Secularism and The role of teacher Vidyanand Khandagale Asst. Professor, Dept. of Education, Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004.

Roots of Secularism Secularism draws its intellectual roots from Greek and Roman philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Epicurus, medieval Muslim polymaths such as Ibn Rushd, Enlightenment thinkers like Denis Diderot, Voltaire, John Locke, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine, and modern freethinkers, agnostics and atheists such as Bertrand Russell and Robert Ingersoll. Ref. www.wikipedia.org

The word secular is derived from the late Latin sacularis which meant, among other things, 'that which belongs to this world, non-spiritual, temporal as opposed to spiritual or ecclesiastical thing'. It is a form applied in general to the separation of state politics or administration from religious matters, and 'secular education.' is a system of training from which religious teaching is definitely excluded. Secularism which bean as a protest movement in the West, was a by-product of the chartist movement.

The relation of secularism to religion was defined as 'mutually exclusive rather than hostile'. Neither theism nor atheism enters into the secularist scheme because neither provable by experience. The term secularism was coined in 1850 by G.J. Molyoake (an Owenite Socialist, an atheist and the last person to be imprisoned for blasphemy in Britian), who saw it a movement , which provided an alternative to theism. historically, secularism intermingled with and was at its best with atheism. Atheists like Charles Bradluagh, Charles Watts, G.E. Forte were closely associated with the movement. Bradlaugh argued that secularism was bound to contest theistic belief and that material progress was impossible, so long as superstitions born out of religious beliefs and practices remained a powerful force in society.

George Jacob Holyoake (1817–1906), British writer who coined the term "secularism.

Philosophically, the term reveals the influence of positivism and utilitarianism. 'Positivism supplied a conception of knowledge affording a basis upon which it was held that religious considerations could be ruled out and utilitarianism lent itself to a non-religious explanation of the motives and ends of conduct'

Secularism is the belief that government or other entities should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs. In one sense, secularism may assert the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and the right to freedom from governmental imposition of religion upon the people within a state that is neutral on matters of belief. In another sense, it refers to the view that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be unbiased by religious influence.

Characteristics of Secular society Among the first to delineate the nature of a secular society, D. L. Munby characterizes a secular society as one which: Refuses to commit itself as a whole to any one view of the nature of the universe and the role of man in it. Is not homogenous, but is pluralistic. Is tolerant. It widens the sphere of private decision-making. While every society must have some common aims, which implies there must be agreed on methods of problem-solving, and a common framework of law; in a secular society these are as limited as possible. Problem solving is approached rationally, through examination of the facts. While the secular society does not set any overall aim, it helps its members realize their aims. Is a society without any official images. Nor is there a common ideal type of behavior with universal application

Positive Ideals behind the Secular Society Deep respect for individuals and the small groups of which they are a part. Equality of all people. Each person should be helped to realize their particular excellence. Breaking down of the barriers of class and caste.

The concept of secularism as embodied in the Constitution of India cannot be viewed in the sense in which it is viewed in the West, but in the context of the following provisions of the Constitution: the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience, freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion and also freedom to establish religious institutions and manage or administer their affairs. It prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion and guarantees legal and so, equality to all by providing equality before law and equal protection of laws, prohibiting discrimination with regard to places of public importance and providing for equal opportunity in matters of public employment. The Constitution also guarantees religious minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice and to conserve their script, language and culture

The basic outlines of the secularism is enshrined in the following Articles of the Constitution: 1. Preamble: It is true that the word 'secular' did not first occur either in Article 25 or 26 or in any other Article or Preamble of the Constitution.l3y the Constitution (42nd Amendment) Act, 1976, the Preamble was amended and for the words 'Sovereign Democratic Republic' the words 'Sovereign, socialist, secular, Democratic Republic' were substituted. 2. No State Religion: There shall be no 'state religion' in India. The state will neither establish a religion of its own nor confer any special patronage upon any particular religion

It follows from that: 1. The state will not compel any citizen to pay any tax for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious institution (Article 27). 2. No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly run by state funds. 3. Even though religious instruction be imparted in educational institutions recognised by state or receiving aid from the state, no person at lending such institution shall be compelled to receive that religious instruction without the consent of himself or of his guardian. In short, while religious instruction is totally banned in state-owned educational institutions, in other denominational institutions it is not totally prohibited but it must not be imposed upon people of other religions without their consent (Article 28).

3. Freedom of Conscience: A very person is guaranteed the freedom of conscience and the freedom to profess, practice and propagate his own religion, subject only: 1. to restrictions imposed by the state on the interest of public order, morality and health (so that the freedom of religion may not be abused to commit crimes or antisocial acts, e.g., to commit the practice of infanticide, and the like); 2. to regulations or restrictions made by state relating, to any economic, financial, political or outer secular activity which may he associated with religious practice, bill do not really related to the freedom of conscience; 3. to measures of social reform and for throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus. Subject to above limitations, a person in India shall have the right not only to entertain any religious belief but also to practice the obligations dictated by such belief, and to preach his see%., to ethers (Article 2Fi )

o Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs: 'liernes not only the fit-0,10m of individual to pro fess, practise and propagate his religion, them is also the right guaranteed to every religious groups or denominations: 1. to establish and maintain institutions (or religious and charitable purposes. 2. to manage its own affairs in matters of religion; 3. to own and acquire movable and immovable property; and 4. to administer such property in accordance with law (Article 26)

Equality Before Law: Article 14 grants equality law and equal protection by the laws to all. Article 15 enlarges the concept of secularism to the widest possible extent prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religions, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Article 16(1) guarantees equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters of public employment and reiterates that there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, descent, place of birth and residence

Cultural and Educational Rights: Under Article 29 and 30 certain cultural and educational rights are guaranteed. Article 29 guarantees the right cf any section of the citizens residing in any part of the country having a distinct language, script or culture of its own and to conserve the same. Article 30 provides that all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice

Role of teacher…