CBSE 8 Polity Ch 2 Understanding Secularism Questions and Answers

Ch 2 – Understanding Secularism Questions and Answers

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Exercise questions & answers

Answer the following questions 

1. List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighbourhood. This could be different forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites, different kinds of religious music and singing etc. Does this indicate freedom of religious practice?
Ans: Different types of religious practice are – 
1. Hinduism
2. Islam
3. Christianity
4. Buddhism
5. Sikhism
Yes, these indicate freedom of religious practice. 

2. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: Yes, the government will stop a group because killing babies is against the law and very wrong. People are free to follow their religion, but they cannot do things that harm others.

3. Complete the following table 

ObjectiveWhy is this important?An Example of a violation of this objective
An example of a violation of this
The State does not enforce
any particular religion nor
take away the religious
freedom of individuals.
Some members do not
dominate other members
of the same religious
community 

Ans:

ObjectiveWhy is this important?An example of a violation of this objective
An example of a violation of this objectiveIt is important for establishing harmony in the society. 1. A Muslim family living among Hindu people in a locality is forbidden to offer namaz. 
2. A Hindu religious procession is not allowed to cross along the road passing through a mosque.
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.It is essential to stabilise the ideals of the Indian Constitution. Demolition of Babri Masjid
Some members do not
dominate other members of the same religious community		It is important to establish equality in the society.Dalits are discouraged from entering a temple. 

4. Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different religions? What does this indicate?
Ans: Holidays in a school calendar for different religions – 

ReligiousHoliday in school
HinduismHoli, Durga puja, Deepawali, Rakhi
IslamId-ul-raha, Id-ul-fitr, Maharam, Eid
ChristianityChristmas, Good Friday
BuddhismBuddha Purnima
SikhismLohri, Guru Gobind Singh jayanti, Guru parav 

This indicates that our school gives holidays for different religions to show respect, equality, and peace to all students.

5. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion. 
Ans: People in the same religion have different beliefs or praying. For example, in Hinduism, some pray to Shiva, and others pray to Vishnu. In Islam, some are Sunni, and others are Shia. In Christianity, some are Catholic, and others are Protestant. This shows people practice their religion in different traditions. 

6. The Indian State both keeps away from religion as well as intervenes in religion. This idea can be quite confusing. Discuss this once again in class using examples from the chapter as well as those that you might have come up with. 
Ans: The Indian government doesn’t help one religion but it stops unfair things, like untouchability

7. Image

This poster alongside highlights the need for “Peace’. It says, “Peace is a never-ending process….It cannot ignore our differences or overlook our common interests.” 
Write in your own words what you think the above sentences are trying to convey. How does it relate to the need for religious tolerance?

 Ans: This poster talks about bringing peace to everyone. It says peace takes time and needs effort, we should respect our differences and focus on what we share. It is very important to respect all religions for peace.

Additional questions and answers

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Multiple choice questions & answers (MCQ) 

1. Which one is a correct statement about Saudi Arabia?
(a) Non-Muslims can gather in a public place for prayer. 
(b) They cannot build a temple, church, etc. 
(c) They can live in their own way. 
(d) None of the above

Ans: (b) They cannot build a temple, church, etc.

2. What is it called when religion and government are kept separate?
(a) Monarchy
(b) Democracy
(c) Secularism
(d) Republic

Ans: (c) Secularism

3. Who allows all citizens to practice their own religion?
(a) Government
(b) Indian Constitution
(c) Municipal Authority 
(d) President

Ans: (b) Indian constitution

4. The most important aspect of secularism is its 
(a) Separation of religion from State power
(b) Separation of politics from religion
(c) Separation of one community from another 
(d) Mixing of religion with State power

Ans: (a) Separation of religion from State power.

5. 2nd October celebrated – 
(a) Christmas
(b) Good Friday
(c) Children’s day
(d) Gandhi Jayanti

Ans: (d) Gandhi jayanti

6. The government cannot force Sikhs to wear a helmet while driving two-wheelers because 
(a) Sikhs are very powerful 
(b) They do not obey government rules 
(c) They look handsome in Pagri
(d) Wearing a pagri is an important rule for the Sikh religion.

