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List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighbourhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing etc. Does this indicate freedom of religious practice?
Different types of religious practice:
(i) Jagran
(ii) Kirtan
(iii) Namaj
(iv) Mass
(v) Havan
Yes, this indicates freedom of religious practice.
Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
The government will definitely intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice of infanticide.
This is a criminal act and its stricly prohibited in India.
Complete the following table:
|
Objective |
Why is this important |
Example of a violation of this objective |
|
One religious community does not dominate another. The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals. |
||
|
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community |
|
Objective |
Why is this important |
Example of a violation of this objective |
|
One religious community does not dominate another. |
It is important for maintaining harmony in society. |
A Muslim family living among Hindu people in a locality is forbidden to offer namaz. A Hindu religious procession is not allowed to cross along the road passing through a mosque. |
|
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals |
It is essential in order to enforce the ideals of the Indian Constitution. |
Demolition of Babri Masjid |
|
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religions |
It is important in order to establish equality in the society. |
Dalits are discouraged to enter a temple. |
Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different religions? what does this indicate?
Holidays in a school calendar for different religions:
Religions Holidays:
Hindu-Holi, Dussehra, Deepawali
Muslim-Id-ul-zoha, Id-ul-fitr, Muharram
Sikh-Lohri, Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti, Guru Parv
Christian-Christmas, Good Friday.
This indicates secular nature of India.
Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.
Different views are followed even within the same religion.
Examples:
(i)In the Hindu religion we have hundreds of deities worshipped by different people.
(ii)Similarly, in Muslim community there are Shiyas and Shunnis.
(iii)In Jainas, there are Shwetambar and Digambar sects.
(iv)In Bauddha Dharma, there are Hinayaans and Mahayaans.
The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class using examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come up with.
The intervention of the State can also be in the form of support. The Indian Constitution grants the right to religious communities to set up their own schools and colleges. It also gives them financial aid on a nonpreferential basis.
Indian Constitution intervened in Hindu religious practices in order to abolish untouchability. In Indian secularism, though the State is not strictly separate from religion it does maintain a principled distance vis-à-vis religion. This means that any interference in religion by the State has to be based on the ideals laid out in the Constitution. These ideals serve as the standard through which we can judge whether the State is or is not behaving according to secular principles.
Which one is a correct statement with regard to Saudi Arabia?
Non-Muslims can gather in a public place for prayer.
They cannot build a temple, church, etc.
They can live in their own way.
None of the above
B.
They cannot build a temple, church, etc.
The most important aspect of secularism is its
separation of religion from State power
separation of politics from religion
separation of one community from another
mixing of religion with State power
A.
separation of religion from State power
The government cannot force Sikhs to wear a helmet while driving two wheelers because
Sikhs are very powerful
they do not obey government rules
they look handsome in pagri
wearing a pagri is a very important part of Sikh religion
D.
wearing a pagri is a very important part of Sikh religion
In American secularism, there is a
strict separation between religion and the State
loose separation between religion and the State
strict mingling of religion with the State
strict rule that contracts all religions
A.
strict separation between religion and the State
The Indian State is not ruled by a _________ group and nor does it __________ any one religion.
religious
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Match the following options:
| A. The Indian State | (i) Abolished |
| B. The force used by a legal authority | (ii) Skull cap |
| C. The practice of untouchability | (iii) Secular |
| D. Jews | (iv) Heads carf |
| E. Muslims | (v) Coercion |
A. The Indian State | (i) Heads carf |
B. The force used by a legal authority | (ii) Coercion |
C. The practice of untouchability | (iii) Abolished |
D. Jews | (iv) Skull cap |
E. Muslims | (v) Secular |
What examples does history provide us on the grounds of religion?
History provides us with several examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion.
How are minorities treated in the Jewish state of Israel?
Muslim and Christian minorities were treated badly in the Jewish state of Israel.
State the condition non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia.
In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build a temple, church etc. They also cannot gather in a public place for prayers.
Tips: -
V. Imp.
What does the term ‘secularism’ refer to?
Secularism refers to separation of religion from the State.
What do you mean by ‘freedom to interpret’?
‘Freedom to interpret’ means an individual's liberty to develop his own understanding of the religion that he practises.
Tips: -
Imp.
Why government schools cannot celebrate religious festivals?
Government schools cannot celebrate religious festivals because it will be a violation of government's policy of treating all religions equally.
Why Paramjit, the Sikh youth, does not have to wear a helmet?
This is because the Indian State recognises that wearing a pugri (turban) is central to a Sikh’s religious practice and in order not to interfere with this, allows an exception in the law.
How is Indian secularism different from that of American secularism?
Unlike Indian secularism, there is strict separation between religion and the State in American secularism.
What is meant by ‘principled distance’?
This means that any interference in religion by the State has to be based on the ideals laid out in the Constitution.
Tips: -
V. Imp.
Why is it important to separate religion from the State?
State the three objectives of a secular State.
Tips: -
V. Imp.
How does Indian secularism works to prevent the domination?
Tips: -
V. Imp.
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