Short and Long Answers - Understanding Secularism | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. What examples does history provide us on the grounds of religion? 

Ans: History provides numerous examples of unfair treatment and harm based on religion. Key instances include:

• Persecution: Many religious groups have faced violence and discrimination.
• Exclusion: Certain communities have been marginalised due to their beliefs.
• Conflicts: Wars and disputes have often been rooted in religious differences.

These historical events highlight the significant impact of religion on social dynamics.

Discrimination on the grounds of Religion

Q2. What happened in the Jewish state of Israel?

Ans: Muslim and Christian minorities in Israel have faced significant challenges. Their treatment has included:

• Discrimination in various aspects of life.
• Limited access to resources and opportunities.
• Social and political marginalisation.

These issues reflect broader tensions within the region.

Q3. How are non-Muslims treated in Saudi Arabia? [V. Imp.]

Ans: In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims face several restrictions regarding their religious practices:

• Religious buildings: Non-Muslims are not permitted to construct temples, churches, or similar places of worship.
• Public gatherings: They cannot assemble in public spaces for prayers.

These limitations reflect the country's strict adherence to Islamic law.

Q4. What does the term ‘secularism’ refer to?

Ans: The term secularism refers to:

• The separation of religion from the State.
• Ensuring that governmental decisions are made without religious influence.
• Promoting a society where individuals are free to practice any religion or none at all.

Q5. What do you mean by ‘freedom to interpret’? [Imp.] 

Ans: Freedom to interpret refers to an individual's right to shape their own understanding and meaning of their religion.

Q6. Why cannot government schools celebrate religious festivals?

Ans: Government schools cannot celebrate religious festivals due to the following reasons:

• It may violate the government's policy of equal treatment of all religions.
• Celebrating specific festivals might make some students feel excluded or uncomfortable.
• Maintaining a neutral environment helps promote inclusivity among diverse student backgrounds.

Q7. Why is Paramjit allowed to drive in Pagri?

Ans: Paramjit is allowed to drive in Pagri because:

• He is a Sikh youth.
• Wearing a pagri is a significant aspect of his religious identity.

Q8. How is Indian secularism different from that of American secularism?

Ans: Unlike Indian secularism, American secularism features a strict separation of religion and the State. Key differences include:

• In the US, the government cannot endorse or favour any religion.
• Indian secularism allows for some government interaction with religious institutions.
• American secularism emphasises individual freedom from religion, while Indian secularism promotes coexistence of multiple faiths.
• In India, the State may intervene in religious matters to uphold equality and protect minority rights.

Q9. What is meant by ‘principled distance’? [V. Imp.] 

Ans: Principled distance refers to the notion that the State's involvement in religion must align with the principles established in the Constitution.

• Interference should be justified by constitutional ideals.
• It emphasises a careful balance between State authority and religious freedom.
• Maintains the integrity of both the State and religious institutions.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why is it important to separate religion from the State? Explain with examples. [Old NCERT]

Ans: There are two main reasons why the separation of religion from the state is important:

• Prevention of Religious Domination:

  Separation helps to avoid one religion dominating others. In most countries, there are multiple religious groups, often with one being a majority. If this majority group holds state power, it may use this influence to discriminate against or persecute minority religions, violating their fundamental rights.

• Protection of Individual Freedom:

  It safeguards individuals' rights to change their faith or interpret religious teachings differently. For example, the practice of untouchability within Hinduism demonstrates this. If those who support untouchability held state power, it would be challenging to abolish such practices.

Q2. What are the three objectives of a secular State? [V. Imp.]

Ans: The three objectives of a secular State are:

• Equality: No religious community should dominate another.
• Inclusivity: Individual members within the same religious community must not dominate each other.
• Neutrality: The State should not enforce any specific religion or restrict individuals' religious freedoms.

Q3. Explain with an example that in Indian secularism, the State can intervene in religious affairs.

Ans: An important aspect of India's secularism is that the State can intervene in religious affairs.

Example: The practice of untouchability involved upper-caste Hindus dominating lower-caste members of the same religion. This led to severe discrimination and exclusion.

• To combat this issue, the Indian Constitution explicitly banned untouchability.
• This action demonstrates the State's role in addressing social injustices rooted in religious practices.
• By intervening, the State aimed to protect the Fundamental Rights of lower castes.

Q4. What is secularism? [Imp.]

Ans: Secularism is a key principle in the Indian Constitution that ensures the protection of Fundamental Rights. These rights safeguard individuals against the power of the State and the oppression of the majority.

Key aspects of secularism in India include:

• Freedom for individuals to follow their own religious beliefs and practices.
• Ensuring religious freedom for all citizens.
• Separating the influence of religion from the authority of the State.

This separation is essential for maintaining a democratic society where every individual has the right to their beliefs without interference from the government.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. In what different ways does the Indian State work to prevent religious domination? [V. Imp.] [Old NCERT]

Ans:

Indian secularism works in various ways to prevent religious domination:

• Distancing from religion: The Indian State is not governed by any religious group and does not endorse any one religion. Public institutions like law courts, police stations, government schools, and offices are required to remain neutral and not promote a specific religion.
• Non-interference: To respect the sentiments of all religions, the state avoids interfering with religious practices. For instance, the Sikh community considers wearing a pagri essential, and the government cannot mandate wearing a helmet while riding a two-wheeler if it conflicts with their beliefs.
• Intervention: The state intervenes to combat discrimination within religions, such as the practice of untouchability. The Constitution has banned untouchability to protect the rights of lower castes, demonstrating the state's role in addressing practices that violate Fundamental Rights.