Page 1 - Lesson Notes-Std-8-civics-Chap 2-Subtopic 2- what is Indian Secularism
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SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                            VIRTUAL LEARNING MODULE 4 (2.2),     2020 – 21
                                                   Subject – Civics
                                    Chapter – 2: Understanding Secularism
                                                     Class – VIII
                                    Sub topic 1: What is Indian Secularism?

                                                    Lesson Notes



               NOTES
               Page no: 23,24,25,26

               1. Indian secularism works through a strategy of non-interference. This means that in
               order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not to interfere with religious
               practices, the state makes certain exceptions for religious communities.

               2. E.g. Sikhs do not have to wear a helmet while driving a two-wheeler. This is
               because the Indian state recognizes that wearing a pagri (turban) is central to Sikh
               religious practices.

               3. Indian secularism works through a strategy of intervention. E.g. The Caste
               System. Within the same religion the upper caste Hindus dominate the members of
               the lower castes within it. Therefore, the Indian Constitution intervened and banned
               Untouchability because it was violating the Fundamental Right of the lower castes.
               (Right to Equality).

               4. To ensure that laws relating to equal inheritance rights are respected the state
               may have to intervene in the religion based personal laws of the communities.

               5. The intervention of the state can also be in the form of support. The constitution
               grants the right to religious communities to set up their own schools and colleges. It
               also gives them financial aid.

               6. In the U.S.A the separation between State and religion means that neither the
               State nor religion can interfere in the affairs of one another. (There is a strict
               separation). But in Indian secularism the state can intervene in religious affairs. E.g.
               The Indian constitution intervened in Hindu religious practices in order to abolish
               untouchability.
               7. In February 2004, France passed a law banning students from wearing any
               conspicuous religious or political signs or symbols such as the Islamic headscarf, the
               Jewish skullcap or large Christian crosses. With the passing of this law, children
               have been expelled from school for wearing headscarves.
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