SECULARISM
Secularism is primarily a philosophy or doctrine that advocates for the separation of religion and state, ensuring that the government doesn’t favour any religion or interfere in religious matters. The idea gains importance in the context of inter-religious domination, where one religious group exercises undue influence or control over others. This aspect of secularism aims to prevent such dominations by ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their religious identity, have equal rights and are protected by the state.
The examples of the Sikh massacres in 1984, the forced migration of Kashmiri Pandits, and the violence against Muslims in Gujarat in 2002, are instances of inter-religious domination. In these cases, members of one religious community were targeted and discriminated against. This denies them basic freedoms and can even be termed religious persecution. Secularism is intended to prevent such scenarios by ensuring that the state does not condone or participate in such discrimination.
Secularism is not only concerned with discrimination between different religious groups but also with ‘intra-religious domination’. This refers to the hierarchies and discriminations that exist within religious communities. For instance, in Hinduism, Dalits have been traditionally discriminated against and have been barred from entering temples. The conservative factions within religions often exert disproportionate influence and are intolerant of dissent, as seen in cases of religious fundamentalism in parts of the U.S.
Secularism aims to combat this form of domination as well. It advocates for a state that ensures freedom and equality not just between different religious groups but also within them. It thus challenges both inter-religious and intra-religious domination.
A secular state is one that is committed to ensuring that neither form of religious domination occurs within its jurisdiction. It aims to promote freedom within religions and equality both within and between religions. The state should thus be neutral in matters of religion, ensuring that no religious group is either favoured or discriminated against.