The opening words of the preamble to the Indian constitution says “we, the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic ———–.”

It is a well known fact that India is a secular nation.  Many of the Indian citizens think that India has become secular nation only after the word ‘Secular’ was included into the constitution of India.  The word secular was incorporated into the constitution in 1976.    A genuine question that comes to my mind is that, was not India a secular country before 1976?  Undoubtedly the answer is ‘it was’.  From time immemorial, India is secular in its fundamental character.  Great emperor of India, Ashoka, in many of his edicts emphasized about the freedom of all faiths in his empire.  India has a long history of secularism unlike western countries.

The preamble of Indian constitution describes our Republic inter alia as secular.  The concept of secularism in the constitution is not that of irreligion or anti religion.  It only means that there is no state religion, there is equal respect for and protection of all religions, no one is discriminated against on the grounds of religion and every one is guaranteed full and equal freedom of religion.  Indian constitution guarantees all citizens, irrespective of their religion, the right to freedom of religion in all its aspects.

What is secularism?

Western dictionaries define ‘secularism’ as pertaining to this world or to things not spiritual, ‘not concerned with religion’, ‘a system of belief which rejects all forms of religious faith and worship, irreligious …etc.  Secularism is the principle of the separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries.   In the west, secularism was a political movement towards the separation of religion and government (Church and state).

Unlike the west, in India secularism was never born out of the conflict between Church and the state.  It was perhaps rooted in India’s own past history and culture, a very likely response to her pluralism or the desire of the founding fathers to be just and fair to all communities irrespective of their numbers.

The original text of the preamble as adopted by the Constitutional Assembly did not contain the word ‘secularism’.  The word was added to the word ‘republic’ as an adjective by the forty-second Constitutional Amendment Act during the Emergency.  The word ‘socialist’ was also included later.   The meaning given to the word ‘secular’ is a reflection of Indian mind, thought and culture, ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhava’, – treating all religions alike whether majority or minority, Indian origin or foreign …, giving equal respect to all religions.

Secular nature of Indian governance was not the result of demand from minorities.  Leaders like Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel of post Independent India were great visionaries and considered the unity of all people of India greater than anything else for peaceful co-existence.

The foresight of leaders of post Independent India was that of a nation transcending all diversities or religion, cast and creed.  They envisaged a new social order free from communal conflicts. The constitution sought to establish a secular order under which the majority of the population did not enjoy any special privileges or preferential treatment at the hands of state and the ‘religious rights’ of the minorities are protected in deferent ways.

Article 25 guarantees all persons that all are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess practice and propagate religion.  It doesn’t mean that religion can do anything in the pretext of religious freedom.  The supreme court has held that the right to propagate religion doesn’t include any right to forcible conversion as these may disturb public order.  The right to religious freedom is subject to public order, morality and health.

Every person in India has the right to propagate and profess his/her religion and a person has the legal right to believe and say his/her religion is the best but no right to attack other religion’s faith and practices.  Everyone should keep in mind that conversion should not be under Pressure, Force, Allurement or Inducement.  But if a person does not have the right to convert himself to any religion of his own choice, then, what are the freedom and the rights we talk about.  If a few are permitted to do what they want & few are restricted where is the equality that we boast of.  Isn’t it an irony? 

An other question may arise in this context, why special rights to minorities and other weaker sections of India when all have equal rights? Minorities –  (religious, linguistic …etc.) and other weaker sections who want special protection for true democracy can achieve it if they can stand with powerful majority.  Few radical thinkers of our country compare things in India with fundamentalism in Egypt, Nigeria, Spain …etc.  India is different and unique. We have a great tradition of tolerance, harmonious co-existence of different communities for centuries and millennium.

Right of Minorities to Establish and Administrate Educational Institution

Article 30 of Indian constitution says that all minorities, whether religious or linguistic, shall have the right to establish and administrate educational institutions of their choice which includes the right to choose the medium of instruction, curricula, subject to be taught …etc.  Constitution gives all the special privileges to minorities to improve their social, cultural, educational, health condition.  We do not forget that in few occasions unnecessary interventions to minority rights have happened in post independent era.  The reason may be political but minority rights are protected legally and constitutionally.  We have two favourable situations (1) Written constitution and a frame work of law and a system of an excellent judiciary (2) Vast majority of majority community are adoring Christianity and other minority communities.  We should not paint everybody with the same brush.  It is unfair to say that all are unsecular and future of minorities is unsafe and in danger in India.

Tough times bring togetherness, unity among people and leaders.   It is a fact that a price has to be paid for faith and we have to be always willing to pay the price for our faith at any cost.   Martyrs who shed their blood and sacrificed their lives are the epitome and foundation of this faith.     

Let me conclude this by quoting few lines of renowned writer, Mr. Chetan Bhagat to throw lighit in to real situation of secularism in India.  “One way some politicians fool us is by playing vote bank politics.  They understand the oppression felt by the minority community, claim to be their saviours, and ask for their vote in return.  The member of the minority community votes for the candidate or party in the  hope that it will come to power and protect them.  Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen.  What happens is that the wrong guy is chosen for the job, someone who is neither competent, nor honest.  He is chosen only because he is a symbol of hope for the minority.  Decades pass and the minority community remains as oppressed as ever. – He continues “We are at a unique point of India’s history.  A significant part of the population is craving for change.  Vote bank politics and hating the other’s religion should be branded un-Indian.  After all, our religions have stood the test of time.  It is our nation, yours and mine too that has to be made great now”.  (What young India Wants – By Chetan Bhagat)