Understanding Secularism - Class 8 Civics - Extra Questions

Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

In this case, the government will definitely intervene. Our Constitution has given the government the right to intervene in religious affairs if there is a threat to social harmony or of a criminal offence. Infanticide is a savage crime and cannot be allowed at any cost; even in the name of religion.



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

  • There are three temples, one mosque, one church and a gurudwara in my neighbourhood.
  • There is a tomb of a Sufi saint in the nearby market.
  • People sing bhajans in temple, gurbani in gurudwara, qawwali at the tomb and carol at the church.
  • Processions of Ram Navami, Muharram, and Guru Purab are taken out at different occasions.
  • This shows that people enjoy a lot of freedom of religious practice in my neighbourhood. This also shows that India is a secular country in literal sense and people have the right to practice their religion.


ObjectiveWhy is this important?Example of a violation of this
objective
One religious community
does not dominate another.
The State does not enforce
any particular religion nor
take away the religious
freedom of individuals
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.
Complete the following table:

(a) This is important to protect the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion.

Example of violation: the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on 6th December, 1992 by Hindu nationalists.
(b) This is important to uphold the ideals of a democratic nation which allows its citizens freedom to choose whichever religion they wish to follow.

Example: France, in February 2004, banned headscarves and turbans in public places, thereby hurting the sentiments of Muslim and Sikh minorities.
(c) This is necessary to uphold individual freedom in the light of pressure from a group or religious community that one belongs to.

Example, the Christian community is divided into Protestants and Catholics; Irish Catholics are looked down upon and troubled by the officials of the Church of England who are predominantly Protestants.


"Secularism is not an ideology of some political parties or persons, but it is one of the foundations of our country." Examine the statement.

Secularism is not an ideology of political parties but is the foundations of our country because - 
  • There is no official religion of the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion. 
  • The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any. 
  • The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.


Describe any five features of secularism in India. 

Features of Indian secularism are : 
  • Equal respect and recognition for all religions by the state. 
  • No discrimination by the state on the basis of religion. 
  • Non-interference in the functioning of any religion by the state. 
  • No official religion in India.
  • An individual has the right to practice, propagate and profess any religion. 


This poster alongside highlights the need for Peace. It says, "Peace is a never-ending process...It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests". Write in your own words what you think the above sentences are trying to convey? How does it relate to the need for religious tolerance?
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Peace can never be the final destination because situations keep on changing. Society is quite complex in which different people have different aspirations and motivations. Many people are always on the lookout for an opportunity to disturb social harmony. So, a peace process has to take into account the differences and common interests of different sets of people in the society.


Mention any three constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.

In India, people follow different religions. Therefore, India remained neutral in matters of religion and chose to be a secular country. A secular state or a country is one that does not establish any one religion as official religion. 
Following constitutional provisions declare India to be a secular state: 
(i) The Constitution provides to all its citizens the freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion of their choice. 
(ii) There is no official religion for India. Unlike Sri Lanka where Buddhism is the state religion, Islam in Pakistan and Christianity in England, our Constitution does not provide any special status to any religion. 
(iii) The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.


The Indian State keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in its affairs. This is quite confusing. Discuss this by giving examples.

The Indian State does not interfere in the religious beliefs and practices of individuals and thus keeps away from the religious affairs of the citizens. But when someone tries to disturb social harmony in the name of religion then the State has the right to intervene. This is an example of a balancing act between non-interference in religious beliefs and maintaining social harmony. For example; there are many instances when the Hindus insist on taking out the Ram Navami procession through Muslim dominated areas. Similarly, the Muslims may also insist on taking out the Muharram procession through Hindu dominated areas. In such a case, the administration has to assess the situation so that social harmony can be maintained.


Look up to the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different religions? What does this indicate?

Many holidays on a school's annual calendar pertain to different religions like Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam. There is a holiday for Holi, Eid, Good Friday, Diwali, Guru Purab, and Christmas. This indicates that India is a secular country where religious freedom is granted to its citizens and all religions are equally respected.



Answer the following question in $$25$$ to $$30$$ words.
What measures are taken to ensure that people of different religions will live peacefully?

The following are some measures taken to ensure that people of different religions live peacefully:-
  • Every person is allowed to adopt a religion of his or her choice and faith. 
  • The government must treat persons of all religion equally. 
  • Protecting minority religious groups and taking special care of their development.


Match list I with list II and select the correct answer using the codes given below :

A republic is not a monarchy hence, a republic has a head of the state who is not a hereditary monarch.
A secular state does not recognize any religion as a state religion as it maintains a separation of state and religion.
Democracy is a form of government in which rulers are elected by the people. Hence, a democratic government gets its authority from the will of the people.
Sovereignty means the authority of a state to govern itself hence a sovereign state is free to conduct its own internal and external affairs.


Why do we call India a secular and democratic republic? Explain.

Secularism means all religions are equal. Though India is a multireligious, multicultural state, it doesn't support one single religion as the religion of the state. In a democracy, people choose their representatives who govern them. Also, the head of the state is an elected one and not a hereditary monarch. 
Therefore, India is a secular and democratic republic.


Class 8 Civics Extra Questions