Secularism is an ideology/doctrine which imply the separation of religion from the state. This did not necessarily imply a hostile relationship between the two, only that both are exclusive. It also suggests freedom to the individual, It also opposes all such forms of inter-religious and intra-religious domination.In India, secularism is popularly understood as the best philosophy that would enable people belonging to diverse religious backgrounds to live together in a harmonious manner, and create a state that would accord the same degree of respect and freedom to all religions. In Modern time secularism is accepted as one of the fundamental bases for the development of democracy in India.
Nehru is known as an architect of Indian secularism. The constitution of India contains his philosophy about the religious neutral state. when a student asked him to spell out what secularism meant in independent India, Nehru responded that it means ‘Equal protection by the State to all religions’. For him a secular state is the one that “protects all religions, but does not favour one at the expense of others and does not itself adopt any religion as the state religion”. Nehru was the philosopher of Indian secularism.
Features of Nehru’s idea of Secularism:
- His secularism ordians the State to be impartial in religious matters.
- Nehru expressed his views on Secularism by saying that the upcoming government of India will be secular in the sense that it will not associate itself with any religious faith.
- Nehru was opposed to direct relation of the government with any religion.
- At the same time Nehru was not in favour of a complete separation between religion and state.
- A secular state can interfere in matters of religion to bring about social reform.
- Nehru himself played a key role in enacting laws abolishing caste discrimination, dowry and sati, and extending legal rights and social freedom to Indian women.
- In turn, religion can play a part in the social welfare.
- Though Nehru did not practise any religion, nor did he believe in God. But for him secularism did not mean hostility to religion.
- In that sense Nehru was very different from Ataturk in Turkey.
- Secularism means providing same facilities to all religions in India; no special treatment to a particular religion.
- He said that in Indian secular State every religion and belief shall have complete freedom and equal importance.
- Also, every citizen shall have equal freedom along with equal opportunity.
- While Nehru was prepared to be flexible on many counts, there was one thing on which he was always firm and uncompromising. Secularism for him meant a complete opposition to communalism of all kinds.
- For him, Secularism is not only a socio- political theory but a mental approach of the Individual as well the masses.
- He viewed that success of secularism depends upon the attitude of the majority community towards the minority one.
- In fact, he considered the welfare of the minority as a trust in the hands of the majority.
- Nehru also expects tolerance in the minorities; the minorities must not have such standpoint which puts on peril the unity and integrity of the Country.
- Harmony and peaceful co- existence among the communities must be the hallmarks of the secular Indian society.
- Secularism for him was not only a matter of principles, it was also the only guarantee of the unity and integrity of India.
- Nehru ardently desired the passing of Uniform Civil Code.
- Nehru believed that Personal Laws of each community jeopardizes the very concept of Secularism.
- For him the characteristics of a secular state:
- No established state religion.
- Tolerance to all the religion.
- Discouragement to bigotry.
- Equality of rights.
- Welfare of people.
- No religious education by Government.
- Condemnation of religious dogma contrary to cods.
- No religion exempted from the laws of the secular state.
Thus, Nehru knew fully well that our nation state could stabilise only if the secular polity divorced itself from all communal pulls and fanatic revivalism. A pluralistic and liberal society could survive by unifying the large cultural diversities. He was opposed to superstitions, communalism and religious fanaticism. He always wanted that his countrymen should become rational and secular in their attitudes.
