Q. Consider the following statements regarding the features of Indian Secularism:
1. It advocates mutual exclusion of state and religion in order to protect individual freedom.
2. It forbids state from providing any type of financial aid to any specific religious community.
3. A single standard civil law is employed in delivering justice regardless of religious affiliation.
4. It prevents the State from discriminating against any citizen on the grounds of religion.
How many of the above given statements are correct?
Exp) Option a is the correct answer.
Secularism is the principle that determine the relationship between government and the religion. It plays an important role in a diverse country like India.
Option 1 is incorrect: India’s secularism does not completely separate religion and state. But secularism in India means a state that is neutral to all religious groups.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Indian Constitution permits partial financial support for religious schools as well as the financing of religious buildings and infrastructure by the state. All religions are treated equally by the state.
Statement 3 is incorrect: In Indian secularism, different religions has its own set of personal laws regarding marriage and divorce, maintenance, guardianship and succession, joint family and partition etc. However, Goa is the only state in India which has a uniform civil code, which have single set of laws for all religious people.
Statement 4 is correct: Secularism in India provides the state to be neutral towards all religious groups. Indian Constitution prevents the State from discriminating against any citizen on the grounds of religion (Article 15).
