'Secularism' has remained weak ideology in India. Critically examine.

As a policy, it has been adopted in Constitution in Article 25, 26, 27 under fundamental rights. and our politico-administrative structure are secular in principle. But our society has not accepted secularism as an ideology. Hence presence of a secular polity in a communally divided society poses host of challenges.

Contrary to the Western concept, Indian shade of secularism is based on "Sarva Dharma Sambhav".

In doing so, the state deserves the right to intervene in case the dynamic forces or prejudices in religion over-shadow constitutional morals.

Amartya Sen explains that Nationalism in India borders religious revivalism of the majority. This in turn harms the secular fabric of the country and prevents emergence of a consolidated entity.

Political discourses have tried to exploit the cleavages based on religion and the overlapping socio-economic deprivations / disparities to yield potential gains.

Due to these conditions, the debate on secularism, never touches on the secularisation aspect in public life and consequent quest for modernity.

Nevertheless, Liberal Secularism based on Nehru's idea that freedom not only to pursue own religion but also to those who don't have any religion, forms our ethos.

Modernisation and Urbanisation are wiping out the communal differences albeit slowly. Campaigns against Ghettoisation of communities are coming up. Tolerance for Indians living in a multicultural society is not only a pragmatic concept for harmony but also a philosophical one to find truth in all religions.