Secular India and the Nature of its so-called Secularism

By the Constitutional Declaration, secular India came into existence. The freedom of religion is protected by the Constitution, which also forbids discrimination based on religion. It also lays forth a framework for the separation of religion and state, in which citizens are free to practice the religion of their choosing, and the government is not expected to get involved in religious matters. Okay, everything is fine in the constitution, the state’s supreme law. But recently, we saw several incidents occur involving the goons of the current ruling party, the BJP. There are numerous allegations that these incidents were state-sponsored and instigated by the activists and leaders of the ruling party.

We can mention several incidents that were ill-motivated and per-planned like Muslims are allegedly attacked by the BJP-motivated goons for carrying beef meat, hijab banned in Karnataka, and dozens of such events. The state-sponsored Bollywood films like the Kashmir Files which are based on fiction and have no historical merit target the Muslims in Kashmir. They introduced laws like the National Register of Citizens, and the Citizenship Amendment Act which denied indiscriminately thousands of lower-class Hindu and Muslim citizens in Assam and in other areas. Such actions were widely criticized all over the world.

In this article, we’ll examine what secularism is, how it works, and how it now exists in India, the largest democracy in the world. This article will give a thorough review of the real situation of so-called secularism and its ways and means to obtain and maintain secularism in a meaningful sense, from its origins in the Enlightenment to its current scenario in India.

What is Secularism? How does it work?

The concept of secularism implies that the state is neutral in concerns of faith and does not support or promote any one religion. It is the separation of religion and state affairs. It assures that the state stays impartial in matters of faith, highlights the idea of individual freedom of opinion and expression, and relates to the idea of separating religion and state concerns. It is fundamental to contemporary democracies and crucial to building an inclusive, tolerant, and diverse society.

Based on the principle of individual freedom of thought and expression, secularism guarantees that everyone has the right to freely exercise their faith, so long as doing so does not violate the rights of others. In a secular state, regardless of a citizen’s religious preferences, laws are made democratically and are not based on any particular religious texts.

Because it embraces religious tolerance and variety, secularism has an inclusive aspect. It ensures that different religious communities can live side by side in harmony and that the state maintains its neutrality towards religious issues, preventing confrontations between them.

Religious institutions are similarly separated from the state by secularism, and they are not supported by tax dollars. This assists in ensuring that the state maintains its neutrality towards matters of faith by preventing religious institutions from influencing governmental policies. It guarantees that everyone has the freedom to practice their religion in accordance with their own beliefs and that the state will not take a position on questions of faith, upholding equality and freedom for everyone.

For instance, in a secular nation, all religions are permitted as long as they are peaceful and do not violate the rights of others. The government also does not impose any one religion on its population. A secular state also forbids the use of religious symbols or rites in public spaces like courts and schools.

Moreover, secularism makes sure that all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, are subject to the same laws because they are democratically produced and not based on any particular religious texts. This guarantees that there is no discrimination based on religion and that everyone is treated equally under the law.

Religious organizations are independent of the government and are not supported by tax dollars in a secular nation. As a result, confrontations between various religious groups are less likely to arise, and religious tolerance and variety are encouraged.

India is a Secular state, constitutionally

The Constitution also grants religious minorities specific privileges and safeguards, including the ability to form and sustain organizations with a charitable or religious focus. Additionally, it incorporates specific clauses that guarantee the rights of linguistic and religious minorities, including the freedom to create and run educational institutions of their choosing.

A number of clauses in the Indian Constitution ensure the nation’s secularism, including:

Article 14: This provision ensures everyone’s right to equality before the law and forbids discrimination on the basis of one’s place of birth, race, caste, or religion.

Article 15: Article 15 forbids discrimination on the basis of any of the following: race, caste, gender, place of birth, or religion.

Article 16: According to this provision, all applicants for public employees would be treated equally, regardless of their religion, caste, race, ancestry, place of birth, or place of residence.

Articles 25 through 28: These articles guarantee the freedom of conscience as well as the freedom to profess, practice, and spread religion.

Articles 29 and 30: These provisions safeguard the rights of linguistic and religious minorities, respectively.

Article 51A: This article encourages all Indian citizens to foster peace and a sense of fraternity among all Indians, regardless of their differences in religion, language, location, or section.

