Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism Important Questions and Answers

 

 

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism

 

Understanding Secularism – Given in this post is NCERT Solutions Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism Important Question Answers. The important questions we have compiled will help the students to brush up on their knowledge about the subject. Students can practice Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 important questions to understand the subject better and improve their performance in the exam. The NCERT Solutions Class 8 Social Science (Civics) provided here will also give students an idea about how to write the answers.

 

Source Based Questions 

 

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow-

 

A. The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically. Almost all countries of the world will have more than one religious group living in them. Within these religious groups, there will most likely be one group that is in a majority. If this majority religious group has access to State power, then it could quite easily use this power and financial resources to discriminate against and persecute persons of other religions. This tyranny of the majority could result in the discrimination, coercion and at times even the killing of religious minorities

1 What do you understand about Secularism?

Ans. The Indian Constitution allows individuals the freedom to live by their religious beliefs and practices as they interpret these. In keeping with this idea of religious freedom for all, India also adopted a strategy of separating the power of religion and the power of the State. Secularism refers to this separation of religion from the State.

2 What is the most important aspect of Secularism? 

Ans. The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically.

3 Explain coercion with reference to the passage.

Ans. The majority discriminating against the minority and forcing other sections to kill the religious minorities can be referred to as coercion. 

4 . If this majority religious group has access to___________, then it could quite easily use this power and ___________to discriminate against and persecute persons of other religions.

Ans. If this majority religious group has access to State power, then it could quite easily use this power and financial resources to discriminate against and persecute persons of other religions.

5 Explain in brief why it is important to separate state and religion in democratic societies with reference to the majority gaining power.

Ans. Within these religious groups in the country, there will most likely be one group that is in a majority. If this majority religious group has access to State power, then it could quite easily use this power and financial resources to discriminate against and persecute persons of other religions. This tyranny of the majority could result in the discrimination, coercion and at times even the killing of religious minorities. The majority could quite easily prevent minorities from practicing their religions. Therefore, the tyranny of the majority and the violation of Fundamental Rights that can result is one reason why it is important to separate the State and religion in democratic societies

B.  In order to prevent this religion-based exclusion and discrimination of ‘lower castes’, the Indian Constitution bans untouchability. In this instance, the State is intervening in religion in order to end a social practice that it believes discriminates and excludes, and that violates the Fundamental Rights of ‘lower castes’ who are citizens of this country. Similarly, to ensure that laws relating to equal inheritance rights are respected, the State may have to intervene in the religion-based ‘personal laws’ of communities.

1 What do you understand about untouchability? 

Ans. Untouchability is a form of social institution that legitimizes and enforces practices that are discriminatory, humiliating, exclusionary and exploitative against people belonging to certain social groups.

2 Is the intervention of the State in ‘religion-based’ personal laws justified?

Ans. The intervention of the State can also be in the form of support. The Indian Constitution grants the right to religious communities to set up their own schools and colleges. It also gives them financial aid on a non preferential basis.

3 Give an example of untouchability. 

Ans. Example: A social system where members of the same religion (‘upper-caste’ Hindus) dominate other members (some ‘lower castes’) within it. 

4 Define Fundamental Rights. 

Ans. The Constitution offers all citizens, individually and collectively, some basic freedoms called Fundamental Rights. 

5 What does the Constitution say about the practice of untouchability?

Ans. The Indian Constitution bans untouchability. The State intervenes in religion in order to end a social practice that it believes discriminates and excludes, and that violates the Fundamental Rights of ‘lower castes’ who are citizens of this country

Read the extract and answer the questions that follow-

C. The Indian Constitution mandates that the Indian State be secular. According to the Constitution, only a secular State can realize its objectives to ensure the following: 

1. that one religious community does not dominate another; 
2. that some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community; 
3. that the State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals. 

The Indian State works in various ways to prevent the above domination. First, it uses a strategy of distancing itself from religion. The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one religion. In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.

1 What does the Constitution say about secular states realizing their objective?

Ans. The Indian Constitution mandates that the Indian State be secular. According to the Constitution, only a secular State can realize its objectives to ensure the following: 

1. that one religious community does not dominate another; 
2. that some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community; 
3. that the State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals. 

2 How does the Indian state prevent domination?

Ans. The Indian State works in various ways to prevent domination. First, it uses a strategy of distancing itself from religion. The Indian State is not ruled by a religious group and nor does it support any one religion.

3  What is domination in this context? 

Ans. Domination in this context is the majority, i.e., the religious majority overruling the minority. 

4  In India, government spaces like_______________________are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.

Ans. In India, government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion.

5 Why are government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices not supposed to display or promote any one religion? 

Ans. Government spaces like law courts, police stations, government schools and offices are not supposed to display or promote any one religion due the fact that they are in a certain way a representation of the Indian State and thus cannot show favoritism towards any one religion. 

