SECULARISM

SECULARISM

Introduction	Secularism as Child of modernity
contested concept european in origin based on experience of 30 years war child of christianity product of modernity reform in christianity: protestant movement rolling back of religion from public sphere constraining it to personal sphere rolling back of religion from public sphere is called as "Secularisation" TN Madan : securlarisation is pre-requisite for the success of secularism hence politics and state in south asia may not remain secular	new basis for solidarity was required, hence nationalism and nations emerged hence in European countries: 'Secular Nationalism' became the basis rise to two practices universal citizenship: citizenship not on basis of religion Uniform Civil Code democracy, rights, liberty, equality, justice, human dignity are overlapping concept with secularism emerged in the ideas of Machiavelli who separated state from church Hobbes: church subordinate to state John Locke: advocated for principle of toleration, religious freedom art 27: policy of equi-distance state won't interfere between individual and religion religion won't matter when dealing between state and individual negative secularism; state not allowed in religion
Types of secularism	Uniqueness of Indian Model
Negative secularism: state is absent Positive secularism: policy of equidistance Indian model DE Smith - book: India- A secular State, 1962 india has few features of secular state essential features of secular state freedom of religion enjoyed by citizens universal citizenship and right to equality separation between religion and state third feature is missing in india, hence secularism may not survive 80% are hindus, hence minorities have to be proactive to ensure indian state remains secular minorities are custodian of indian secularism Marc Galanter : analysis of indian model has to be based on understanding of uniqueness of indian  model	Prof. Rajeev Bhargav: indian model is politically  negotiated  model result of political bargaining and historical circumstances congress response to demand of muslim league ML justified formation of pakistan on the basis that hindus will dominate minority and minorities will be forced to live under hindu customs and traditions hence congress assured  protection to minorities in india ideas of Pt. Nehru, Gandhi and Ambedkar have shaped indian model nehru believed in religious neutrality: art 15 gandhi: communal harmony no separation between religion and politics. religion means ethics emphasised on sarvadharm sambhav: art 25 need to promote spirit of toleration Ambedkar: secularism is based on democracy one man=one value hence constitutional guarantees to minorities: art 29,30 indian model is 'principled Distance Model' no strict separation between state and religion different level of interference in different religions. eg- can reform hindu religion art 25 (2), whereas no rule for interference in muslim or christian  seven features of indian model state is not identified by particular religion but state not against public character of religion. eg- puja during opening of bridge no strict boundaries, rather porous boundaries no active indifference/hostility three basic model of secularism strict neutrality: france ultra procedural: USA. federal or state govt can't declare any religion official substantive model: based on values of democracy, liberty, fraternity, equality (indian) context specific, politically negotiated not based on any over arching idea, it is opportunistic state symbols have buddhism privilege Criticism of indian model Advani : calls Congress model as pseudo secular. based on minority appeasement Arun Shourie : there should not be rights based on religion hindu rightist also believe that failure to bring UCC and special rights to minority prevent their integration Pratap Bhanu Mehta: principled distance model is asymmetrical rational only in theory legitimises vote bank politics with distinctive name it is casting secularism to hide communalism leads all communities insecure all the time Romilla Thapar: (marxist) present model is weak model, fails to counter communalism hence bold model is needed Prof Ashish Nandi eo-gandhian secularism is mindless import from west 'anti-secularist manifesto' there should be active dialogue between religion educational institutions should promote religious education, people should come to know what is there in the religion Achin Vanayak , Akil Pilgrami:  nandi's vision is nostalgic will contribute to more communalism lack of consensus on what model should be followed Prof. Rajeev Bhargav: indian secularism continues to be misunderstood

Views 

1. Smt. Indira Gandhi: secularism and democracy are twin pillars of our state, the very foundation of our society
2. R. Jagannathan- temples from govt control should be freed
3. Rajeev Bhargav: in spiritual exercises, there was no reason for the govt to interfere
1. religion should leave the state alone.