Class Viiith Civics Chap-2 Secularism Notes 

1. Meaning of secularism 
2. Secularism in the Indian context 
3. Fundamental rights to freedom of religion
4.Other societies based on the principle of secularism 

1. Meaning of Secularism 

Treating all religion equal and not discriminating people on the basis of religion is referred to as secularism.

India is a secular country. 

There are countries in the world that discriminate, exclude and prosecute people belonging to a certain religious group that is in minority. 

e. g:- Jews in Nazi Germany, Black in South Africa etc were discriminated and tortured. 

2. Secularism in the Indian context

India is a secular country and therefore strives hard to :

• Prevent domination of one religious group. 

• Establish people's right to believe and follow the religion of their choice. 

Strategies to uphold secularism 

1. Separation of Religion from the State

 

       This is achieved by making sure that the government does not promote a particular religion in their day-to-day activities. The state can not favour or condemn any religion.

 2. Non-interference in Religious beliefs and practices

The Indian state allow freedom to people to follow their religious beliefs and observe rituals. They usually do not interfere in the religious matters of the people. 

e. g:- A sikh is allowed to follow 5 ks. 

3. Interfering to uphold constitution 

 Sometimes people use some religious practice to discriminate and deny equality to the people of the Sams community. 

Therefore the Indian state interferes in such situations to ensure equality. 

e. g:- Untouchability etc. 

3. Fundamental rights to freedom of religion

To make secularism strong, Freedom of religion has been included in one of the fundamental rights.

Article 25,26,27 and 28 allow citizens to follow the religion of their choice. 

4. Other societies based on the principle of secularism 

➡There are many countries besides India who promotes establishment of secularism. However the concept of secularism may have a bit of different meanings. 

➡️ The constitution of India has given protection to the people, still many instances of religion based riots in the society is observed. 

➡️ But that does not mean the concept of secularism have proved useless .These rights remind people to res