Published Paper Details:

Secularism is a concept that has been widely debated and discussed in India. The country's unique brand of secularism has evolved over time and is distinct from the Western model. India's secularism is based on the principles of religious freedom in personal life and the exclusion of religion from public life. The goal of secularism in India is to create a society that respects and protects the rights of all individuals, regardless of their religious beliefs, and promotes equality and fairness for all. India's decision to adopt secularism was influenced by its diverse ethnic makeup, which it was believed was necessary for the survival of the Indian state. Secularism was intended to address the issue of religious and ethnic pluralism by uniting India and drawing inspiration from the concept of modernity. Despite this equality, secularism has confronted resistance both within and outside India. External challenges emanate from Pakistan, while internal challenges stem from religiously motivated ethnic groups, such as Hindus, Sikhs, and Muslims, as well as specific regions within India, like Kashmir. These groups and regions pose a threat to secularism and federalism through their secessionist or separatist aspirations, which are partly rooted in religion but also have political, economic, social, and cultural implications for the affected regions.