[Answered] How Indian secularism is different from secularism in west? Also, Illustrate how Secularism is an ancient concept in India?

Secularism is the principle that determine the relationship between government and the religion. It plays an important role in a diverse country like India. The 42nd amendment of the Constitution of India, amended the Preamble of the Constitution declaring India as a secular nation. In India secularism means state view all religions as equal.

Secularism in India:

1. In India secularism does not mean separation of religion from state. Instead, secularism in India means a state that is neutral to all religious groups.
2. India does not have an official state religion.
3. The 7th schedule of Indian constitution places religious institutions, charities and trusts into Concurrent List, which means that both the central government of India, and various state governments in India can make their own laws about religious institutions, charities and trusts.

Differences from the Western concept:

1. Indian concept of secularism is different from the Western concept of secularism. In the West it is conceived as separation of state and religion. Although in India secularism is not separate from religion. Rather state see all religion as equal.
2. The Western secularism means total non-interference of state and religion in the functioning of each other. The state is allowed to curtail the rights of citizens, if the religion is causing hindrance in the functioning of state.
3. On the other hand, in India the concept is not restricted to the question of how the religious groups are to be treated. Instead, the essence of secularism lies in forging a positive relation between the state and religion in the social and cultural realm.

Secularism- an ancient concept in India:

1. Indian religions are known to have co-existed and evolved together for many centuries before the arrival of Islam in the 12th century, followed by Mughal and colonial era.
2. The religion, practices and beliefs of the Indus Valley Civilisation was secular. Indus Valley people worshipped the male god and a mother goddess; the worship of many symbolic representations of the world around.
3. Vedic people worshipped rain god, fire god etc that reflect their secular sentiments.
4. Buddhism and Jainism embraced many people of all the faiths under their philosophy showing secular character. Also patronisation of Buddhism and Jainism by various kings shows secular character of ancient times in India.
5. Even art and architecture showed secular character and evolved as Indo-Islamic, Anglo-Indian etc. Ellora cave temples built between 5th and 10th centuries, shows a coexistence of religions and a spirit of acceptance of different faiths. It has Buddhist caves, Hindu caves and Jain caves, built in proximity, suggesting religious co-existence and secular sentiments.
6. Ashoka about 2200 years ago, Harsha about 1400 years ago accepted and patronised different religions. Ashoka’s dhamma had helped in spreading of Buddhism across the nation.
7. Akbar tried to fuse ideas, professed equality between Islam and other religions of India, forbade forced conversions to Islam, abolished religion-based discriminatory jizya taxes, and welcomed building of Hindu temples. Akbar’s idea of Sulh-i-kul was described by him a peaceful and harmonious relationship among different religions.
8. During colonial times Muslim and Hindu fought together. 1857 revolt was fought by many Hindu leaders like Rani Laxmibai, Nana Sahib and Muslim leaders like Begum Hazrat Mahal together. Even they unanimously declared Bhadur Shah Zaffar as their leader.
9. Gandhi’s support for Khilafat movement, role of many Muslims like Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan (frontier Gandhi) in fighting together against British show secularism was there even at worse times.
10. The Parsis who fled Iran and came to India to escape persecution, survived in India subsequently and prospered, due to India’s secular character. Dada bhai Nairoiji was one among many that contributed to Indian freedom.

The essence of secularism lies in accommodation of varied social groups and overcome tendencies that destructs the social fabric of the any society. In India where differences exists in terms of different religions and cultures secularism plays a crucial role. It is evident that Indian secularism since ancient India embraced many religions, sects, communities showing tolerance and true sense of accommodation, leading to a tolerant nation with social cohesion.