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Secularism can be defined as a social order where religion is neither actively promoted nor criticized. The western concept of secularism is based on the idea of mutual exclusion i.e both religion and state must stay away from each other. The Indian concept of secularism is different as we follow thRead more
Secularism can be defined as a social order where religion is neither actively promoted nor criticized. The western concept of secularism is based on the idea of mutual exclusion i.e both religion and state must stay away from each other. The Indian concept of secularism is different as we follow the idea of Principled Distance i.e there is no strict boundary between state and religion and they are not divided into water tight compartments as they share porous borders boundaries.
Originally the Indian constitution did not mention the word Secularism. It was added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 but it does not mean that The Indian constitution was not secular on 26th November 1949 when the constitution was adopted. Through various articles Indian constitution has ascertained that India is a secular nation.
Indian secularism is based on the following ideologies:
Nehruvian – State should not have any religion and state should not discriminate anyone on the basis of religion. Article 15 and 27.
Gandhian – “Sarv Dharm Sambhav” i.e. all religions coexist. Religions should be treated equally and rights to practice ones religion. Article 25 and 14.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar – Minorities right to religion. Article 29, 30 and 17.
Fundamental rights:
Article 14: Equality before law (irrespective of religion)
Article 15: State shall not discriminate on the basis of religion.
Article 25 – 28: Ensure freedom of religion to all.
Secularism forms the basics structures of the constitution. The Indian Union is not completely identified with a particular religion also it is not adverse to the use of religious symbols. Every citizen is equally entitled to the freedom of conscious and right to religion to freely profess, practice and propagate the religion of their own choice. Thus it would be correct to say that Indian constitution was secular even on 26 November 1949 before the word secularism was added in the Indian constitution by the 42nd constitutional amendment of 1976.
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The comment that India imitated or borrowed its Constitution from other countries lacks the insight to identify the thoughtfulness and meticulousness that went into the drafting of that Constitution. The Indian Constitution does have selective salient features borrowed from other constitutions, butRead more
The comment that India imitated or borrowed its Constitution from other countries lacks the insight to identify the thoughtfulness and meticulousness that went into the drafting of that Constitution. The Indian Constitution does have selective salient features borrowed from other constitutions, but that was done with great pondering and contemplation, as these features could be further adapted easily into the Indian social and political milieu and domain.
1. Varied Sources of Inspiration: The Indian Constitution has been influenced by several sources including the British, American, Irish, Canadian, Australian, etc. For example, the concept of Fundamental Rights has obtained directly and indirectly from the U.S. Bill of Rights whereas the parliamentary system of government is a carbon copy of that of Britain.
2. Tailored to Indian Needs: Those borrowed features were not merely the copy words; rather, those were to be altered in the light of Indian needs. The makers of the Constitution under the Chairmanship of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar very cautiously deliberated and then made amendments in them to be relevant to India’s peculiar problems and aspirations.
3. Comprehensive and Original Framework: It is a broad document and contains the uniquity in the sense that, under the Constitution, provision for social justice, federalism, and the detailed Fundamental Duties list is relatively unique to India and nowhere else.
4. Innovative Provisions: It includes innovative provisions such as the Directive Principles of State Policy, which provide guidelines for the government to lay down the laws regarding the social and economic welfare of the people.
However, the Indian Constitution ventured only to draw from the earlier precedents. It was an original document, carved dethe only way possible to deal with the multiple and complicated needs of the country.
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