Addressing Vote Bank Politics
Critics suggest that secularism fosters vote bank politics, exploiting minority communities for electoral gains. While politicians seeking votes is inherent in democracy, the real issue lies in whether these actions prioritize group welfare or perpetuate injustice.
Effective secular governance ensures equitable representation and welfare without marginalizing any group.
Class 11 Polity Chapter 8: Criticisms of Indian Secularism
Indian secularism faces significant criticism, with some arguing it is anti-religious or threatens religious identity. However, the essence of secularism lies in opposing institutionalized religious domination, not religion itself.
By promoting religious freedom and equality, secularism safeguards diverse religious identities while challenging harmful ideologies like extremism and exclusivism.