What was the indian government to …

In terms of religions of India with significant populations, only Islam has religious laws in form of sharia which India allows as Muslim Personal Law. Secularism in India, thus, does not mean separation of religion from state. Instead, secularism in India means a state that is neutral to all religious groups. 

Secularism is a concept applied to governance. It can't be promoted. It can only be practiced by the state, and not the individuals by its very own definition.

But our constitution is not really secular, rather it's plural. The moment states puts a finger on religions, it stops being secular. Our constitution provides for government to reform hindus, Sikhs, jains and Buddhists and at the same time discriminates hindus from having their own religious institutions to preserve, protect and promote their faith. That's not really secular. In USA where secularism is truly practised, all religions are given equal rights to have their own institutions unlike India's.