Secularism refers to the separation of religion from the state. It means that the state should not discriminate among its citizens on the basis of religion. With the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India (1976), the Preamble to the Constitution asserted that India is a “secular” nation. The meaning of a secular state is that it does not prioritize any one religion for the country and its people. Proclaimed in the amended Preamble to the Constitution of our country. It reads as follow: “We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic and to secure to all its citizens”…..
Secularism is a doctrine which seeks to realize a secular society, a society in which there is no inter-religious or intra-religious domination. There is no state religion and every citizen has the rights to profess, propagate or practice any religion.
There is no religion of the state in a secular state, unlike a theocratic state. In India, there is no state religion. All the religions are equally respected in India. There is no domination of one religious community over other communities. The Constitution grants religious freedom to all people. Every individual can keep faith in any religion. Each individual can very freely worship his religious Gods. The Government cannot in any way interfere in the religious affairs of the people. Article 27 of the constitution provides that no person shall be compelled to pay any tax for the maintenance or promotion of any particular religious denomination. Article 28 of the Indian Constitution provides that no religious education shall be provided in any educational institution partly or wholly maintained by the State.
Therefore, we can proudly say that India is a secular country, while maintaining its integrity to its core.