By defending the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religion, and by encouraging a spirit of harmony and universal brotherhood among all people, these articles of the Constitution collectively ensure India’s secular nature.

It’s important to keep in mind that the Constitution alone does not determine a nation’s secularism; other factors, such as the government’s actions and social norms, also play a role.

Why is India confronting questions about its secularism?

Even though India’s legal system is secular, there have nonetheless been instances of religious conflict and discrimination, especially against minorities. This demonstrates that, despite constitutional safeguards, it can be difficult to maintain a secular society.

This may be caused by a number of things, such as a lack of knowledge and understanding of many religions, the politicization of religious feelings, and ingrained preconceptions and biases. The lengthy history of communal violence in India has also fueled ongoing tensions between various religious groups.

According to several academics and groups, the Indian government or members of the ruling party may have provoked or failed to stop specific incidents of intercommunal violence.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government in Gujarat, for instance, was accused of failing to do enough to stop the violence during the 2002 riots and, in some cases, openly encouraging or tolerating attacks on Muslims. When Narendra Modi was Gujarat’s chief minister at the time, there were claims that his administration did not do enough to stop the violence and, in some cases, openly encouraged or condoned the attacks on Muslims, resulting in the deaths of an estimated 2,000–2,500 people, mostly Muslims. Although there have been several serious allegations against Modi, he has not been sentenced for his involvement in the riots.

In an article, the BBC reported that Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi deliberately allowed anti-Muslim riots in the state. “Sanjiv Bhatt was a senior police officer in the Gujarat intelligence bureau during the 2002 riots. In a sworn statement to the Supreme Court, he said that his position allowed him to come across large amounts of information and intelligence both before and during the violence, including the actions of senior administration officials. He also alleges that in a meeting on the night before the riots, Mr. Modi told officials that the Muslim community needed to be taught a lesson following an attack on a train carrying Hindu pilgrims.”

However, it’s worth noting that Modi has been cleared by the Indian Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) in 2012, and the verdict was upheld by the Gujarat High Court in 2013, stating that there was no evidence to prosecute Modi for his involvement in the riots.

The Delhi police, which is under the control of the central government, has also been accused of being complicit in the violence during the 2020 Delhi Riots by failing to intervene or, in some cases, actively assisting the Hindu mobs. This accusation has been made by numerous experts, human rights organizations, and opposition political parties.

Read Fundamental principles of state policy, characteristics, and its enforceability

It is crucial to keep in mind that these are only allegations and that the Indian government has refuted all claims of misconduct in these instances. The investigation and prosecution of acts of intergroup violence are frequently difficult and take years to complete.

The History of India’s So-called Secularism

Throughout history, there have been a number of significant instances of communal violence in India. Among the most notable are:

• Partition Riots of 1947: During the division of British India into India and Pakistan, there were a number of violent riots and mass murders. An estimated 1–2 million people are thought to have died as a result of the conflict, while 14 million people were displaced.
• Anti-Sikh Riots of 1984: In retaliation to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s murder by her Sikh bodyguards, there were a number of planned pogroms against Sikhs in India during this time. Approximate estimates place the death toll from the conflict at 8,000–17,000, most of them Sikhs.
• Gujarat Riots of 2002: These riots were a series of inter-ethnic clashes in the Indian state of Gujarat. An estimated 2,000–2,500 people—mostly Muslims—died as a result of the violence, and about 200,000 people were displaced.
• 2013’s Muzaffarnagar Riots: In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, there were a number of racial clashes between Muslims and Hindus. An estimated 62 individuals are believed to have died as a result of the violence, and about 50,000 people were displaced.
• The Delhi Riots of 2020: The Delhi Riots of 2020 was a series of communal clashes between Muslims and Hindus in the Indian city of Delhi. An estimated 53 individuals were killed and 13,000 people were displaced as a result of the conflict.

These are some of the most significant communal violence occurrences that have occurred in India, but it’s crucial to remember that several more, smaller-scale incidents have occurred around the nation at various points in time.

It’s also important to recognize that communal violence in India is a complicated problem with many root causes that frequently involve a number of actors, including political parties, religious groups, criminals, and regular people. Sometimes it’s unclear who started the violence and who is in charge of it.

What are the reasons behind such disgusting nature of secularism?

