SECULAR’ It is not just the word; it is a wide concept and to understand this, we have few definitions about secularism-
According to the Cambridge dictionary, ‘SECULARISM is the belief that religion should not involve with the ordinary social and political activities of the country.’
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And how I understand secularism from all the definitions:
A secular country is a country that has-
- No religion of its own.
- Every citizen is free to preach, practice and propagate any religion.
- No interference by religion in state affairs and vice-versa.
In 42nd amendment of the constitution of India,1976. The preamble incorporates the word ‘secular’. So, India becomes a secular country after that.
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But in S.R. Bomnai vs Union of India, we get to know that India is secular since Independence.
So first, we understand how secularism is supporting INDIA
It begins with the formation of a republic, where PT. Jawaharlal Nehru, our first prime minister, and B.R. Ambedkar, chairman of the drafting committee of the constitution of India, are the fathers of our Indian constitution because they know the importance of the secular country.
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According to me, these are the pros of a secular country like India-
- Citizens are given fundamental rights to religion.
- No dominance of any religion.
- People of any religion are the same under the law.
- The state stays neutral on religious matters.
- The state can interfere in religious matter only when to abolish the evil practices- triple talaq, Sati Pratha, animal slaughter, untouchability, etc.
According to me, these are the cons of a secular country like India-
- There will never be a complete separation of religion and state.
- Political dominance on religion, political parties promote one religion that gives rise to communalism.
- Different religion has their own law. For example, The Muslim personal law, 1937.
- Administration of temples under the state, that gives minority religions fear of existence.
- No steps are taken into the progress of uniform civil code.
These are the steps we can take to improve the concept of secularism in India-
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- The state should maintain equidistant from all religions.
- The rise of religious-nationalist in recent years will threaten the minority’s religion.
- Stop force conversion to any religion in the state.
- No promotion of any religion through any political parties.
- Temples and any other religious place should be free from the assistance of the state.
To sum up, my answer yes, secularism is destroying India, but we take these few steps we can preserve secularism in a better way that will make multi-religion India.
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