Secularism: Safeguarding Freedom of Thought and Expression”

29 Oct Secularism: Safeguarding Freedom of Thought and Expression”

SYLLABUS MAPPING:

GS-2-Polity-Secularism-Safeguarding Freedom of Thought and Expression”

FOR PRELIMS:

What is the primary principle of secularism?

FOR MAINS:

Explain the relationship between secularism and religious freedom. How can a secular state protect the rights of religious minorities?

Why in the news?

The Supreme Court on Monday said secularism is an indelible and core partof the Basic Structure of the Constitution. The court made the oral observation while hearing a batch of petitions led by former Rajya Sabha member Subramanian Swamy and others challenging the inclusion of the words “socialist” and “secular” in the Preamble of the Constitution.

What is Secularism?

Secularism is the principle of separating religion from political, social, and educational institutions. It advocates for a society where government and religious institutions operate independently, ensuring that public policies are based on reason, science, and universal human rights rather than religious beliefs.
Constitutional Provisions:
1. Preamble:
The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India as a “Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic.” This emphasizes the commitment to secularism as a core value of the state, ensuring freedom of religion and the separation of religion from government affairs.
2. Fundamental Rights (FR):
Article 25: Guarantees the right to freedom of religion, allowing individuals to practice, profess, and propagate their religion.
Article 26: Provides the right to manage religious affairs, including the establishment of institutions for religious purposes.
Article 27: Prohibits the government from compelling any citizen to pay taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any religion.
Article 28: Ensures that educational institutions maintained by the state cannot compel students to participate in religious instruction.
3. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
Article 44: Advocates for a uniform civil code for all citizens, promoting equality irrespective of religion.
Article 46: Directs the state to promote the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections, which includes protecting their rights against social injustice, including religious discrimination.
4. Fundamental Duties (FD):
Article 51A: Highlights the duty of every citizen to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood among all people, transcending religious, linguistic, and regional diversities.

Uniqueness of Indian Secularism:

1. Equality of All Religions: Indian secularism acknowledges the equal status of all religions rather than promoting a strict separation of religion and state. This recognition fosters an environment where multiple faiths coexist, allowing for a more inclusive approach to governance.
2. State Intervention for Promoting Rights: Unlike some Western models where the state remains neutral, the Indian state may intervene in religious matters to promote fundamental rights and social justice. For instance, laws can be enacted to protect vulnerable groups within various religious communities, ensuring that practices do not infringe on individual rights.
3. Coexistence Since Time Immemorial: India’s history is marked by a long tradition of religious coexistence. Various faiths have interacted, adapted, and influenced each other over centuries, leading to a unique syncretism. This historical backdrop informs the contemporary understanding of secularism in India.
4. Fraternity and Brotherhood: The Indian Constitution emphasizes fraternity and brotherhood among citizens. This principle reinforces secularism by promoting unity and harmony across diverse religious communities, fostering a sense of belonging and mutual respect.
5. Protecting Essential Practices: Indian secularism protects the essential practices of different religions, acknowledging their significance while ensuring that they do not violate fundamental rights. This nuanced approach allows for the preservation of cultural and religious identities within a secular framework.
6. Cooperation with Religious Institutions: The Indian state often collaborates with religious institutions for social welfare initiatives and community development. This cooperative stance aims to harness the positive influence of religion in addressing societal issues while maintaining a secular ethos.
7. Harmonious Constitution: The Indian Constitution embodies a harmonious approach to secularism, integrating values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. This holistic framework allows for a more contextual and pragmatic understanding of secularism that aligns with India’s diverse social fabric.

Challenges to Indian Secularism:

1. Religious Fundamentalism: The rise of religious fundamentalism poses a significant threat to secularism. Extremist views can lead to intolerance, communal violence, and discrimination against minority communities.
2. Political Polarization: Political parties sometimes exploit religious sentiments for electoral gains, leading to divisions among communities. This politicization of religion undermines the secular framework and can incite communal tensions.
3. Caste Discrimination: Caste-based identities and discrimination can overshadow religious pluralism, complicating the secular landscape. This entrenched social hierarchy can lead to exclusion and inequality within and across religious groups.
4. Legal and Social Inequality: Certain personal laws based on religion can perpetuate inequality, especially concerning women’s rights. The lack of a uniform civil code is often cited as a challenge to true secularism in India.
5. Communal Violence: Instances of communal riots and violence disrupt social harmony and challenge the ideals of secularism. These events often stem from historical grievances, economic disparities, and political manipulation.
6. Religious Political Parties: The emergence of political parties that openly advocate for specific religious ideologies can blur the lines of secular governance. This can lead to policies that favor one religion over others.
7. Social Media and Misinformation: The spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media can exacerbate religious tensions, fostering a climate of distrust and animosity among communities.
8. Educational Bias: Curricula that reflect religious biases can influence young minds, promoting sectarian views rather than fostering an inclusive, secular outlook.
9. Cultural Nationalism: A growing trend of cultural nationalism may prioritize one religious identity over others, undermining the inclusive nature of Indian secularism and alienating minority communities.
10. Economic Disparities: Economic inequalities often correlate with religious identities, leading to marginalization of certain communities. This can create resentment and further complicate the secular fabric.

Way forward:

1. Promoting Education and Awareness:
Curriculum Reforms: Integrate secular and pluralistic values into the education system to foster critical thinking and respect for diversity.
Awareness Campaigns: Launch initiatives to educate citizens about secularism, human rights, and the importance of coexistence.
2. Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
Uniform Civil Code: Consider implementing a uniform civil code to ensure equal rights for all citizens, regardless of religion.
Revising Personal Laws: Review and amend personal laws to eliminate gender discrimination and ensure they align with constitutional principles.
3. Encouraging Interfaith Dialogue:
Community Engagement: Promote interfaith dialogues and community programs to build understanding and solidarity among different religious groups.
Conflict Resolution Mechanisms: Establish forums for dialogue during times of tension to address grievances and prevent escalation.
4. Political Accountability:
Responsible Political Discourse: Encourage political parties to adopt responsible rhetoric that promotes unity rather than division.
Electoral Reforms: Implement reforms to reduce the influence of religion in politics, such as stricter regulations on campaign funding and religious endorsements.
5. Combatting Misinformation:
Media Literacy Programs: Develop initiatives to enhance media literacy, helping citizens critically assess information and combat misinformation.
Regulating Hate Speech: Enforce laws against hate speech and incitement to violence, ensuring accountability for those who spread communal hatred.
6. Promoting Social Justice:
Economic Development Initiatives: Target economic programs to uplift marginalized communities, reducing economic disparities along religious lines.
Inclusive Policies: Design policies that promote social equity, focusing on education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for all.
7. Strengthening Civil Society:
Empowering NGOs: Support civil society organizations that work towards promoting secularism, human rights, and social harmony.
Grassroots Movements: Encourage grassroots movements that advocate for secular values and community cohesion.
8. Cultural Initiatives:
Cultural Exchange Programs: Promote cultural events that celebrate diversity and encourage interactions among different communities.
Art and Literature: Use art and literature as tools to promote messages of peace, tolerance, and secularism.
9. Engaging Youth:
Youth Programs: Develop programs to engage young people in discussions about secularism, diversity, and civic responsibility.
Volunteer Opportunities: Create opportunities for youth to participate in community service and interfaith initiatives.

Conclusion:

Prelims Question:

Q. Consider the following constitutional provisions:

1. Fundamental Rights
2. Fundamental Duties
3. Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP)
4. Preamble
How many of the given provisions are related to secularism in India?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four

Answer: D