CBSE Class 8 Social Science Chapter 2 – Understanding Secularism NCERT Solutions

Solution: Yes, the government in any democratic nation would intervene if a religious group claims their religion permits infanticide. This is because such a practice directly violates the Fundamental Right to Life, which is a basic human right. The killing of an innocent child is unacceptable under any circumstances. The government's intervention in such cases is a form of coercion to uphold the law and protect human life. While the state generally maintains a distance from religious affairs, it is obligated to step in when religious practices infringe upon fundamental rights and human dignity.

Solution:

1. Objective: One religious community does not dominate another.

   Why is this important? This is important to protect the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion and to maintain peace and equality among different religious groups.

   Example of violation: The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on 6th December, 1992, by Hindu nationalists, which led to communal tensions and violence, is an example of one religious community's actions negatively impacting another.

2. Objective: The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.

   Why is this important? This is crucial to uphold the ideals of a democratic nation, which guarantees its citizens the freedom to choose, practice, and profess any religion they wish, or even to not follow any religion.

   Example of violation: France's ban on headscarves and turbans in public places in February 2004 is cited as an example where state policy, intended to maintain secularism, was seen by some as infringing upon the religious freedom and sentiments of Muslim and Sikh minorities.

3. Objective: That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.

   Why is this important? This is necessary to uphold individual freedom and prevent oppression within a religious group. It ensures that individuals are not forced to adhere to certain practices or beliefs against their will due to pressure from within their own community.

   Example of violation: Historically, within Christianity, the division between Protestants and Catholics has sometimes led to discrimination. For instance, Irish Catholics have faced discrimination and trouble from officials who were predominantly Protestant, illustrating domination within the broader Christian community.

Solution: Upon reviewing a typical school's annual calendar of holidays, it is common to find several holidays that pertain to different religions (e.g., Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Gurpurab, Buddha Purnima, etc.). This indicates that India is a secular country where religious freedom is a constitutional guarantee. The recognition and observance of holidays from various faiths demonstrate that the state and its institutions, like schools, respect all religions equally and strive to accommodate the diverse religious practices of its citizens.

Solution: Different views within the same religion are common and highlight the diversity of interpretation and practice. For example, among Muslims, there are varying opinions on the 'Purdah system' (veiling and seclusion of women). While some individuals and groups advocate for and practice it, believing it to be a religious requirement, many others do not approve of it. They view it as an outdated social custom that interferes with women's freedom and their right to participate fully in public life, rather than a mandatory religious tenet.

Solution: The concept of the Indian State both keeping away from and intervening in religion can seem confusing, but it is central to Indian secularism.

Keeping Away from Religion: The Indian State distances itself from religion by not being governed by any religious group and not promoting or favouring any single religion. This ensures neutrality and prevents the state from becoming an instrument of religious domination. For instance, the state does not establish an official religion like some countries do.

Intervening in Religion: However, the state may intervene in religious matters in specific circumstances. This intervention is not about controlling religion but about ensuring equality and preventing discrimination. For example:

• To prevent domination: If a religious practice harms individuals or groups, the state intervenes. The example of infanticide (mentioned in Q1) shows intervention to protect the right to life.
• To ensure equality: The state might intervene to ensure that all religious communities are treated equally and that no community is discriminated against. This also applies to preventing domination within the same religious community, ensuring individual freedoms are protected.
• To uphold fundamental rights: When religious practices conflict with fundamental rights, such as the right to equality or life, the state steps in.

Therefore, the Indian State's approach is one of 'principled distance', where it respects religious freedom but intervenes judiciously to uphold justice, equality, and fundamental rights for all citizens.