In modern times the term 'Secularism' was used by G.H. Holyoak in his book Principles of Secularism in 1859 to denote social ethics based on natural morality, but independent of revealed religion and supernaturalism. Since then it has been interpreted in a variety of ways by scholars and thinkers all over the world in accordance with the varied prevailing socio-political situations and cultural contexts of the major social groups of the world. In India, secularism has come to assume a wide range of meanings and interpretations from anti-religion and irreligion to sarva-dharma-sambhava.
Secularism is ingrained in the socio-political texture of Indian society, which is multi-religious in its dimensions and in it all the major religions of the world as well as minor religious societies co-exist peacefully. In fact, secularism is an invigorating factor of Indian democracy, the largest in the world, and in spite of stray attempts to undermine its importance, its spirit is gaining in strength and unavoidability.
A secular state should not have any particular religion as state religion nor should it seek either to promote or interfere with any religion. The state should deal with the individual as a citizen, irrespective of his religion and it should guarantee freedom to follow any religion. While solving the problems of social welfare and social progress, the decisions on such issues will proceed on secular, rational and scientific grounds. A religion should function within a limited sphere and leave the state to carry on its activities without any hindrance from religion. Fundamentalism and religious fanaticism have no place in a secular state. Secularism derives its strength from reason, experience, pragmatism and individual freedom and it aims at social and material progress of man in the world. It promotes social and religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence of various religious groups in the society. A secular state draws its strength from the principles of justice, equality, liberty and fraternity.
Secularism is a dynamic concept and also a way of life which seeks to bring about a new social order in which religious and communal harmony, socio-political and economic justice and freedom of mind are provided complete opportunity to grow and develop, which is possible only by creating a new consciousness in the society.
The present book is a collection of papers contributed by eminent scholars of Indian Universities and few others written from various points of view and on wide range of problems for a National Seminar organised by Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur with financial assistance from the University Grants Commission, New Delhi. I, therefore; commend it to all such students who are interested in the study of secularism.
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Mahatma Gandhi (372)
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