Justifying Minority Rights
Critics often accuse secularism of favoring minority rights, labeling it as “minoritism.” Yet, minority rights are essential for safeguarding fundamental interests and ensuring equality for all citizens.
Analogies like the smoking scenario illustrate the importance of protecting minority interests, preventing their marginalization in democratic decision-making processes.
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.