Ans: (d) Wearing a pagri is an important rule for the Sikh religion. 

7. In American secularism, there is a
(a) Strict separation between religion and the State
(b) Loose separation between religion and the State 
(c) Strict mingling of religion with the State 
(d) The strict rule that contracts all religions

Ans: (a) Strict separation between religion and the State

8. Which country does not allow non-Muslims to build their places of worship?
(a) India
(b) Saudi Arabia
(c) Pakistan
(d) France

Ans: (b) Saudi Arabia

9. _____________ is the following fundamental right of people. 
(a) Right to freedom of religion
(b) Right to property
(c) Right to work
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Right to freedom of religion

10. What children cannot do in the government schools?
(a) Celebrate any national festival 
(b) Celebrate any religious festival 
(c) Sing national song 
(d) Sing national anthem

Ans: (b) Celebrate any religious festival

11. In a secular state, one religion does not ______________ another. 
(a) Support
(b) Harm
(c) Follow
(d) Resist

Ans: (b) Harm

12. In February 2004, which country ruled the wearing of political signs by the students?
(a) France
(b) India
(c) America
(d) Pakistan

Ans: (a) France

13. When the majority unfairly dominates, it can cause ___________towards religious minorities.
(a) Education
(b) Discrimination
(c) Freedom
(d) Prejudices

Ans: (b) Discrimination

14. What does the U.S. legislature not allow regarding religion?
(a) Making new gender laws
(b) Making new reservation laws
(c) Making new religious laws
(d) Making new educational laws

Ans: (c) Making new religious laws

15. What does the term “coercion” mean?
(a) Using force in a legal way
(b) Using force by someone in authority
(c) Using force for good reasons
(d) Forcing someone through threats or pressure

Ans: (d) Forcing someone through threats or pressure.

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Fill in the blanks

1. The intervention of the State can also be in the form of ______________________. 
2. The Indian State is not ruled by _____________ group and nor does it__________ any one religion.
3. The state can also support during _____________________. 
4. A country should function _____________________. 
5. In the United States of America, most children in government schools have to begin their school day reciting the ‘Pledge of ____________________. 
6. Secularism regards detachment of religion from the ________________________.
7. Government schools don’t celebrate __________________ festivals on the premises.
8. No religious group can rule India as its _________________ India is a country of multiple religions. 
9. Secularism means the government treats all religions _________________. 
10. Protection from women’s domestic violence laws was introduced in France in__________________. 

Ans: 
1. Support
2. Religious, support
3. Emergencies.
4. Democratically
5. Allegiance
6. State
7. Religion
8. Constitution.
9. Equally
10. 2010

True or False

1. In Indian secularism the State is not strictly separate from religion. 
Ans: True.

2. In Indian secularism, the State cannot intervene in religion. 
Ans: False

3. Secularism means the government treats all religions divided. 
Ans: False.

4. Wearing a pagri is central to a Sikh’s religious practice.
Ans: True. 

5. People can’t celebrate his religious festival. 
Ans: False. 

6. Government schools can promote any one religion.
Ans: False.

7. The government favours one religion. 
Ans: False.

8. The Indian Constitution does not grant religious communities the right to set up schools and colleges.
Ans: False. 

9. In February 2004, France made a law.
Ans: True. 

10. Indian secularism is the same as other countries.
Ans: False.

→ Click for Understanding Secularism Notes

Match following

Column AColumn B
(i) The Indian state(a) Abolished
(ii) The force used by a legal authority (b) Skull cap
(iii) The practice of untouchability(c) Secular
(iv) Jews(d) Headscraf
(v) Muslims(e) Hindu festival 
(vi) Holi (f) Coercion

Ans: 

Column AColumn B
(i) The Indian state(c) Secular
(ii) The force used by a legal authority(f) Coercion
(iii) The practice of untouchability(a) Abolished
(iv) Jews(b) Skull cap
(v) Muslims(d) Headscraf
(vi) Holi(e) Hindu festival

Short questions & answers 

1. Meaning of secularism.
Ans: Secularism means the government treats all religions equally and ensures everyone has the freedom to follow any religion or choose not to follow any religion.

