Write a short note on religious diversity and secularism in India.

Instructions:

• Short notes on religious diversity and secularism in India. (3 Marks)
• Provisions of Indian Constitution for promoting secularism. (2 Marks)

Answer-

Various religions exist all across the world. India is home to many of those religions. For instance, there are 8 major religions in the world of which all 8 are being followed in India. Interestingly, all people following these religions in India have mutual respect for each other’s belief and co-exist peacefully. Therefore, we can conclude that India has religious diversity.

Hence, India is an important secular nation of the world. Secularism is the principle that propogates the freedom to practice and follow their religion without fear of discrimination. By adopting the principle of secularism, the Indian Constitution has ensured that all religious communities have the freedom to worship according to their beliefs and has helped in the development of a sense of mutual respect.

Provisions of Indian Constitution for promoting secularism:

• No national or state religion.
• Freedom to practice any religion or no religion.
• Prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion.
• Special provisions- protect and preserve linguistic and cultural identities of minorities.