Western Model of Secularism
In the Western Model of Secularism, the religion and state are mutually separated from each other i.e neither state interferes in the affairs of religion nor religion intervenes in the affairs of state.
1) No policy or law formed by the state can have an exclusively religious rationale and no religious classification can form the basis of any public policy.
2) Neither state aids any religious institution nor it gives any sort of financial support to educational institutions run by religious communities.
3) As long as the activities of religious communities are within the boundary of the law, the state cannot hinder such activities.
4) Religion is a private affair and it is not a matter of state policy.
Example:
- If a religious institution forbids a woman from becoming a priest, then the state cannot do much about it.
- If a religious community outcast its dissenters, the state can only be a silent spectator.
- If a particular religion forbids the entry of some of its members in the sanctum of its temple, then the state can do little about it.
5) The Western Model of Secularism focuses on intra-religious domination and the other communities does not have the liberty to follow its own practices. Thus, it hampers the community-based rights and minority rights.
Drawbacks of Western Model of Secularism
a) It curtails the individual freedom.
b) The issues of inter-religious equality and minority rights are often neglected.
c) The state does not support any religious reform.
Indian Model of Secularism
India has been the land of cultural and religious diversity where the people of different communities having different languages, customs and traditions have lived together in peace and harmony from ages. Thus in India, there already existed a culture of ‘inter-religious tolerance’.
The emergence of Western modernity brought the thought of equality within the community as well as inter-community equality.
The Indian model of Secularism focuses on amalgamation of the thoughts of inter-religious tolerance which already existed in the Indian society with the thoughts that came from West.
Thus, Indian secularism focuses on :
a) Separation of state and religion
b) Inter-religious equality
c) Intra-religious equality
- Prevents oppression of Dalits and women within Hinduism
- Prevents discrimination against women within Indian Islam or Christianity
d) Religious freedom of individuals
- A person can profess the religion of his choice.
e) Religious freedom of minority communities
- Prevents the oppression of minority religious communities by the majority community.
- The minority communities has the right to exist and maintain their own culture and educational institutions.
f) State-supported religious reform allowed
- Indian constitution bans untouchability
- Enacted laws to abolish child marriage
- Inter-caste marriages allowed in Hinduism
- Indian Constitution grants all religious minorities the right to establish and maintain their own educational institutions which may receive assistance from the state.
| Western - Secularism |
Indian – Secularism |
| In the West, all religious institutions and organizations are distinct from the operation of the state. |
Secularism in India means that the state is neutral to all religious groups but not necessarily separate |
| The state thinks that religion should be free of all interference. If religion is interfering with the state''s ability to function, the state has the authority to limit citizens'' rights. |
The concept is not limited to the topic of how religious groups should be treated in India. The essence of secularism, on the other hand, is the creation of constructive interaction between the state and religion. |
| Secularism in the Western sense opposes open displays of religion, with the exception of places of worship. |
In India, all forms of religion are tolerated and supported by the government. |
| The line between state and religion is obvious and unmistakable. |
In India, there is no obvious boundary between state and religion. |
| The concept of secularism originated in mid-eighteenth-century Enlightenment ideas, which were first incorporated in the French Constitution following the French Revolution (5 May 1789 – 9 November 1799). |
The term ‘secularism'' was established in the Indian Constitution with the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, notwithstanding the fact that the concept of secularism was rudimentary in ancient and medieval India. |
| All religions are treated equally by the state. It does not provide financial assistance to religious organizations or levy taxes on them. |
A religious institution receives financial assistance from the state and is also taxed. |
| Regardless of religious affiliation, a single standard rule of law is employed to administer justice. |
Although the law is the same for all residents, each town has its own set of personal laws regarding marriage and property rights. However, under the Indian Penal Code, they are all treated equally. |
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