Secularism in India – Essay


Read this comprehensive essay about secularism in India !

One of the fundamental changes which in Indian society have to undergo is to pass out from a sacred Society to a secular society. This is a part of change which an agricultural society, that is traditional, has to make when it changes to a modern industrial society.


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Historically, India has been a land with powerful religious sects. So, religious tolerance has been one of the traditional social values in the country.

The same religious tolerance expressed by Ashok more than 2300years ago has been one of the Indian social values.

India has a long history of secular tradition. In medieval times, the Sufi and Bhakti saints contributed greatly to the ideals of human unity and harmony. The State also extended its patronage to all the communities impartially.

Though some rulers, at times, did deviate from secular ideals, it was only for brief periods, and without affecting seriously the secular nature of the State. In fact, in such cases it only weakened the foundations of their own rule.

The East India Company followed the social values of tolerance among the various religious groups in India and non-interference in their affairs. However, the policy of non­intervention was set aside by William Bentik who was influenced by the prevailing public opinion among the Hindus spearheaded by Ram Mohan Roy to abolish Sati in 1828 and introduction of secular education through the medium of English.

Thus, it was from the time of Bentik that State intervened to bring about social reform at the instance of public opinion of the new middle classes. These two traditions, that of tolerance towards a religious groups and that of intervention when the need for reform was keenly felt by the society, have been the characteristic features of the modern Indian State since the beginning of the 19 century.

During the colonial phase, people gave ample evidence of their faith in secularism Except for a very brief period, when they allowed themselves to be led by communal feelings, they worked unitedly for the achievement of the common goal of national independence.

Keeping in mind the multi-religious nature of Indian society, the Constitution that was adopted after independence declared India to be a secular State. This inspired confidence in the minorities.

In the Constitution, all communities were given the freedom of worship and also the right to establish and maintain the religious institutions and organizations. There could also be no discrimination on grounds of religion, caste or sect. Equality before law has been constitutionally established/Adult suffrage has been introduced and a programme of planned socio-economic development is embarked upon. All these changes are but the expressions of secularisation in the different aspects of social life in India.

The process of secularisation started in India during British rule. But the process of secularisation took its course unlike Western Europe renaissance and reformation in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. The process was very slow. However, this worldly outlook, rationality and secular education gradually affected various aspects of religions in India. Various laws of social reformation, modern education, transport and communication contributed towards decline in religiosity among the Hindus.

The traditional concept of purity and pollution has declined. No purificatory rites are done today, if a person comes into contact with a person of low caste. Restrictions imposed by caste system on interdining have disappeared. The restrictions imposed on widow have gradually come to an end.

Widow Remarriage has been made legal. Traditionally it was regarded that purity and impurity were associated with day-to-day life. The traditional ideas of purity have given place to rules of hygiene.

The various aspects of Indian social life most affected by the process of secularisation are discussed below.

1. Decline in the Concept of Purity and Pollution:

To understand and evaluate the process of secularisation and its impact on social change in modern India, we have to take into account the traditional values of purity and pollution So that we may know the difference between the traditional system and the modern Traditionally, purity was given an important place in the life of an individual and also in public life.

The concept of purity included the purity of body and mind, and development of spiritualism and a life of sacredness. Any person who violated the principles of purity was considered as impure and had to undergo certain rituals to purify himself so that he could become a member of the society and could lead a normal life. Under the impact of secularisation, there are profound changes in Hindu society regarding purity and pollution.

(a) Caste System:

The traditional Hindu society was divided into four castes. The untouchables were not included in the four-fold division of the society. On the basis of the concept of purity and pollution, social distance was maintained between the four castes.

If a high caste person came in contact with a person of low caste, he became polluted and impure. Many actions are regarded as impure; in particular if a high caste person does actions reserved for the low castes, he will get stained by impurity. Similarly, the sentiment of untouchability is linked with this feeling of impurity. As a result of the process of secularisation, the traditional concepts of purity and pollution have declined in these aspects.

(b) Restriction of lnterdining:

In traditional Hindu society, many restrictions were imposed on the high caste people regarding interdining. If a person of a high caste started eating meat and drinking wine, he became impure and had to undergo purificatory rites. Due to secularisation, restrictions on dining have disappeared.

