Indian Secularism: Adjective or Necessity?

Conversations in Development Studies Journal, Volume 3 Issue III August 2021

52 Pages Posted: 24 Nov 2021

See all articles by Abhinav Padmanabhan

Abhinav Padmanabhan

O.P. Jindal Global University

Mohd Rameez Raza

DEHAT India; Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University

Sameeksha Chouhan

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University

Ada Nagar

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University

Krishanu Kashyap

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University

Wynnona Fernandes

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University

Deepanshu Mohan

O. P. Jindal Global University - Jindal Global Law School (JGLS); O. P. Jindal Global University

Date Written: August 24, 2021

Abstract

‘Secularism’ can be understood as a concept of separating religion from governance. In India’s constitutional history, this idea was advocated by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, but it was not included in the final draft of the Indian Constitution. It was later added in the Preamble by Indira Gandhi, which separated religion from government; and was made the central idea for the functioning of the State. However, with the emergence of right-wing governments of late, the fate of ‘secularism’ as a key part of the Indian constitution has been challenged. The tale of India and Secularism is probably the most debated topic throughout the social and political history of independent India. With the nature of ethnic, linguistic, cultural, and religious differences in a country as diverse as India, it could be argued that it was important for the State to be neutral and promote equality and brotherhood.

In this edition of the Conversations in Development Studies we have tried to understand the different schools of thought on the concept of ‘Secularism’; and explored the concept from perspectives of colonial history, jurisprudence, gender, social justice, economics, and development. Had the nation chosen a theocratic status, would it have been the Sword of Damocles? Would we have witnessed stagnation in social development, class diversification, gender equality, etc.?

Keywords: Secularism, Gender, Economics, Development, Equality

Suggested Citation

Padmanabhan, Abhinav and Raza, Mohd Rameez and Chouhan, Sameeksha and Nagar, Ada and Kashyap, Krishanu and Fernandes, Wynnona and Mohan, Deepanshu, Indian Secularism: Adjective or Necessity? (August 24, 2021). Conversations in Development Studies Journal, Volume 3 Issue III August 2021, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3970439

Abhinav Padmanabhan (Contact Author)

O.P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road, Near Jagdishpur Village
Sonipat, Haryana 131001
India

Mohd Rameez Raza

DEHAT India ( email )

Sewakunj, Maseehabad Road via Kati,
Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh 271801
India

HOME PAGE: http://https://dehatindia.org/

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road,
Near Jagdishpur Village, Sonipat
Haryana, Haryana 131001
India
226026 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://jgu.edu.in/jslh/centre-for-new-economics-studies/

Sameeksha Chouhan

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road,
Near Jagdishpur Village, Sonipat
Sonipat, Haryana 131001
India

Ada Nagar

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road,
Near Jagdishpur Village, Sonipat
Sonipat, Haryana 131001
India

Krishanu Kashyap

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road,
Near Jagdishpur Village, Sonipat
Sonipat, Haryana 131001
India

Wynnona Fernandes

Centre for New Economics Studies (CNES), Jindal School of Liberal Arts and Humanities, O.P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road,
Near Jagdishpur Village, Sonipat
Sonipat, Haryana 131001
India

Deepanshu Mohan

O. P. Jindal Global University - Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) ( email )

Sonipat Narela Road
Near Jagdishpur Village
Sonipat, Haryana 131 001
India
8396907211 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://www.jsia.edu.in/content/deepanshu-mohan

O. P. Jindal Global University ( email )

Cabin 6, T4 Faculty Offices
O. P. Jindal Global University,Sonipat-Narela Road
SONIPAT, HARYANA 131001
India

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