In India, communal violence is a complicated problem with numerous root causes. However, the following are some of the main causes of intergroup conflict:

• Political manipulation of religious sentiments: Politicians and political parties in India allegedly manipulate religious feelings to garner support and votes, according to some experts. This may increase tensions between various religious groups, which can then result in violence.
• Lack of knowledge and education about various religions: In a multicultural culture like India, a lack of knowledge and education about various religions can result in preconceptions and biases, which can ultimately cause conflicts between different communities and acts of violence.
• Socio-economic factors: Due to socioeconomic conditions like poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to basic services, some people may get frustrated and angry, which they may then direct at other religious communities.
• Historical Tensions: There have always been tensions between the various religious communities in India as a result of communal violence. Events like religious festivals, political statements, or even rumors might start these tensions.
• Instigation by extremist organizations: Religious extremist groups have been known to start acts of community violence in order to achieve their own political objectives.

It’s also crucial to remember that communal violence in India is a complicated problem with many root causes and frequently involves a number of actors, including political parties, religious groups, criminals, and regular people.

So, it is possible to say that India is a far-damaged image of a secular state. India left behind its practices of absolute secularism. Although the nation’s legal system is secular, there have been incidents of religious discrimination, and some government and social policies and behaviors can be regarded as favoring some religious groups over others.

It’s important to keep in mind that different nations and cultures may have different ideas about what secularism is, and they may also have different ideas about how to apply it. Every nation faces different difficulties and conditions, and how each one handles them should be taken into consideration.

What actions need to be done to attain secularism in the real sense?

It’s crucial to remember that preventing and ending communal violence is a difficult endeavor that calls for collaboration from the government, civil society organizations, local leaders, and the general public. To avoid and end sectarian violence in India, numerous actions can be taken:

• Promote education of and understanding of other religions: People can learn to accept and value the diversity of many societies by encouraging knowledge and learning about various religions, which can aid in lowering stereotypes and biases.
• Address socioeconomic issues: Reducing the frustration and rage of particular groups of people can assist to avert communal tensions and violence. Socioeconomic issues include poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to essential services.
• Stronger law enforcement: By protecting vulnerable communities and holding those responsible for the violence accountable, stronger law enforcement measures can help prevent and stop communal violence.
• Political leadership: Political leaders are essential in preventing and putting an end to intergroup conflict. Instead of utilizing social issues to rally support, they should endeavor to advance social harmony and unity.
• Interventions by community leaders and civil society organizations: Community leaders and civil society organizations can play a crucial role in avoiding and ending intercommunal violence by fostering communication and understanding between diverse communities and by trying to dispel rumors and false information.
• Media’s role: Media’s function Media should be responsible and refrain from disseminating hate speech and inaccurate information that could encourage violence because it has a significant influence on how the public feels.
• Justice and accountability: Justice and accountability are essential, and it is essential that those accountable for acts of racial or religious violence suffer legal repercussions. This can guarantee that justice is served and act as a deterrent to similar violent acts.

Mutual respect can play a vital role

In addition to the aforementioned actions, “mutual respect” is crucial in preventing and ending community violence. Respect across various communities for one another’s beliefs can help lessen preconceptions and biases and increase societal harmony.

A more tolerant and inclusive society might result from individuals who respect and appreciate the viewpoints, attitudes, and beliefs of others. Additionally, it enables people to resolve disagreements and tension without using violence.

One of the fundamental tenets of secularism, which is crucial to minimizing communal violence, is respect for variety. A more stable and peaceful society may result from the peaceful coexistence of many religious communities and respect for one another’s convictions.

Additionally, respecting one another’s rights can lessen the likelihood of violence. People are less likely to feel marginalized and to use violence when they believe that their rights are being respected.

In conclusion, respect for one another is essential to preventing and ending communal violence. It helps to build a more stable and peaceful society by fostering social harmony, tolerance, and understanding.

It’s crucial to recognize that religious prejudice and acts of communal violence are major problems that need to be denounced and addressed. All citizens’ rights, especially those of religious minorities, must be upheld and maintained, according to the law and society at large. It would be unacceptable and a violation of the constitutional principles of secularism if it were discovered that the government or any of its connected parties had participated in any sort of violence or discrimination.