Secularism

• (a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another: Compatible. This is the core principle of secularism (inter-religious equality).
• (b) Recognition of a state religion: Incompatible. A secular state must not identify with any religion.
• (c) Equal state support to all religions: Compatible (in the Indian context). Indian secularism implies equal respect and support (e.g., subsidies for pilgrimages of different faiths), unlike the strict separation in the West.
• (d) Mandatory prayers in schools: Incompatible. In government schools, this violates the freedom of conscience.
• (e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community: Compatible. This protects minority culture (Article 30 of Indian Constitution).
• (f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government: Compatible (in India). The state intervenes to ensure secular administration (funds/management) of religious institutions, though this is debated.
• (g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples: Compatible. Secularism in India allows the state to intervene in religion to fight social evils and ensure equality (social reform).

Secularism: It is a normative doctrine that seeks to realize a secular society, free from inter-religious and intra-religious domination. It implies that the State has no official religion and treats all religions equally.

Relation to Tolerance: Secularism cannot be merely equated with religious tolerance.

• Tolerance might mean putting up with someone you dislike (e.g., “I tolerate your views”).
• Secularism goes further; it is about institutional equality and state neutrality. Tolerance is a personal virtue; secularism is a political principle.

Western Secularism	Indian Secularism
Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs.	State supported religious reforms allowed.
Individual and his rights at the centre.	Rights of both individual and religious community protected.
Less attention to community based rights.	Attention to minority rights.
Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. (Note: While both care about this, Indian secularism specifically emphasizes inter-religious equality more proactively).	Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised (Intra-religious equality).

• (a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
  Disagree. Secularism restricts the State from having a religious identity, not the individual. Citizens are free to practice and profess their faith openly.
• (b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
  Agree. This is the double purpose of secularism: preventing domination of one group over another (Inter-religious) and preventing oppression within a group (Intra-religious, e.g., Dalit entry in temples).
• (c) Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
  Disagree. While the term is Western, the concept of “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” (equal respect for all religions) is deeply rooted in Indian tradition. Indian secularism evolved differently to suit India’s diversity, focusing on principled distance rather than strict separation. It is highly suitable and necessary to keep a diverse nation united.

Indian secularism is broader than the Western model because it focuses on “Principled Distance.”
Instead of just separating church and state, it engages with religion to:

• Protect Minorities: It grants specific cultural and educational rights to minorities.
• Reform Society: It allows the state to ban social evils sanctioned by religion (like untouchability, child marriage, or Triple Talaq).
• Promote Equality: It ensures that religious institutions do not discriminate against women or lower castes.

Thus, it is not a passive “wall of separation” but an active pursuit of justice and equality.