IN QUEST OF SECULARISM: WEST AND EAST

Abstract

The world of academics is divided into different groups pertaining to their reflection on the questions of secularism. Some of them considered that secularism is a western concept. It is a product of European history that has been implanted in Indian societies so the secularization of politics has taken place in India where the people are strongly committed to religion. Some other scholars believe secularism is an Indian experience for that matter Hinduism itself a great secular religion. Diversity of faith, diversity of ideas, and spirit of co-existence, accommodation, and tolerance are the essential ingredients of Hinduism. Therefore, secularism as a concept as plasticized in West is so different from the practice of secularism in India. The present paper seeks to explore a comparative analysis to the concept of secularism in west and east.