Secularism is a ‘modern’ concept, does not fit India’s tradition, says RSS chief

Why in News ?

RSS chief has claimed secularism to be incompatible with Indian tradition.

UPSC Relevance

Mains, 

GS1, Secularism

GS2, Indian Constitution—Historical Underpinnings, Evolution, Features, Amendments, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.

Comparison of the Indian Constitutional Scheme with that of Other Countries.

Definition and Core Concept of Secularism

Secularism is the political and social principle of separating government, state affairs, and public policy from religious institutions and religious dogma. Under a secular framework, the state remains neutral in matters of faith, ensuring equal treatment and legal protection for all individuals regardless of their religious beliefs or non-belief, while safeguarding individual freedom of thought, conscience, and worship.

Origin of Secularism in the West amidst modernity

• The Protestant Reformation (16th Century): Martin Luther’s challenge to the Catholic Church broke the singular political and spiritual hegemony of the Papacy. The theological distinction between spiritual and worldly domains planted early seeds for political neutrality toward religion.
• European Wars of Religion (16th – 17th Century): Devastating conflicts, such as the Thirty Years’ War, compelled European states to seek non-sectarian forms of governance capable of maintaining civic order among competing Christian denominations, culminating in the Peace of Westphalia (1648).
• The Enlightenment Era (17th – 18th Century): Philosophers such as John Locke (A Letter Concerning Toleration) and Voltaire championed individual liberty, reason over religious dogma, and the structural separation of church authority from civil government.
• Constitutional Codification (Late 18th Century):
  • United States (1791): The First Amendment prohibited the federal establishment of religion and guaranteed free exercise.
  • France (1789): The French Revolution established anti-clerical state policies, eventually evolving into Laïcité (formal state-church separation under the 1905 law).
• Coining of the Term (1851): British reformer George Jacob Holyoake explicitly coined the term “secularism” to describe a social order devoted to improving human well-being through material means, science, and reason, without promoting or condemning religion.

Secularism in the Indian Constitution

• Initial Omission of the Word “Secular” – When the Constitution of India was adopted in 1949, the word “secular” was intentionally omitted from the Preamble, though its principles were deeply embedded within the document. Key reasons for the initial omission by the Constituent Assembly (notably Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru) include:
  • Implicit Protection via Fundamental Rights: The framers believed that Fundamental Rights (Articles 14–28) already provided comprehensive guarantees for equal treatment and religious freedom, making an explicit label in the Preamble redundant.
  • Avoidance of Rigid Western Concepts: Western secularism strictly mandates a “wall of separation” between church and state. Indian leaders required a flexible model based on Sarva Dharma Sambhava (equal respect for all religions) that permitted state intervention for progressive social reform (e.g., abolishing untouchability, reforming personal laws).
  • Post-Partition Sensitivity: Following the trauma of Partition, framers preferred establishing practical, actionable constitutional rights over introducing ideologically contentious labels.
• The word was formally added to the Preamble by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976.

Constitutional & Statutory Provisions reflecting Secular principles

• Preamble: Guarantees “liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship” and explicitly asserts India as a Secular Republic.
• Article 14: Guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws.
• Articles 15 & 16: Prohibits state discrimination based on religion in public spaces and employment.
• Articles 25–28 (Right to Freedom of Religion):
  • Article 25: Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
  • Article 26: Grants religious denominations autonomy to manage their religious affairs.
  • Article 27: Prohibits compelling citizens to pay taxes dedicated to promoting any specific religion.
  • Article 28: Prohibits religious instruction in wholly state-funded educational institutions.
• Articles 29 & 30: Protects the cultural and educational rights of religious and linguistic minorities, including the right to establish and administer educational institutions.
• Article 44 (Directive Principles): Urges the state to secure a Uniform Civil Code for citizens across the country.
• Article 51A(e): Enjoins a Fundamental Duty on citizens to promote harmony and brotherhood transcending religious divides.
• Representation of the People Act, 1951 (Section 123): Classifies electoral appeals based on religion or promoting sectarian enmity as corrupt electoral practices.
• Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991: Preserves the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947.
• Judicial Precedent (S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, 1994): The Supreme Court held that secularism is part of the “Basic Structure” of the Constitution, making it immune to repeal or destruction by parliamentary amendments.

Indian Secularism vs. Western Secularism

Unique sociological conditions in India necessitated this model.

1. Pervasive Social Hierarchies: Indian religious traditions historically governed personal law, customs, and social order. Strict non-intervention would have shielded oppressive practices like untouchability and gender discrimination from statutory reform.
2. Extreme Religious Pluralism: As the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, and home to large populations of Muslims, Christians, and Zoroastrians, India could not function under a cold exclusion of religion.
3. Protection of Minorities: affirmative rights (such as managing minority educational institutions) were necessary to prevent majoritarian assimilation and instill confidence among minority groups post-Partition.
4. Public Nature of Religion: Religion in India is deeply tied to community life and identity rather than remaining strictly a private affair.

Alignment with Indian Ethos

Proponents argue that secularism is deeply congruent with Indian tradition:

• Historical Pluralism: Ancient Indian philosophy emphasises Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti (“Truth is one, sages call it by various names”), mirroring state neutrality toward diverse paths.
• Prerequisite for National Unity: State neutrality provides the necessary foundation for keeping a multi-religious country united without imposing a singular doctrine.

Critique and Debates

• Alien Western Framework: Critics contend that transplanting Western secular models ignores India’s public and cultural relationship with spiritual traditions.
• Allegations of Minoritism / Pseudo-Secularism: Political critiques often argue that practical implementation has sometimes led to electoral vote-bank politics or disproportionate accommodations under personal laws.
• Asymmetry in State Regulation: Pointed criticism exists regarding state administrative control over Hindu temples and religious trusts alongside the complete institutional autonomy granted to non-Hindu institutions under Article 30.
• Cultural Disconnect: When state secularism translates into hostility or indifference toward indigenous traditions and cultural heritage, it is frequently criticized as being out of touch with the popular ethos.

In conclusion, secularism as an institutional commitment to equal respect for all faiths (Sarva Dharma Sambhava) reflects Indian pluralistic values, while debates persist over its specific administrative and political implementations.

Practice MCQ 

Q. Consider the following statements regarding the concept of Secularism in India:

1. Unlike Western secularism, the Indian model permits state intervention in religious practices for social reform.
2. The term ‘Secular’ was part of the original Preamble in 1949.
3. The Supreme Court recognized secularism as part of the Basic Structure in the S.R. Bommai case.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 1 and 3 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only 

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only

Practice Question 

Critically evaluate whether Indian secularism’s principle of ‘principled distance’ successfully balances social reform with religious freedom. ( 15 marks)