Exp) Option c is the correct answer.

‘Principled Distance’ is a model of secularism. The separation of government institutions and persons mandated to represent the state from religious institutions and religious dignitaries. In India separation between religion and state did not mean their mutual exclusion but rather principled distance. It allows the state to be distant from all religions so that it can intervene or abstain from interference, depending upon which of these two would better promote liberty, equality and social justice.