NCERT Solutions for Class 11th: Ch 8 Secularism Political Science Political Theory
Exercises
Page No: 127
1. Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
(b) Recognition of a state religion.
(c) Equal state support to all religions.
(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
1. Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism? Give reasons.
(a) Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
(b) Recognition of a state religion.
(c) Equal state support to all religions.
(d) Mandatory prayers in schools.
(e) Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
(f) Appointment of temple management bodies by the government.
(g) Intervention of state to ensure entry of Dalits in temples.
Answer
(a) Compatible
Secularism opposes all forms of inter-religious domination.
(b) Not Compatible
Secular state has no official religion.
(c) Compatible
In Secularism, all regions are treated similar.
(d) No Compatible
Making religious activity compulsory is not accepted in secular state.
(e) Compatible
Minority community should be given right to to maintain its cultural identity.
(f) Not Compatible
Government should not interfere or involve in any kind of religious activity.
(g) Compatible
Government should prevent discrimination and provides equal rights to every social group.
2. Some of the key characteristics of western and Indian model of secularism have got mixed up. Separate them and make a new table.
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs. | State supported religious reforms allowed. |
| Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. | Equality between different sects of a religion is emphasised |
| Attention to minority rights | Less attention to community based rights |
| Individual and his rights at the centre | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
Answer
| Western Secularism | Indian Secularism |
| State supported religious reforms allowed. | Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs. |
| Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. | Equality between different religious groups is a key concern. |
| Less attention to community based rights. |
Attention to minority rights |
| Individual and his rights at the centre. | Rights of both individual and religious community protected. |
3. What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
Answer
Secularism opposes all such forms of inter-religious domination. Secularism cannot be equated with religious tolerance as tolerance may be compatible with religious domination by one group. It promotes freedom within religions, and equality between, as well as within, religions.
4. Do you agree with the following statements? Give reasons for supporting or opposing any of them.
(a) Secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity.
(b) Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
(c) Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
Answer
(a) Secularism allow us to have a religious identity. In India, people enjoy freedom of religion.A citizen can have a religious identity and can practice, preserve and develop their religion and religious institutions.
(b) The Indian government tries to maintain equality within religious groups to prevent discrimination and eradicate practices that are derogatory to human dignity.
(c) India has diverse culture, ethnicity and religion. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure equal treatment to all groups both within and between different religions to maintain harmony and integrate the country.
5. Indian secularism focuses on more than the religion-state separation. Explain.
Answer
Indian secularism does not only focus on the religion-state separation but it is also concerned with peace, religious freedom, freedom from religiously grounded oppression, discrimination and exclusion, as also inter-religious and intra-religious equality. To promote these ends the state must be separated from organised religion and its institutions for the sake of some of these values. Indian secularism allows every religion to flourish and develop. The Indian state allows the promotion of all religions and treats each of them equally. The state does not interfere in religious matters but it checks the influence of religion in public life.
6. Explain the concept of principled distance.
Answer
Principle distance means a secular state should not interfere in any religion actively to promote peace between communities and it may also intervene to protect the rights of specific communities. The state gives equal preference to every religion and respects them all equally.However, the state may interfere if religious groups try to exercise their power on the political and social life of the people. This balanced distance of state from any religion is the concept of principled distance.
Notes of Ch 7 Nationalism