1. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer
The government in any democratic nation would intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide because this tradition goes against the Fundamental Right to Life. It involves the killing of an innocent and is, hence, unacceptable. The government, in this case, interferes by coercion. However; sometimes, the government may also intervene via support. For example, Sikhs in Delhi are excused from wearing helmets on two-wheeler because their religion demands them to wear a turban-a sacred tradition for them.
2 Complete the table given in book exercise with examples.
Answer
(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 pre-dominantly Protestants.
3. The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in religion. Explain with examples.
Answer
- The Indian State distances itself from the religion and it is not rules by a religious group & nor does it support any one religion. - Equal respect is given to all the religions. In order to prevent domination by one particular community, the state may interfere in the religion. - State may interfere in the religion to ensure that all the religions are treated equally. - Sometimes, the State may have to intervene in the religion based on personal laws' of the communities to ensure that laws relating to equal inheritance are protected.
4. What is Secularism? •
Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State. Why is it Important to Separate Religion from the State? • The separation of religion from State power is important for a country to function democratically.
• Almost all countries of the world will have more than one religious group living in them. - If majority religious group has access to State power, then they misuse their power to other religions.
• Also, we need to protect the freedom of individuals to preach the religion of their choice.
5. What is Indian Secularism?
• According to the Constitution,
• The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one religion.
• In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.
• In order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not interfere with religious practices, the State makes certain exceptions for particular religious communities. For example: a sikh while riding bike can wear pugri (turban) instead of helmet.
Answer
The government in any democratic nation would intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide because this tradition goes against the Fundamental Right to Life. It involves the killing of an innocent and is, hence, unacceptable. The government, in this case, interferes by coercion. However; sometimes, the government may also intervene via support. For example, Sikhs in Delhi are excused from wearing helmets on two-wheeler because their religion demands them to wear a turban-a sacred tradition for them.
2 Complete the table given in book exercise with examples.
Answer
(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 pre-dominantly Protestants.
3. The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in religion. Explain with examples.
Answer
- The Indian State distances itself from the religion and it is not rules by a religious group & nor does it support any one religion. - Equal respect is given to all the religions. In order to prevent domination by one particular community, the state may interfere in the religion. - State may interfere in the religion to ensure that all the religions are treated equally. - Sometimes, the State may have to intervene in the religion based on personal laws' of the communities to ensure that laws relating to equal inheritance are protected.
4. What is Secularism? •
Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State. Why is it Important to Separate Religion from the State? • The separation of religion from State power is important for a country to function democratically.
• Almost all countries of the world will have more than one religious group living in them. - If majority religious group has access to State power, then they misuse their power to other religions.
• Also, we need to protect the freedom of individuals to preach the religion of their choice.
5. What is Indian Secularism?
• According to the Constitution,
• The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one religion.
• In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.
• In order to respect the sentiments of all religions and not interfere with religious practices, the State makes certain exceptions for particular religious communities. For example: a sikh while riding bike can wear pugri (turban) instead of helmet.
