The secular state tradition in India is strong and very much alive in the capital Delhi. This freedom to practice any religion dates back hundreds of years. What can we learn from India? And how is this tradition governed today?

Delhi is located in the Northern part of India.

+Religious diversity in India

India is characterised by a diversity of religious beliefs and practices. The Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of 4 of the world’s major religions; Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.

Religious diversity and practice is protected by the law. The Constitution of India refers to freedom of religion as a fundamental right and to India as a secular state.

The vast majority of the population practice Hinduism, followed by Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism and Jainism.

At a ceremonial level - If you look at the central avenue, the Chandni Chowk, going back 350 years. You can hear the azan from the mosque. You can hear the tempel bells from the Hindu tempels and the hymns from the churches and the worship of Godavari Maha.

+Secularism in the Indian constitution

1. Grants equality before the law and equal protection of the laws to all

2. Enlarges the concept of secularism to the widest possible extent by prohibiting discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.

3. Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of any religion.

4. Freedom to manage religious affairs.

5. Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion.

6. Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions.

7. Provides cultural and educational rights to the minorities.

8. Fundamental Duties obliges all the citizens to promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood and to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite diverse culture.

Secularism is among the basic principles of India’s constitution. It includes protection agains discrimination on the basis of religion and freedom to practice ones religion.

People in India have so many markers - one of these is religion. But when you reduce a private concern to a public one you lose out on something.

We all think we know what it means to be a Muslim, a Christian or a Jain. But we are not so sensitive to the various layers that have gone into the lived religion, which has been borrowed from a common pool.

The religious diversity we find in Delhi reflects the diversity in India as a whole.

In December 2019, the Government of India passed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), that stirred controversy and protests across India. Protesters referred to the secular constitution of India.

Peaceful and creative demonstrations were carried out in Delhi against what was perceived as a threat to the secular constitution of India.

Religious diversity is expressed in the public space and religious practice is a part of the everyday life.

It is not just the large temples and the mosques but also the small shrines by the roadside which gives people solace - where they can stop and pause for a little while.

This is why a place like Delhi is known by the name Hazirat Delhi - the holy city of Delhi.

The marigold flower is used in the practice of many different religious traditions in India.

The marigold flower is used in the Hindu religion but also in Christianity and other minority religions in India.

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Questions for reflection

How is religious diversity visible in your local community? I.e. places of worship (buildings and shrines) festivals, clothing, food, music etc.

How do you get to know about other religions in your local community? I.e. teaching in schools, through friends and family, by visiting other religious buildings etc.