5 Marks Question

Question 15 Marks

Indian secularism focuses on more than the religion-state separation. Explain.

Answer

In India, secularism opposes all kinds of interreligious domination and institutionalized religious domination.
Indian secularism promotes freedom within religions, i.e. no discrimination on the basis of religion, colour, race, etc. and equality among different religions.
India has promoted religious harmony to value peace, freedom and equality.
Indian secularism separates clearly the religious institutions and state institutions.
A secular state must be committed to the principle and goals of peace, religious freedom, freedom from religious oppressions, discrimination and exclusion of inter religious and intra-religious equality.
Indian constitution declares that every citizen enjoys a right to reside with freedom and dignity in any part of country.
Indian secularism follows all concepts related with principled distance.

Question 25 Marks

Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.
Western Secularism.

Answer

Western Secularism	Indian Secularism
Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other's affairs.	State supported religious reforms allowed.
Less attention to community based rights.	Attention to minority rights.
Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised.	Equality between different religious groups is a key concern.
Individual and his rights at the centre.	Rights of both individual and religious community protected.

Question 35 Marks

Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.

Answer

Absence of domination of one religious group over another is compatible with the idea of secularism as it allows freedom to all religious groups.

Equal state support to all religions is compatible with the idea of secularism as it provides a chance to every religion to preserve it’s traditions and flourish.

Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority is compatible with the idea of secularism as this will provide right to the minority to maintain it’s cultural identity and a chance to develop.

Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples is compatible with the idea of secularism as it prevents discrimination and provides equal rights to every social group.

Question 45 Marks

Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.

Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.

Answer

Secularism allows us to have a religious identity. In India, a citizen can have a religious identity, so that he/ she can represent his/ her religious institution whenever required in order to preserve and develop it.
Secularism is against inequality both within a religious group and between different religious groups. The Indian government tries to maintain equality within religious groups to prevent discrimination and eradicate practices that are derogatory to human dignity.
Secularism may have a western-Christian origin but it is suitable for India. This is due to the fact that India is a multi-cultural and religious society. Thus, it is necessary to ensure equal treatment to all groups both within and between different religions to maintain harmony and integrate the country.

Question 55 Marks

What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?

Answer

Secularismis:

State has no religion of its own.
No, discrimination among the people on the basis of religion.
Every religion is equal before law.
Every citizen enjoys freedom to reside with freedom and dignity in any part of country.

Equating of secularism with religious tolerance:

Religious tolerance is a powerful base of secularism, i.e. state has positive attitude due to sense of religious tolerance but they do not treat all sects equally.
Secularism provides fundamental rights to minority religious groups within the dominion of state.
The religious tolerance is not a right but a mutual sympathy.
Secularism opposes to intra-religious domination because, if religious tolerance is allowed only, then the people of majority will dominate the people of minority.
Indian secularism emphasizes on peaceful co-existence refer to equal respect towards all religions and their practices and clarity in case of ambiguity.
Under Indian secularism, religiously sanctioned caste-hierarchy are not acceptable.
Though secular state does not have to treat every aspect of every religion with equal respect, but it stops disregard towards the genuine aspects of other sects or religion.

Political Science 5 Marks Question