Questions Answers of AHSEC Solution for Class 11 Political Science Part B Chapter 8 Secularism. All the important questions answers are discussed in this article.

Secularism

Class XI Political Science

Questions Answers of Peace:-

    The questions answers of Class 11 Political Science Part B Chapter 8 Secularism has been discussed in systematic way. There are approximately important 10 questions answers in this article.

1. What is the meaning of Secular State?

Ans:- A Secular State is one that protects all religions equally and does not uphold any religion as the state religion. 

2. Is India is a Secular State?

Ans:- India is a Secular State. By inserting the word ‘Secular’ in the Preamble of the Constitution by 42nd Amendment Act. India is declared a Secular State.

3. Write one Characteristic of Secularism.

Ans:- In a secular state there is no state religion. 

4. What do you mean by word ‘secular’?

Ans:- The term ‘secular’ means non-spiritual, having no concern with religions or spiritual matters.

5. Mention main features of Western view of Secularism. 

Ans:- (i) Complete separation of State and religions.

(ii) No State interferes in religious affairs.

(iii) No religious interference in the State affairs.

(iv) State cannot aid any religious institution.

6. Mention two features of Indian Secular State.

Ans:- (i) There is no State religion in India. No religion has been given special rights and no religion has been given any special help by the State.

(ii) The Constitution grants religious freedom to all the people. Every individual can have faith in any religion.

7. Write four merits of a Secularism.

Ans:- (i) Secularism is more democratic.

(ii) It is more scientific and based on rationalism. 

(iii) It is based on broader outlook.

(iv) Secularism is more humane.

8. What is the meaning of Secularism in India?

Ans:- In India, Secularism does not mean the indifference of the State towards religion, rather it means giving respect to all religions by the State. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has said in the Constituent Assembly, “Secularism does not mean that we shall not take into consideration the religious sentiments of the people. All that what a Secular State means is that Parliament shall not be competent to impose any particular religion on the rest of the people.” 

9. Give a critical appraisal of Indian Secularism.

Ans:- A study of Indian Secularism, as brings home the point that our model of secularism is, much different from its classical prototype drawing inspiration from the Middle Ages, That is, it is much different from the classical model, that asks the State to observe an attitude of neutrality and impartiality towards all religions. The classical model informs that a secular state “is founded on the idea that it is concerned with the relation between man and man and not with the relation between man and God which is a matter for individual conscience.” Western writers, who look at the case of secularism through the spectacles of medieval times, thus fail to understand the real nature of Indian secularism and thus they come to hold that India “is not a purely secular state.” Likewise, Smith says- Is India a secular state? the answer is a qualified ‘Yes’.

In fine, it may be said that Indian secularism is a dynamic affair designed to suit the requirements of a progressive nation. It not only keeps the religion and politics off from one another in normal situations, it also makes the former subject to the latter in abnormal conditions created by the exigencies of social reform. The Constitution combats communalism at every plane whether it is religion, or caste, or race, or the like. While dispelling the lurking suspicions and fears of some members in regard to the progressive and dynamic orientations of our secularism, Dr. Ambedkar emphatically said in the Constituent Assembly that it is quite impossible for anybody to conceive that the personal law shall be excluded from the jurisdiction of the State. Again “Let no community be in a state of mind that they are immune from the sovereign authority of this Parliament.” The paramount consideration, in a word, is not the traditional sanctity of a religion but the unity and strength of a progressive and vital nation. Thus in all the provisions of the Constitution in regard to secularism, there “is a determined attempt in them all to avoid an alliance of religion and politics, which often leads to dangerous consequences to the stability of a state…… This is as it should be in a progressive modern democracy.” 

10. What are the main characteristics of secularism?

Ans:- The main characteristics of secularism are as under.

(i) No State Religion:- There is no religion of the state in a secular state unlike a theocratic state. In India, too, there is no religion of the state.

(ii) Equal respect for all Religions:- All the religions are equally respected in India. This feature of the secular character of Indian polity distinguishes it from the secular character of the Western countries. There is no domination of one religious community over other communities.

(iii) Equal religious freedom for All:- Every person in India has been given the freedom to believe or not to believe in any religion. The state does not grant special facilities for any particular religion.

(iv) No Intra-Religions Domination:- It means that all groups and sections of the people within a particular religious community should have equal right to freedom and opportunity. 

Dr. Ratanlal Brahma, M.A., B.Ed., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Post Graduate Teacher (Political Science)
H.N.Seminary Model HS School, Bagribari, Dhubri, Assam
Email : brahmaratan@gmail.com
Whatsapp no. : 7020477396