Question

What does the term ‘Secular’ mean in the Indian Constitution?
A. No state religion
B. One state religion
C. No religion
D. Sarvadharma Samabhav

Answer 1

Hint:
India is regarded as a secular nation.
It was included in the Constitution through amendment.
It is an important element of the Indian Constitution.

Complete answer:
No state religion is the exact meaning of the word ‘Secular’ in the Indian Constitution. In the year 1976 this term was introduced in the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India. It clearly stated that there is no separation between religion and state and everyone is equal before the law and all the religions are accepted by everyone. There is no priority to be given to any religion and individuals can practice any religion of their choice.

In the Fundamental Rights, Secularism is reflected in the Article 25 to 28 which states that every citizen has the freedom to of conscience, right to profess any religion of their choice, right to practice any religion and right to propagate any religion. It has also mentioned about the religious practices, i.e. rituals followed as per individual’s choice and belief.

Secularism is classified in two types:

- Positive which means equality and respect for all religions as well as protecting them equally.
- Negative includes practices which are adopted according to Western culture where there complete separation in between the religion and the state, i.e. church and politics.

Therefore, the correct answer is A

Note:
In the year 1994 the case between S.R. Bommai vs Union of India declared the validity of Secularism as an important feature in the Indian Constitution.
In case of any default in following secularism by the State Government there can be penal action taken according to Article 356.
Article 29 states protection to both the religious minorities as well as the linguistic minorities.