Revista de Ciências Políticas e Assuntos Públicos
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Contemporary Relevance of the Term Secular In the Preamble

Samika Pachouly

A secular state, in the context of India, means that the State protects all religions equally and does not uphold any religion as the State religion. India became a secular state in the post- independence era, i.e. after becoming independent in 1947. However, even though the Constitution that came in to force with effect from 26 the January, 1950 did not use the word secularism, the Fundamental Rights made the operation visible. In other words, India became a secular state more in spirit than in terms of political ideology. The term “secular” was added to the Preamble of the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment Act, 1976. Both during colonial and post -colonial period, the Indian society has been a traditional society dominated by various customs and tradition with deep religious orientation. The basic aim is to promote fraternity while assuring unity and integrity of the nation along with individual dignity. Fraternity is a very significant tool to combat the divisive factor. Religious harmony is a must to promote fraternity particularly in Indian context. So it's a constitutional mandate upon the state to combat the factors which curtails religious fraternity. It is also incumbent upon the state to take positive as well as negative actions to promote fraternity and the unity and fraternity of the people of India, professing numerous faiths, has been sought to be achieved by enshrining the ideal of a ‘secular state’.