affecting the food habits and cultural practices of Indian society. A society which was predominantly vegetarian due to religion is now accepting all kinds of food habits.
    3. Similarly, pariah or ghunghat is losing its religious importance. It is becoming one’s choice to live the way they want to live rather than being dictated by religion.
    4. Changing the pattern of the economy, people are choosing occupations irrespective of religion. Individuals belonging to any religion or caste are now free to do any business with any partner irrespective of religious identities.
    5. Festivals become more a social affair than religious. Now people celebrate Holi, Diwali etc., not so much for their religious significance, as for their entertainment value.

    Indian Society Is Yet To Be Secularised

    It has been seen that secularisation in India has largely restricted to the public institutions and has not permeated to the society at large.

    1. People in our society prefer to vote on caste and religious lines rather than development and employment agendas. General elections at centre and state from the last few years have become the source and destination of communal violence in India.
    2. Easy Inter-caste and inter-religious marriages are still a distant dream. Honour Killing and intolerance on the religious lines are frequent events in Indian society.
    3. The mark of a secularized society is having common civil laws equally applicable to all citizens irrespective of any differentiating markers. However, in the absence of uniform civil code as mandated by article 44, today personal laws of various communities are governed by their religious scriptures.
    4. People are searching religious angles in heinous crimes well; for example, if a rapist belongs to a particular religion then the whole community of that religion is being targeted for his crime.
    5. Untouchability which has the religious sanction of Hindu texts is still prevalent in the society. Though occupational segregation based on caste is diminishing, even today jobs in the leather industry, burning of dead bodies, carcass clearing of dead animals, manual scavenging is done by people who belong to untouchable sections of Hindu society.
    6. A 2015 study on patterns on untouchability in India found that 27 per cent of India still practises untouchability, with 30 per cent households in rural and 20 per cent in urban areas despite article 17 and Protection of Civil rights Act, 1955.
    7. Mob-lynchings are no longer considered as “crimes” if they are being done to “protect” the religion.
    8. Electronic media/ news channels are running hate propaganda 24 by 7 to earn high TRP, but their irresponsible journalism is affecting the secular social fabric of India.

    Secularizing a society is deeply tied to the question of the kind of society that we want. If we want a secular society then that involves a change of mindset, we would have to cease to think of ourselves as identified primarily by religion, caste, or language, and start thinking of ourselves primarily as equal citizens of one nation, both in theory and in practice. This involves mutual obligations between the state and the citizen applicable to all. The relationship of other identities such as religion, caste, language and region, will inevitably become secondary. This is a change Indian society is experiencing in certain aspects. However religion and caste in India are more than primary identities, they are a way of life which dictate our life both in the public and private sphere. Thus true secularization of society will happen only with a change in the mindset of people.

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