What is Secularism?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
The word 'Secular' was added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
- 2.
Article 14: Equality before law and equal protection of laws.
- 3.
Article 15: Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
- 4.
Article 16: Equality of opportunity in matters of public employment.
- 5.
Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion.
- 6.
Article 26: Freedom to manage religious affairs.
- 7.
Article 27: Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.
- 8.
Article 28: Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.
- 9.
Article 29 and Article 30: Cultural and educational rights of minorities.
- 10.
The Supreme Court in the S.R. Bommai case (1994) declared secularism as a part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution.
Visual Insights
Indian vs. Western Secularism
This table compares the key features of Indian and Western models of secularism.
| Feature | Indian Secularism | Western Secularism |
|---|---|---|
| Separation of Religion and State | Principled Distance: State can intervene in religious matters to promote social justice. | Strict Separation: Clear demarcation between state and religion. |
| Approach to Religious Diversity | Sarva Dharma Sambhava: Equal respect for all religions. | Neutrality: State remains neutral and does not favor any religion. |
| State Funding of Religious Institutions | Permitted in a non-discriminatory manner. | Generally prohibited. |
| Personal Laws | Allows for religious personal laws, leading to debates about a Uniform Civil Code. | Uniform laws applicable to all citizens, regardless of religion. |
Recent Developments
5 developmentsOngoing debates surrounding the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which aims to replace personal laws based on religion with a common set of laws.
Discussions on the state's intervention in religious institutions and practices (e.g., temple management, triple talaq).
Challenges to the concept of 'positive secularism' versus 'negative secularism' in public discourse.
Concerns about religious polarization and its impact on social harmony.
Judicial pronouncements continue to shape the interpretation of religious freedom and state neutrality.
This Concept in News
10 topicsMaharashtra Drafts Anti-Conversion Law Amidst 'Love Jihad' Concerns
27 Feb 2026The news of Maharashtra drafting an anti-conversion law highlights the ongoing debate about the scope and limits of religious freedom in India. It demonstrates how the concept of secularism is often contested and interpreted differently by various stakeholders, including the government, religious groups, and civil society. This news event applies pressure on the practical application of secularism, particularly in balancing individual rights with concerns about social order and national unity. It reveals the potential for anti-conversion laws to be used as tools to target religious minorities and restrict their freedom of religion. The implications of this news for the future of secularism in India are significant, as it could lead to further erosion of religious freedom and increased polarization of communities. Understanding the concept of secularism is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the constitutionality and ethical implications of anti-conversion laws and their impact on religious minorities.
Rajasthan: Ex-BJP MP's Act Sparks Controversy, Blankets Taken Back
24 Feb 2026This incident underscores the fragility of secularism in practice. While the Constitution guarantees equality and non-discrimination, the actions of the BJP leader demonstrate how easily these principles can be undermined by prejudice and political opportunism. The incident highlights the ongoing tension between constitutional ideals and the reality of social and political behavior. It raises questions about the extent to which secular values are truly internalized and practiced by individuals and institutions in positions of power. This news reveals that despite legal safeguards, secularism remains vulnerable to manipulation and selective application. The implications of such incidents are significant, as they can erode public trust in the state's commitment to equality and fuel social divisions. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for evaluating whether the leader's actions align with constitutional principles and ethical standards. It allows us to critically assess the incident's impact on the broader social fabric and to advocate for accountability and corrective measures.
Kerala political fronts unite against 'The Kerala Story 2' film
20 Feb 2026The news highlights the challenges to secularism in India. It demonstrates how films and narratives can be used to promote divisive agendas, potentially undermining religious harmony. The accusation that the film promotes a Hindu majoritarian agenda and demonizes Muslims directly challenges the principle of state neutrality. This event applies the concept of secularism in practice by testing the limits of freedom of expression versus the need to prevent hate speech and maintain public order. The news reveals the ongoing struggle to balance religious freedom with the need to protect vulnerable communities from discrimination. The implications of this news for secularism's future include the need for greater vigilance against misinformation and the importance of promoting interfaith dialogue. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for evaluating whether the film and the reactions to it uphold or undermine the constitutional principles of equality and religious freedom. It's important to understand that secularism doesn't mean suppressing any viewpoint, but ensuring that no single viewpoint dominates public discourse or leads to discrimination.
Kerala political fronts unite against 'The Kerala Story 2' film
20 Feb 2026The news highlights the practical challenges of maintaining secularism in a diverse society. It demonstrates how films and other forms of media can be used to promote biased narratives that threaten religious harmony. The political opposition to the film shows a commitment to upholding secular values, but also reveals the complexities of balancing freedom of expression with the need to prevent hate speech. This news underscores the importance of critical thinking and media literacy in evaluating information and resisting divisive ideologies. It also reveals the ongoing debate about the role of the state in regulating content that may incite religious hatred. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the film's potential impact on religious relations and the appropriate response from political leaders and civil society. The news reveals that secularism is not merely a legal principle but a dynamic and contested concept that requires constant vigilance and active defense.