2. What events or situations have occurred in the Jewish state of Israel?
Ans. Israel was founded in 1948 as a homeland for Jewish people. Since then, it has faced wars, worked for peace, and made progress in technology, science, and farming.

3. What examples does history provide us on the grounds of religion? 
Ans. History provides us with many examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion.

4. How are non-Muslims treated in Saudi Arabia? 
Ans. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build temples, churches etc. They also cannot gather in a public place for prayers.

5. What is the importance of secularism? Give one example.
Ans: Freedom: Secularism ensures that everyone is treated equally, no matter what religion they follow.

6. What is the meaning of untouchability?
Ans: Untouchability means discriminating against people and excluding them based on their caste, particularly in the Indian context.

7. Why is important to separate religion from the state?
Ans: Separating religion from the state allows people to follow any religion freely, and the government treats all citizens equally, promoting peace and democracy in the country.

8. What do you mean by freedom to interpret?
Ans: Freedom to interpret means giving the right people to understand and explain beliefs in their own way.

9. What is meant by principled distance?
Ans: Principled distance means the government treats all religions equally but can get involved to ensure equality and justice.

10. How is Indian secularism different from American secularism? 
Ans: In Indian secularism, the government supports all religions equally but in American secularism, the government don’t involve itself and stays separate from religion completely.

11. Why are government schools not allowed to celebrate religious festivals?
Ans: Government schools are not allowed to celebrate religious festivals because they treat all religions equally and do not favour one particular religion. 

12. Why are people allowed to wear a pagri while driving two-wheelers?
Ans: People are allowed to wear a pagri (turban) while driving two-wheelers because it is a religious tradition for Sikhs, and the government respects their faith by exempting them from wearing helmets.

13. what are the 3 objectives of a secular state?
Ans:
A. Government treat all religions equally. 
B. Allow all people to follow or not follow any religion freely.
C. Protect peace and fairness for all religious groups. 

14. In which year was the word secular added to the Indian Constitution?
Ans: In 1976 the word secular was added to the Indian Constitution

15. Why is needed of secularism?
Ans: Secularism is needed to treat everyone equally, stop unfair treatment based on religion, and keep peace for all people.

→ Click for Understanding Secularism Notes

Long type questions & answers

1. What is the importance of Indian secularism?
Ans: The Indian Constitution says that India must be a secular country (the government treats all religions equally) this country can achieve their goals by making sure that –

  • No religion should be more powerful or treated better than another. Every religion is treated equally and fairly.
  • No one in a religious group should have more power or control over others. This means everyone should be treated equally, with no one being treated better than others in the same group.”
  • The government does not force people to follow any one religion and allows everyone to follow their religion freely.

The government keeps a distance from religions and treats all religions equally, without supporting one more than the others. In India, places like courts, police stations, government schools, and offices can’t support any one religion and ensure people can freely follow their religion without interference. Sometimes, the government steps in to protect everyone’s rights and prevent one religion from being more powerful than others. Indian secularism is different from other countries like the United States. In the U.S., religion and the government are completely separate. The Indian Constitution also allows religious groups to open their schools and colleges, providing financial help while treating all religions equally without giving special treatment to any one religion.

2. Why is it important to separate religion from the state?
Ans: Separating religion from the state is important in secularism to ensure fairness and equality for everyone, as this helps a country function democratically. It allows people to follow any religion freely, and the government treats all citizens equally, promoting peace and democracy in the country.
Another reason to separate religion from the state in democratic societies is to protect people’s freedom. This means everyone should be free to leave their religion, follow a new one, or understand religious tea

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