Name: Secularism in India
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 6 min 21 s
Description: Learn about the concept of secularism, its importance in a diverse society, and how it promotes equality and harmony among different religious groups.

Question

What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?

Accepted Answer

Secularism in general could be explained as giving equal respect for all religions. But in complex societies like India, Secularism is the most important policy that resists both inter-religious domination and intra-religious domination. Such secular state does not treat every aspect of every religion equally.

It also ensures freedom and equality within and between the religion.

Secularism can not be equated with religious tolerance. Religious tolerance is a small component of secularism. Secularism is much more than religious tolerance.

If we try to equate both of them then it will be difficult for us to resist inter and intra- religious domination. The sects with majority could easily take the upper hand in society. Hence, religious tolerance is not the rights but a mutual sympathy.

Indian secularism applies a principled state intervention in all religion. Hence, it is not treating every aspect of every religion with equal respect.

What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?

Important Questions on Secularism

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