Congress Accuses Culture Ministry of Funding Event Promoting Hate Speech
19 Feb 2026This news topic directly relates to the concept of secularism by highlighting the potential for state actions to violate the principle of religious neutrality. The alleged funding of an event promoting hate speech against a specific religious community demonstrates how government actions can be perceived as endorsing or favoring certain religious viewpoints over others. This challenges the core tenet of secularism, which requires the state to treat all religions equally and avoid promoting any particular religion. The news reveals the complexities of applying secularism in practice, particularly when dealing with issues of free speech, religious expression, and government funding. It raises questions about the limits of state intervention in religious matters and the responsibility of the government to ensure that its actions do not contribute to religious discrimination or intolerance. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for evaluating the government's actions and assessing their impact on religious freedom and equality. It also helps to identify potential violations of constitutional principles and advocate for policies that promote a more inclusive and equitable society. The implications of this news for the future of secularism are significant, as it underscores the need for greater vigilance and accountability in government actions related to religion.
Bangladesh PM Pledges Safe Haven for All Faiths
19 Feb 2026The news underscores the practical application of secularism in a nation-state. (1) It highlights the aspect of state responsibility in ensuring religious freedom and protecting minority rights. (2) The news event applies the concept of secularism by showcasing a government actively working to create an inclusive environment. It challenges the notion that secularism is merely a passive acceptance of different religions; instead, it requires active promotion of tolerance. (3) This news reveals that secularism is not just a constitutional principle but also a political and social project requiring continuous effort. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that it reinforces the importance of secular governance in diverse societies and serves as an example for other nations. (5) Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it allows us to assess the government's actions in light of its constitutional obligations and the broader goals of social harmony and equality. Without this understanding, the news might be misinterpreted as mere political rhetoric.
Supreme Court dismisses pleas against Himanta Sarma's alleged hate speech
17 Feb 2026This news highlights the practical challenges of maintaining secularism in a diverse society. It demonstrates how political speech can potentially conflict with secular principles. The Supreme Court's decision to direct the petitioners to the High Court underscores the importance of due process and judicial review in safeguarding secularism. The news reveals the ongoing debate about the limits of free speech when it comes to religious sentiments. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for evaluating whether the alleged speeches violated constitutional principles. It also helps in understanding the role of the judiciary in balancing freedom of speech with the need to protect religious harmony. The implications of this news for the future of secularism involve ensuring that political discourse remains respectful of all religions and that hate speech is effectively addressed through legal means.
Kerala Aims for New Global Models, Says Chief Minister
16 Feb 2026The news from Kerala underscores the ongoing relevance of secularism in India. (1) It highlights the aspect of secularism as a foundation for building an inclusive and just society. (2) The news applies the concept of secularism in practice by showcasing a state government's commitment to ensuring equal opportunities and social justice for all its citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs. (3) The news reveals the importance of constantly renewing and strengthening secular principles to meet the evolving needs of society. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that secularism must remain a guiding principle for governance and policymaking to ensure social harmony and progress. (5) Understanding secularism is crucial for properly analyzing and answering questions about this news because it provides the framework for evaluating the state government's policies and initiatives in terms of their impact on religious freedom, equality, and social justice.
CPI(M) Open to Congress Cooperation Based on Secular Values
14 Feb 2026This news highlights the practical application of secularism in the political arena. It demonstrates how secularism can serve as a basis for cooperation between political parties with different ideologies. The news event applies the concept of secularism by requiring parties to prioritize secular values when forming alliances. This reveals that secularism is not just a constitutional principle but also a political strategy. The implications of this news are that secularism can be a unifying force in Indian politics. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it helps to understand the motivations and strategies of the political parties involved. Without understanding secularism, it would be difficult to grasp the significance of the CPI(M)'s condition for cooperation with the Congress. It also showcases the challenge of maintaining secular values in a diverse political landscape.
Muslim Bodies Oppose Mandatory Vande Mataram Recitation Notification
13 Feb 2026This news highlights the tension between national identity and religious freedom, a key aspect of secularism. The opposition to mandatory Vande Mataram recitation demonstrates how the application of secular principles can be contested in practice. It challenges the notion of a uniform national identity that may not accommodate diverse religious beliefs. This news reveals the ongoing debate about the limits of state power in religious matters and the importance of protecting minority rights. The implications of this news are that the state must carefully balance the promotion of national symbols with the protection of religious freedom. Understanding secularism is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the framework for evaluating the legitimacy of the government's actions and the validity of the objections raised by Muslim organizations. Without a grasp of secularism, it's impossible to understand the underlying conflict and its potential consequences for Indian society.
