Indian Constitution and Secularism

The Indian Constitution enshrines secularism as one of its fundamental principles. Here are some key provisions and citations related to secularism in the Indian Constitution: 

• Preamble: The Preamble to the Indian Constitution asserts that India is a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic." This makes it clear that secularism is a foundational principle of the Indian state. 
•  Article 25: This article guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. It states that all persons are "equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion." 
• Article 26: This article guarantees the right of every religious denomination to manage its own affairs and to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes. It states that every religious denomination has the right to "establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes; to manage its own affairs in matters of religion." 
• Article 27: This article prohibits the state from compelling any person to pay taxes for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion. It states that "no person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination." 
•  Article 28: This article prohibits the state from providing religious instruction in any educational institution wholly maintained by the state. It states that "no religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of State funds." 
• Article 29: This article guarantees the right of minorities to conserve their language, script, and culture. It states that "any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same." 
• Article 30: This article guarantees the right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice. It states that "all minorities, whether based on religion or language, shall have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice." 

These provisions and citations demonstrate that the Indian Constitution is committed to upholding the principles of secularism and religious freedom. They ensure that all individuals and communities are free to practice their religion without interference from the state, and that minorities are protected and empowered to maintain their distinct identity and culture.