(c) Occupational Purity:

Traditionally, some occupations were regarded as pure and some as impure. For example, those castes which worked with their hands were regarded as impure because they had to touch dirty things. Therefore, high caste people were forbidden to do dirty works so that they may not become impure. The traditional idea of purity and pollution associated with occupation has declined. Now people of all castes are taking to all types of occupations.

(d) Purity in day-to-day life:

Traditionally purity and pollution were associated with day-to-day life. For example, a person was not allowed to shave on Tuesday and Thursday. A woman was considered impure while menstruating and the food cooked by her was considered impure. A person coming into contact with the Barber was supposed to become impure. Under the impact of secularization, the concept of purity and pollution has declined. Now-a-days a menstruating woman freely moves everywhere and does all the household duties. She is no longer considered impure.

In the twenty first century we find that the traditional concepts of purity and impurity and the restrictions imposed on individual by tradition are declining. The English educated young men and women are averse to considering anything pure or impure merely because of religious sanction. Now the criterion of pure and impure is not religious scripture but the rules of hygiene. ,

2. Decline in the Rituals of Life Cycles:

Traditionally, we find in Hindu society that many rituals have been associated with the life cycles. A person has to go through these rituals from birth to death. As a result of the process of secularisation, the life cycle rituals are coming to an end. The important rituals which are now declining may be mentioned in the following manner:

(a) Name giving Ceremony:

Traditionally, we find that a Pandit was invited at the time of birth of a child who prepared his horoscope. Similarly, the Pandit gave a particular name to the child on the basis of the position of his stars. In this manner, a person had to have two names. First, the name given at birth by the Pandit and second, the name by which he was addressed in public life. Now-a-days the traditional name giving ceremony has come to an end.

(b) Upanayana Samskara:

It is believed that every Hindu is a Sudra at the time of birth and he becomes pure only after the Upanayana Samskara. Therefore, he is called a twice- born; first, it is the physical birth and second, the life which starts after the initiation ceremony. As a result of the process of secularisation, modern Hindus have ignored this important ceremony of purification.

(c) Vidyarambha Samskara:

Traditionally, the education of a Hindu child started only after Vidyarambha Samskara and a priest was called to initiate the child in process of education. Now no Vidyarambha Samskara is performed and people started the education the child as soon as he can move about in the houses. Apart from this, modern education has be cm secular. In this manner, the important Samskara of educates come to a 5 dine and this is the result of the process of secularisation in modern India

(d) Marriage Ceremony:

Traditionally Hindu marriage was regarded as a religious sacrament and a person could enter into matrimony only after going through certain rituals. Now as a result of the process of secularisation, the institution of marriage is no longer regarded religious. On the one hand, some people a-e getting married through the court and on the other hand, even those persons who are getting married through Vedic rites have cut down the elaborate marriage rites and rituals as a result of secularization.

(e) To start a Business:

Traditionally, it was considered necessary to rites and rituals before a person started any business. Now as a result of the process or Secularisation these rites and rituals as ceremonies connected with the starting of business have come to a decline.

(f) Status of Women:

Traditionally it was regarded that a woman should follow the wishes’ of her husband because he was equal to God. As a result of the conception of Pati Parmeshwar the wife ate only when her husband had eaten and slept only when her husband had’ slept. Now, owing to secularisation, these rules are no longer followed.

(g) Religious Rites:

Sandhya and Upasna: It was the duty of every householder to perform puja five to seven times in the day and only then his day became reasonably good. As a result of secularisation, the daily worship has been cut short and some people do no worship at all.

(h) Religious Functions:

Traditionally, a lot of money and time was spent on religious ceremonies and functions but as a result of process of secularisation, religious actives ties have come to a decline. Even it a person goes to a place of worship or pilgrimage first of all he tries to find out a suitable place to stay in a dharamshala or a hotel and then a one he goes for darshan. In this manner, the feeling of religiosity is considered unimportant.

(i) Foreign Travel:

Previously foreign travel was prohibited on grounds of religion and the concept of purity and pollution played an important role in hindering foreign travel. As a result of the process of secularisation, this is no longer so and hose people who go abroad have no longer to undergo purifactory rites to become ritually clean.

Thus it can be seen that the rites and rituals connected with the life cycle of an individual ‘are undergoing important changes. We are moving from religiosity to a secular way of life Changes are taking place in the status of widows, marriage institutions and attitude towards education.


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