NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18 Secularism

Detailed, Step-by-Step NCERT Solutions for 11 Political Science Chapter 18 Secularism Questions and Answers were solved by Expert Teachers as per NCERT (CBSE) Book guidelines covering each topic in chapter to ensure complete preparation.

Secularism NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18

Secularism Questions and Answers Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18

Question 1.
Which of the following do you feel are compatible with the idea of secularism ? Give reasons.
a. Absence of domination of one religious groups by another.
b. Recognition of a state religon.
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:
Following statements are compatible with the secularism:-

a. Absence of domination of one religious group by another.
Explantation
Separation of state and religion is first and foremost essential condition of Secularism but it is also necessary for secularism that there should not be any inter or intra religions domination because secularism stands for equality, freedom and absence of discrimination and exploitation also.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18 Secularism

e. Allowing separate educational institutions for any minority community.
Secularism does not bar for opening an educational institution by any minority community. In India every educational institution run by minority community can avail government’s assistance on the basis of equality. The purpose of education is enlightment.

Question 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 minortity 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
Strict non-interference of religion and state in each other’s affairs. State can interfere in religious matters a positive manner.
Equality between different religious groups is a key  concern. Equality in inter as well as intra religious group is emphasized.
Attention to minortity rights. Attention to minority as well as majority results.
Individual rights at the centre. Individual as well as religious community’s rights are protected.

Question 3.
What do you understand by secularism? Can it be equated with religious tolerance?
Answer:
Secularism stands for neutrality of state in matter of religion. It means that state should not have attached itself with any religion. It should neither patronize any religion nor it should discriminate against any religion. People should be left free in matter of religion considering

that it is their personal matters. Secularism is concerned not only with the separation of state and religious but also with the establishment of equality based social system and it aims at removing the inter religions and intra-religious dominations and exploitation.

Secularism also seeks to promote freedom within religions, and equality between as well as within religions. Secularism is a vision. Secularism cannot be equated with religious tolerance. It is only one aspect of Secularism.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18 Secularism

Question 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. No we do not agree with the ‘a’ statement that secularism does not allow us to have a religious identity. We do not support it. Secularism does not bar any one to have his religious identity. Secularism treats religious as the personal matter of man and it seeks separation of state and religion. Man can have his/her any religious identity of his/her choice.

b. Secularism is against inequality within a religious group or between different religious groups.
Answer:
Secularism does not mean only the separation of religion and politics but it also emphasis equality within the religious community and also between two different religious groups. It also seeks to remove all forms of discrimination in different religious groups.

A state which calls itself as secular must be committed to principles and goals which are at least partly derived from non-religious sources. These end should include peace, religious freedom equality and freedom from discrimination.

c. Secularism has a western-Christian origin. It is not suitable for India.
Answer:
Secularism has definitely western and particular American origin which proposes complete separation of politics and religion. Neither state will interfere in the affairs of state nor religion will interfere in state’s affairs. Each has a separate sphere of its own with independent jurisdiction.

Similarly state cannot aid any religious institution. It cannot give financial support to educational institutions run by the religious. communities. Religion is purely a private matter and not a matter of state policy of law. There is no scope for the idea that a community has the liberty to follow practices of its own choosing. There is little scope for community-based rights or minority rights.

Indian secularism is not the exact replica of western form of secularism. Only common perception is that separation of religion and politics (state) and state not having its own religion. There are many. differences between the two. It allows support to all religion but not allow discrimination. It also allow minority rights and giving financial aids to educational institutions run by the religious institutions.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18 Secularism

Question 5.
Indian secularism focuses more than the religion-state separation. Explain.
Answer:
Like many western and American countries, Indian secularism also emphasises the separation of state and religion. But it is not the only condition and feature of Indian secularism; it is definitely more than this. Its objective is to remove the discrimination among the different social groups.

It also seeks to establish equality and justice in inter and intra religious communities. We see in India there are number of cases of exploitation not only in Inter-religious groups but also with the same religious community. Indian secularism seeks to remove this. Another aspect of Indian secularism is that it can interfere in the matters of religion to bring about social reform.

Nehru himself played a key role in enacting laws abolishing discrimination and wrong social evils like dowry and sati and extending legal rights and social freedom to Indian women. For Nehru secularism meant complete opposition to communalism.

Question 6.
Explain the concept of principled distance.
Answer:
The important common feature of Indian view and western view of secularism is the separation between state and religion. State should neither theocratic nor do they establish a religion. Therefore it is will established principle of secularism that state will not interfere in the affairs of religion and in the same way religion will not interefere in the affairs of a state. State should not have its own religion and it should be left with the man as his private affairs. Both state and religion should have their independent separate jurisdiction.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 18 Secularism

 

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