Chapter 2: Secularism – NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science

NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2: Secularism: This article includes free NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2 Secularism to help students of Class 8 learn the solutions and ace their exams.

It has been developed by the subject matter experts at GFG, according to the latest CBSE Syllabus 2023-24, and guidelines to help the students of Class 8 create a solid conceptual base for Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2 Secularism

The solutions to all the exercises in Class 8 Political Science 2: Secularism of your NCERT textbook have been collectively covered in NCERT Solutions Class 8 Political Science.

NCERT Solutions Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2: Secularism

Exercise Page No. 26

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?

Answer:

The various forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites and different kinds of religious music found in my locality are of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jews. Christians engage in prayer through singing hymns. Hindus practice worship through bhajans and prayers at temples. Muslims offer namaaz five times a day, often congregating at mosques. Sikhs participate in prayers and community gatherings at gurudwaras and Jews may attend synagogues for prayer and observe Jewish traditions.

The presence of these diverse religious practices in my neighborhood indicates freedom of religious practice. Individuals are free to express their beliefs, participate in religious rituals, and worship at sacred sites without fear of persecution or discrimination. This diversity fosters mutual respect, understanding, and harmony among different religious communities, contributing to a vibrant and inclusive neighborhood.

2. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer:

Yes, the government will definitely intervene if any religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide in India. This is because:

1. Protection of Life: The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21) to all individuals, including infants. The government’s primary duty is to protect the lives of all individuals, and infanticide goes against this fundamental principle.
2. Laws Against Infanticide: There are strict laws in India that prohibit the killing of infants. These laws are in place to ensure that everyone, regardless of their religion, follows the same rules to protect innocent lives.
3. Child Welfare: The government is committed to the welfare and protection of children. Allowing infanticide would harm children’s well-being and violate their rights, which the government cannot allow.
4. Equality Before Law: In India, everyone is equal before the law. No one can break the law, even if they claim it’s part of their religious practice. This ensures fairness and justice for all citizens.
5. International Commitments: India has made commitments to international treaties and conventions that protect children’s rights. Allowing infanticide would go against these commitments and could lead to consequences on the international stage.

Overall, the government will intervene to stop any religious group from practicing infanticide because it’s against the law, harms children, and violates fundamental principles of equality and human rights.

3. Complete the following table:

Objective	Why is this important?	Example of a violation of this objective
One religious community does not dominate another.
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.

Answer:

Objective	Why is this important?	Example of a violation of this objective
One religious community does not dominate another.	This objective is important because it protects the right to freedom of religion, upholds democratic ideals, and protects individual freedom.	In 1992, Hindu nationalists demolished the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, violating this objective.  Instances of communal violence or persecution targeting religious minorities.
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.	The objective is to maintain a secular state. This ensures that no one religious group dominates another, and that some members of the same religious community do not dominate others. This prevents discrimination, coercion, and killing of religious minorities.	In 2004, France banned turbans and headscarves in public places, which hurt the sentiments of Muslim and Sikh minorities.
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.	The objective is important to protect the fundamental right to freedom of religion and uphold the ideals of a democratic nation. It also helps to uphold individual freedom in the light of pressure from a group or religious community that one belongs to.	Distinguishing between upper-class and lower-class.

4. Look up the annual calendar of holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different religions? What does this indicate?

Answer:

On a school’s annual calendar many holidays are related to different religions, indicating that India is a secular country where religious freedom is granted to its citizens and all religions are equally respected. For example, schools often have holidays for Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism. Some examples of holidays that pertain to different religions include:

• Hinduism: Holi, Diwali, Guru Purab
• Christianity: Christmas, Good Friday
• Islam: Eid

These holidays indicate that all religions are treated equally and that there is unity in diversity.

5. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.

Answer:

Some examples of different views within the same religion are as follows:

• Hinduism: Hindus have different interpretations of the significance of various Hindu scriptures, such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and Bhagavad Gita.
• Muslims: Some Muslims follow Sunni Islam, while others follow Shia Islam, each with its own distinct views on religious leadership and authority.
• Buddhism:There are various schools of Buddhism, such as Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana, each with its own interpretations of Buddhist teachings.
• Christianity: Views on the interpretation of the Bible: Some Christians may interpret certain passages of the Bible more literally, while others may view them more metaphorically.

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.

Answer:

The Indian Constitution mandates that the Indian state be secular, and provides equality to all religions. The state does not interfere in religious practices within places of worship, such as temples, mosques, churches, and gurudwaras. It allows religious communities to govern their own religious affairs without government intervention.

• Intervention to Promote Equality and Justice: Despite the principle of non-interference, the Indian State intervenes in religious matters to promote equality and justice.
  • Example: The government has enacted laws to abolish social evils like untouchability, which were associated with certain religious practices. These interventions aim to ensure that religious beliefs and practices do not infringe upon the rights and dignity of individuals, regardless of their caste or religion.
• Intervention to Prevent Discrimination: The Indian State intervenes in religious matters to prevent discrimination based on religion and caste.
  • Example: The government has implemented affirmative action policies, such as reservations in educational institutions and government jobs, to uplift marginalized communities, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, who have historically faced discrimination based on their religious and caste identities.
• Promotion of Religious Tolerance and Pluralism: The Indian State intervenes in religious matters to promote religious tolerance and pluralism.
  • Example: The government celebrates religious festivals of different communities, provides financial support for pilgrimages to various religious sites, and promotes interfaith dialogues and cultural exchanges. These interventions aim to foster understanding, respect, and harmony among people of different religious backgrounds.

7. 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?

Answer:

The above sentences are trying to convey that peace is not a one-time achievement, but rather an ongoing process that requires constant effort and attention. It is also important to recognize and respect the differences between people, while also acknowledging the common interests that bind us together. In the context of religious tolerance, this means that we must be willing to accept and celebrate the diversity of religious beliefs and practices, while also working together to find common ground and build a more peaceful world.

Religious tolerance is essential for peace because it allows people of different faiths to live together in harmony. When people are tolerant of each other’s religious beliefs, they are more likely to be respectful and understanding of each other’s differences. This can help to reduce conflict and create a more peaceful society.

Important Topics Discussed in the Chapter

Important topics discussed in the chapter are:

• Secularism in India
• What is Secularism?
• Why is it Important to Separate Religion from State?
• Freedom of Religion Guaranteed Under Indian Constitution
• Secularism in India and the United States
• Right to Freedom of Religion in India (Articles 25-28)

FAQs on NCERT Solutions For Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2 Secularism

What is the significance of Chapter 2 in Class 8 political Science?

The significance of Chapter 2 on secularism in Class 8 Political Science is to educate students about the principle of secularism and its importance in fostering religious harmony and equality within India’s diverse society.

What are the important topics discussed in the chapter?

Important topics discussed in the chapter are:

• Secularism in India
• What is Secularism?
• Secularism in India and the United States
• Freedom of Religion Guaranteed Under Indian Constitution
• Why is it Important to Separate Religion from State?
• Right to Freedom of Religion in India (Articles 25-28)

How do NCERT Solutions help in understanding Chapter 2 concepts?

NCERT Solutions provide comprehensive explanations, examples, and exercises to help students grasp the concepts of political science introduced in Chapter 2 effectively.

Where can I find the correct NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2 on the online platform?

The NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Political Science Chapter 2 can be found by the students on the GeeksforGeeks website. The NCERT Solutions are one of the best study materials which are available for students for free and students can rely on them for examination purposes.