The Indian Constitution and Understanding Secularism

Learning Objectives:-
 To identify the Constitution as the primary source of walls
 To analyze the key features of the Indian Constitution
 To explain the need to separate religion from state
 To evaluate secularism in the Indian Context
1. The ---- to the Constitution of India declares that India is a
secular country.
Ans. Preamble
2. Articles 25 to 28 in the Constitution relate to ----
Ans. Freedom of Religion
3. The ---- is culturally diverse.
Ans. Indian Constitution
4. Which are the key elements of secularism in India?
Ans. The key elements of secularism in India are as follows:
 All religions are equal before law
The Indian State does not have an official religion.
5. Mention the importance of secularism?
 Ans. To ensure democratic functioning of the country.
  To be just and fair to all communities
 To prevent the tyranny of the majority
 To ensure equality of all religions, respect to all religions
and to promote religious tolerance amongst its citizens.
6. Explain Secularism in Indian Constitution?
Ans. Secularism in India means equal treatment of all
religions by the state. With the 42nd Amendment of
the Constitution of India enacted in 1976, the Preamble
to the Constitution asserted that India is a secular
nation. However, neither India's constitution nor its laws
define the relationship between religion and state. With
the 42nd Amendment of the Constitution of India (1976),
the Preamble to the Constitution asserted that India is a
“secular” nation. The meaning of a secular state is
that it does not prioritize any one religion for the
country and its people. Secularism is the belief that
no one should be discriminated on the basis of the
religion he or she practises. Every citizen, irrespective
of which religion he or she follows, is equal in the eyes
of the laws and policies that govern the Nation
7. Explain the features of Indian Constitution?
Ans.
 Federalism:- Federalism is a system of government where
power is divided between the central government and the
state or regional government through a written
constitution. There also exists a system of governance with
a three-tier system in the states at the local level. This is
known as the Panchayati Raj. This system has elected
bodies at the village , the block and the district levels.
 Parliamentary form of Government:- In which
parliamentary form of Government people elect their
representatives. There is a distinction between the Head
of State and the Head of Government. The Head of state
refers to the President of India and the Head of
Government refers to the ruling Government headed by
the Prime minister, along with his or her council of
ministers.
 Three organs of Government and the System of Checks
and Balances:- There are mainly three organs: the
Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. The Executive
is responsible for governance and administration. The
Legislature refers to the members of the Lok Sabha and
the Rajya Sabha. The Judiciary which comprises the
supreme courts, the High courts and the district courts.
 Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles:- The
Fundamental Rights include:
1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies