NCERT Book Class 11 Political Science (Political Theory) Chapter 8 Secularism

Chapter 8

Overview
When different cultures and communities exist within the same country, how should a
democratic state ensure equality for each of them? This is the question that emerged in
the previous chapter. In this chapter we will try and see how the concept of secularism
may be applied to answer that concern. In India, the idea of secularism is ever present in
public debates and discussions, yet there is something very perplexing about the state
of secularism in India. On the one hand, almost every politician swears by it. Every
political party professes to be secular. On the other hand, all kinds of anxieties and
doubts beset secularism in India. Secularism is challenged not only by clerics and
religious nationalists but by some politicians, social activists and even academics.
In this chapter we will engage in this ongoing debate by asking the following questions:
o What is the meaning of secularism?
o Is secularism a western implant on Indian soil?
o Is it suitable for societies where religion continues to exercise a strong influence on
individual lives?
o Does secularism show partiality? Does it ‘pamper’ minorities?
o Is secularism anti-religious?
At the end of this chapter you should be able to understand and appreciate the
importance of secularism in a democratic society like India, and learn something about
the distinctiveness of Indian secularism. 111