Secularism is not just an ideology …

Communalism was and continues to be one of the major challenges to democracy in our country. The makers of our Constitution were aware of this challenge. That is why they chose the model of a secular state.secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country:

1. There is no official religion for the Indian state.
2. Our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
3. The constitution prohibits discrimination on the ground of religion.
4. At the same time, the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities. For example, it bans untouchability.
5. Communalism should not be seen as a threat to some people in India. It threatens the very idea of India. That is why communalism needs to be combated. A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism.
6. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in everyday life and religion-based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.