2. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their
religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Answer
The government in any democratic nation would intervene if some religious group
says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide because this
tradition goes against the Fundamental Right to Life. It involves the killing of
an innocent and is, hence, unacceptable. The government, in this case,
interferes by coercion. However, sometimes, the government may also intervene
via support. For example, Sikhs in Delhi are excused from wearing helmets on
two-wheelers because their religion demands them to wear a turban-a sacred
tradition for them.
3. Complete the following table:
Objective
Why is this important?
Example of a violation of this objective
One religious community does not dominate another.
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the
religious freedom of individuals.
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious
community.
Answer
(a) This is important to protect the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion.
Example of violation:
the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on 6th December, 1992 by Hindu
nationalists.
(b) This is important to uphold the ideals of a democratic nation which allows
its citizens freedom to
choose whichever religion they wish to follow.
Example: France, in February 2004, banned headscarves and turbans in public
places, thereby hurting the sentiments of Muslim and Sikh minorities.
(c) This is necessary to uphold individual freedom in the light of pressure from
a group or religious
community that one belongs to.
Example, the Christian community is divided into Protestants and Catholics;
Irish Catholics are looked down upon and troubled by the officials of the Church
of England who are pre-dominantly Protestants.
4. Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them
pertain to different
religions? What does this indicate?
Answer
Many holidays on a school's annual calendar pertain to different religions. This
indicates that India is a secular country where religious freedom is granted to
its citizens and all religions are equally respected.
5. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.
Answer
Among Muslims, many people believe in ‘Parda system’, whereas many do not
approve of it & see it as interference in the freedom of women.
6. The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in
religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class
using examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come up
with.
Answer
→ The Indian State distances itself from the religion and it is not rules by a
religious group & nor does it support any one religion.
→ Equal respect is given to all the religions. In order to prevent domination by
one particular community, the state may interfere in the religion.
→ State may interfere in the religion to ensure that all the religions are
treated equally.
→ Sometimes, the State may have to intervene in the religion based on ‘personal
laws’ of the communities to ensure that laws relating to equal inheritance are
protected.
7. This poster alongside highlights the need for 'Peace'. It says, “Peace is
a neverending process... It
cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests.” Write in
your own words what you
think the above sentences are trying to convey? How does it relate to the
need for religious tolerance?
This chapter had three drawings on religious tolerance made by students of
your age.
Design your own poster on religious tolerance for your peers.
Answer
‘Peace is a never-ending process. It cannot ignore our differences or overlook
our common interests.’
The above sentences say that for all the communities to stay together, it is
very important that each
religious community should respect the other, their interests & their
religious practices. We should not feel bound by any law that we need to respect
the other religion, whereas, we should work towards decreasing the differences
amongst religious communities & work towards brining peace in the society as
a civilized society. Only then, we will be able to enjoy the co-existence of
different religious in the society.