Q. Which of the following statement(s) correctly portray the secular features of Indian state as mentioned in the Constitution?
1. Freedom of transmission and dissemination of one’s religious beliefs to others is guaranteed under Indian Constitution.
2. Indian state cannot spend the money collected by way of tax for the promotion of any particular religion.
3. Constitution prohibits imparting of religious instruction by any educational institutions in India.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
Exp) Option b is the correct answer.
The Constitution of India stands for a Secular State. Hence, it does not uphold any particular religion as the official religion of the Indian State
Statement 1 is correct. Article 25 provides right to propagate that include transmission and dissemination of one’s religious beliefs to others or exposition of the tenets of one’s religion. But it does not include a right to convert another person to one’s own religion. Forcible conversions impinge on the ‘freedom of conscience’ guaranteed to all the persons alike.
Statement 2 is correct. Article 27 lays down that State should not spend the public money collected by way of tax for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion. This provision prohibits the State from favouring, patronising and supporting one religion over the other. This means that the taxes can be used for the promotion or maintenance of all religions.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Under Article 28, no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State funds. However, this provision shall not apply to an educational institution administered by the State but established under any endowment or trust, requiring imparting of religious instruction in such institution.
