Secularism
Chapter 8
1. Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reason
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(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
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(b) Recognition of a state religion.
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(c) Equal state support to all religions.
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(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
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(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
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(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
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g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
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2. Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.
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Western Secularism Indian Secularism Strict non-interference of State supported religious religion and state in each reforms allowed other’s affairs
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Equality between different Equality between different religious groups is a key concern
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Attention to minority rights
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Individual and his rights at the Rights of both individual and centre
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State supported religious religion and state in each reforms allowed
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Equality between different religious groups is a key concern sects of a religion is emphasised Attention to minority rights Less attention to community based rights.
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Rights of both individual and religious community protected.
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3. What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
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4. Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.
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(a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
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(b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
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(c) Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
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5. Indian secularism focuses on more than the religion-state separation. Explain.
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6. Explain the concept of principled distance.
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Question type Ali rani Kakati
