Question

List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighborhood. 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?

Answer 1

HINT: According to the Preamble of our constitution, India is a secular country. That means India has no state religion and every religion is treated with equal respect. Secularism is an inalienable part of Indian culture since many faiths have coexisted in India for centuries.

COMPLETE ANSWER:
India is a diverse country where people with different religions coexist peacefully. Article 25 of the Indian constitution guarantees the freedom of conscience, the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion to all citizens. The people of India are free to practice any religion they want.
In my locality, there are two temples, a Jain temple, a Church, a Mosque, a Sufi saint shrine, and a Gurdwara. They are a part of people's daily life. Morning azaan and Gurbani, evening aarti, Sunday prayers, bhajans, and satsangs are regular events. Festivals like Navratri, Holi, Christmas, Muharram, Eid, Guru Nanak Jayanti, Buddha Purnima are celebrated with great zeal. Every full moon people visit the nearby river. Every Sunday organizations like Satya Sai Sanstha conduct Prabhat pheri. Hindus wear a red thread, Muslims wear skull caps and Sikhs wear their turban. People of all religions and places visit the Sufi shrine to offer chadar and get blessings.
Yes, this indicates freedom of religious practice as people are free to profess, practice, and propagate their religion without any interference from the state.

NOTE:
The word secularism was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment in the preamble. According to the Supreme Court, it is a part of the basic structure of the constitution. That means the government cannot make laws that undermine the secular character of India.