Ancient Indian society has always been a symbol of harmonious culture, where religion was not a cause of conflict but an integral part of life. People worshiped nature, revered trees, rivers, mountains, and living beings as divine entities. The colors of Holi, the lamps of Diwali, and the year-round festivals reflected a society filled with joy and harmony. This raises an important question—if there was no religious conflict in India, why was secularism needed?
Ancient India: When Religion Was Not a Cause of Conflicthttps://babaganja.com/
From the Vedic era to the rise of Buddhism and Jainism, religion was never seen as a tool of power. Kings respected all religions—Ashoka promoted Buddhism but also protected other faiths. Chandragupta Maurya adopted Jainism, but never imposed it on state policy. Although a class system (varna system) existed in society, it was not perceived as religious conflict.
When and Why Did Religious Conflicts Begin?
Religious identity-based power struggles in India began with foreign invasions.
- Islamic Rule: The Delhi Sultanate and Mughal rule linked religion with power. Akbar embraced religious tolerance, but Aurangzeb promoted religious fanaticism.
- Christian Missionaries: The arrival of the Portuguese and British intensified religious conversion activities, increasing social tensions.
- British ‘Divide and Rule’ Policy: The British divided Hindus and Muslims into separate groups to maintain political control. They conducted religious-based censuses and introduced communal electoral systems, giving political significance to religious identities.
The Birth of Modern Secularism: 17th and 18th Centuries
While religious wars continued in Europe, a new ideology emerged—the necessity of separating the state from religion.
- Treaty of Westphalia (1648): This treaty ended religious wars in Europe and established the principle that states should not interfere in each other’s religious affairs.
- John Locke (1632–1704): This philosopher advocated religious tolerance and argued that the state should not control religious beliefs.
- Enlightenment Thinkers: Philosophers like Voltaire and Rousseau promoted rationality over religion and supported the separation of church and state.
- American and French Revolutions: The U.S. Constitution (1787) and the French Revolution (1789) rejected religious rule and established secular governments.
Why Was Secularism Needed in Independent India?
When India gained independence in 1947, it witnessed the horrors of religious riots and partition. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Nehru, and Ambedkar realized that if the state favored any one religion, maintaining social peace would be difficult. Hence, secularism was included in the Indian Constitution to ensure that—
- All religions had equal rights.
- The state did not give special preference to any one religion.
- Citizens were free to follow their faiths.
It is important to note that Indian secularism differs from that of Western countries. In the West, secularism means a complete separation of religion and state (as in France), whereas in India, it means equal recognition of all religions, with the state remaining neutral.
Is Religion the Root Cause of Conflict?
Religion, in its purest form, is not a cause of conflict. All religions preach peace, compassion, and morality. However, history shows that power-hungry individuals have used religion to rally people behind them.
- In medieval Europe, the Church allied with monarchs to control people.
- The Crusades (1096–1291) were labeled as Christian-Muslim conflicts, but they were more about economic and political control.
- The Partition of India (1947) was presented as a religious conflict, but British policies and political ambitions were the real driving forces.
Conclusion: The Real Problem Is Not Religion, but the Hunger for Power
Religion was never the root of conflict; rather, those seeking power have used it for their own gain.
- Kings and politicians have used religion as a tool for dominance.
- Colonial rulers exploited it to divide society.
- Modern leaders incite religious sentiments to build vote banks.
The problem lies not in religion itself, but in its politicization and use as a tool for power struggles. If society understands that religion is meant for spiritual growth and social harmony, then conflict would not be necessary. The true purpose of religion is not division, but unity and peace.
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/06/29/religion-in-india-tolerance-and-segregation/
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/06/29/religion-in-india-tolerance-and-segregation/
