‘Secularism Is Also To Protect Hindus From Their Own Orthodoxies’

Relevance: GS1 - Secularism; GS2 - Indian Constitution; Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme with that of other countries.

(Source: The Hindu, 09/28/2023)

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Why in the news?

• Rajeev Bhargava, a prominent political theorist and the author of "Reimagining Indian Secularism" (published in 2023), has critically examined both the merits and shortcomings of India's unique form of secularism.
• It was argued that secularism should not be seen as a project only for minorities.

India’s Unique Form of Secularism

• India's constitutional secularism is distinct from other models found in countries like in the U.S. there is mutual exclusion and in France, a one-sided exclusion.
• In India, exclusion of religion from the state is not feasible due to the country's religious diversity. Instead, the state maintains a "principled distance" from religion, intervening as necessary to ensure equality, freedom, and fraternity.
• European secularism began against religious homogeneity and now faces diversity, while Indian secularism was born in response to India's own remarkable diversity.

What is Secularism?

• Secularism means separation of religion from political, economic, social and cultural aspects of life, religion being treated as a purely personal matter.
• It entails the idea that religious institutions and beliefs should not have a direct role in the affairs of the state, and conversely, the government should not favor or endorse any particular religion.
• Instead, secularism promotes the idea that public institutions and policies should be neutral and impartial with regard to religious matters.
• The Vedic idea of 'Dharma Nirapekshata,' or the state's indifference to religion, is similar to secularism, and its ideology advocates for the separation of state and religion.

Challenges to Indian Secularism

• Hindu nationalism: The challenges faced by Indian secularism, is particularly due to the growth of Hindu nationalism. Some Hindu nationalists seek preferential treatment for Hindus, which contradicts the principles of equality and impartiality. As Hindu nationalism gained ground, the original concept of secularism in India began to transform.
• Misinterpretation: Indian secularists sometimes misinterpret secularism, believing that religion should remain solely in the private domain. Yet, given India's public religious expressions like Muharram and Kumbh Mela, a more practical secular approach is to separate official public spaces from religious practices.
• Brahmanical orthodoxy: Uttar Pradesh (U.P.) and its surrounding regions have significantly shaped the national narrative and response to secularism in a diverse India. The dominance of Brahmanical orthodoxy and the persistence of the caste system in this area have posed ongoing challenges to secularism.
  • While movements against these orthodoxies began in southern India in the 20th century, similar shifts in the northern states, including U.P., have taken nearly a century to materialize, and even then, they have faced resistance.
  • U.P. 's influence on the national narrative is evident in key inflection points, such as Indira Gandhi's use of the Hindu card in the 1980s and issues like Shah Bano and Babri Masjid, which became national concerns.

Provisions Related to Secularism in Indian Constitution

Reimagining Indian Secularism: A Holistic Approach

• Acknowledging the gap: To reimagine Indian secularism effectively, it is crucial to bridge the gap between inter-religious and intra-religious dynamics. Focusing solely on defending minority rights can inadvertently lead to the perception that secularism primarily benefits minorities, which may alienate Hindus.
• Intra-religious challenges: In Indian secularism, it's important to tackle domination within religions, just like European secularism aimed to protect people from controlling social groups and church interference in the state. Caste system in India limits people's freedom and allows one caste to control others. To create a fair and equal society, we need to put an end to this caste-based system.
• Collaboration for a reimagined secularism: For a reimagined secularism, those fighting against inter-religious and intra-religious domination should collaborate.
• Expanding the scope of secularism: Reducing secularism to only defending the rights of minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians, can lead to the misconception that it does not apply to Hindus or even works against them.
  • In reality, secularism also serves to shield Hindus from their own extremists, fanatics, caste divisions, and orthodoxies.
  • A reimagined and inclusive secularism should encompass efforts to address caste and gender-based domination, fostering a more equitable and just society.

Difference between Western Secularism and Indian Secularism

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FAQs

MCQ

Question: The words "Secular" was added to the Preamble of the Constitution of India by:

(a) 38th amendment

(b) 39th amendment

(c) 40th amendment

(d) 42nd amendment