Daily News Analysis

French vs. Indian Secularism

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French vs. Indian Secularism

 

 

Why in the News?

The wearing of abaya dresses (a dress worn by Muslim women) in school is planned to be banned by the French authorities stating that it violated France’s strict secular laws in education. 

  • Women have long been banned from wearing the hijab.
  • A 2004 law banned “the wearing of signs or outfits by which students ostensibly show a religious affiliation” in schools. 

Indian Secularism Vs. French Secularism:

Differences:

S.No

Concept

French Secularism

Indian Secularism
  1.  

Relation between state and religion

Strict separation of religion (church) and state as it considers religion as a purely personal matter of individuals.

Principled Distance between state and religion i.e., the state can interfere to produce reforms or prevent discriminatory religious practices.
  1.  

Freedom of expression vs Religion

It encourages absolute Freedom of expression and a spirit of inquiry giving it an upper hand over religious sentiment. 

There are reasonable restrictions on Freedom of Speech in order to maintain respect of all religions. 
  1.  

Right to Religion

It does not recognize one’s Right to Profess Religion.

Indian Constitution recognizes an individual’s Right to Profess, Propagate, Practice religion as a Fundamental Right. 
  1.  

Support to religions

It is marked by absence of governmental institutions in religion, as well as absence of religion in governmental institutions and schools.

Indian constitution enables providing financial support to religious schools and accepts religious law over governmental institutions.
  1.  

Religion in Public sphere

Public display of religious practices or signs are not allowed as it is considered as a strict private matter.

India recognizes individual and community right to practice religion and express their religious identity in the public sphere. 
  1.  

Minority rights and identity

Cultural assimilation is the basis of the societal aggregation.

Indian Secularism ensures protection of minority rights and enable them to preserve their cultural identity. 
  1.  

Positive discrimination

French model does not recognize the need to protect minorities.

Indian Constitution allows positive discrimination in favour of religious and cultural minorities, such as Article 29 and 30 of the Constitution. 

 

About:

Indian Secularism:

  1. Indian philosophy of secularism is related to “Sarva Dharma Sambhava” meaning destination of the paths followed by all religions is the same, though the paths themselves may be different. This shows an emphasis for equal respect to all religions.
  2. ‘Positive secularism’ that promotes positive reforms to prevent discriminatory religious practices or support religious institutions, reflects the dominant ethos of Indian culture.
  3. Recognition of religious plurality in the country, to achieve peaceful coexistence of different religions.
  4. Protection of religious freedom of individuals along with the religious freedom of minority communities.
  5. The fundamental rights relating to religious are provided in the constitution in Part III of Fundamental rights from Article 25-28.

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