CIVICS-2 UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM.docx

**L 2 UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM** **Answer the following.** 1. **What is secularism ?** 2. **Why is it important to separate religion from the state?** 3. **In what ways does the Indian State work to prevent domination of majority religious group?** - The Indian State is not ruled by a...

**L 2 UNDERSTANDING SECULARISM** **Answer the following.** 1. **What is secularism ?** 2. **Why is it important to separate religion from the state?** 3. **In what ways does the Indian State work to prevent domination of majority religious group?** - The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and it does not support any one religion. - In India Government wings/like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices cannot display or promote any one religion. - **Second-**\-- It prevent the domination through non-interference. This means that in order to respect the sentiments of all religions, the state makes certain exceptions for particular religious communities. - **Third\-\--** Through intervention when required. - Untouchability is a good example where members of the same religion ('upper caste' hindus) dominate other members (some 'lower castes').Indian Constitution bans Untouchability. **Q 4. When was law passed by French government banning religious symbols in school? What was its impact?** Ans. In February 2004, France passed a law banning students from wearing any conspicuous religious or political signs or symbols such as the Islamic headscarf, the Jewish skullcap, or large Christian crosses. This law has encountered a lot of resistance from immigrants who are mainly from the former French colonies of Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.   **Q5. What are the three objectives of a secular State?\ Or\ State the three objectives of a secular State.** Ans. The three objectives of a secular State are:                           i.        One religious community does not dominate another;                          ii.        Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community;                         iii.        State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.. **Q6. How does the Indian constitution ensure its objectives of secular state?** Ans. The Indian Constitution ensures its objectives of a secular state in the following manner:                          i.        One religious community does not dominate another;                         ii.        Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community;                        iii.        State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.