D. Another reason that it is important to separate religion from the State in democratic societies is because we also need to protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently. To understand this point better, let us take the practice of untouchability. You might feel that you dislike this practice within Hinduism and therefore, you want to try and reform it. However, if State power were in the hands of those Hindus who support untouchability, then do you think that you would have an easy task to try and change this? Even if you were part of the dominant religious group, you might face a lot of resistance from fellow members of your community.

1 State a major reason why it is important to separate religion from the State? 

Ans. A major reason why it is important to separate religion from the State in democratic societies is because we also need to protect the freedom of individuals to exit from their religion, embrace another religion or have the freedom to interpret religious teachings differently.

2 Explain freedom to interpret one’s religion? 

Ans. Freedom to interpret one’s religion means that an individual can interpret and practice their religion according to their own interpretations and beliefs. 

3 Can an individual change their religion in India?

Ans. Yes, the constitution of India gives the freedom to the individuals to change their religion or to not adopt any religion if they wish. 

4 Untouchability is still practiced in the Indian State. True/False?

Ans. False, Untouchability has been abolished by the Indian Constitution.

5 Explain what could happen if the Constitution does not give us the freedom to choose our religion?

Ans. Let us take the practice of untouchability. You might feel that you dislike this practice within Hinduism and therefore, you want to try and reform it. However, if State power were in the hands of those Hindus who support untouchability, then do you think that you would have an easy task to try and change this? Even if you were part of the dominant religious group, you might face a lot of resistance from fellow members of your community. These members who have control of State power might say that there is only one interpretation of Hinduism and that you do not have the freedom to interpret this differently. 

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) (1 Mark)

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) are a type of objective assessment in which a person is asked to choose one or more correct answers from a list of available options. An MCQ presents a question along with several possible answers.

 

Q1 Which country didn’t allow non-Muslims to build their worship places?

A) India
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Pakistan
D) None of these
Ans. B) Saudi Arabia

Q2. From where did immigrants come to France in the 1960’s?

A) Algeria
B) Tunisia
C) Morocco
D) All of the above
Ans. D) All of the above

Q3 What were the names of the Muslim dominant former French colonies?

A) Tunisia
B) Morocco
C) Algeria
D) All of these
Ans. D) All of these

Q4 What was the reason behind abolition of the evil practice of untouchability?

A) To end the Muslims in India
B) To end the discrimination
C) To end the poverty
D) None of these
Ans. B) To end the discrimination

Q5 Which one of the following is a fundamental right?

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

Q6 Hitler had prosecuted _____ during his region in Germany.

A) Muslims
B) Christians
C) Jews
D) Hindus
Ans. C) Jews

Q7 Israel is a ____ majority state.

A) Hindu
B) Jewish
C) Islamic
D) Christian
Ans. B) Jewish

Q8 ____ is one of the former colonies of France.

A) Indonesia
B) South Africa
C) Morocco
D) China
Ans. C) Morocco 

Q9 In Saudi Arabia, ____ can’t practice their religion in public. 

A) non-Muslims
B) Muslims
C) Government
D) People
Ans. A) non-Muslims

Q10 Separation of religion from the State is referred to as _____.

A) Monarchy
B) Democracy
C) Secularism
D) Republic
Ans. C) Secularism

Q11 All citizens are permitted by _____ to practice their own religion.

A) State
B) Indian constitution
C) Judiciary
D) President
Ans. B) Indian constitution

Q12  In a secular state, one religious state does not ____ the other.  

A) support
B) discriminate
C) follow
D) resist
Ans. B) discriminate

Q13 ______ are not allowed to celebrate the festivals of any particular religion to promote secularism. 

A) Private schools
B) Government schools
C) madrasas
D) Pathshalas
Ans. B) Government schools 

Q14 The tyranny of Majority people can result in _____ of religious minorities. 

A) education
B) discrimination
C) freedom
D) biasness
Ans. B) discrimination

Q15 The Government of India does not support any one ____.

A) Democracy
B) monarchy
C) religion
D) Judiciary
Ans. C) religion

Q16 ______ is an example of a government office. 

A) Restaurants
B) Police stations
C) Housing society
D) private schools
Ans. B) Police stations

Q17  In _____, there are upper castes who dominate lower castes. 

A) Jainism
B) Jewism
C) Parsis
D) Hinduism
Ans. D) Hinduism

Q18 Indian Constitution allows religious minorities to set up their own ____. 

A) Courts
B) Educational setups
C) Police stations
D) government schools
Ans. B) Educational setups

Q19 ______ is a former colony of France. 

A) South Africa
B) Algeria
C) China
D) Indonesia
Ans. B) Algeria

Q20 For Sikhs, wearing a ____ is an important part of religion. So, they can avoid helmets. 

A) kurta
B) Turban
C) uniform
D) shirts
Ans. B) Turban

Q21  _____ is a Republic country 

A) Japan
B) United Kingdom
C) United States of America
D) China
Ans. C) United States of America

Q22 _____ is the main religion of Saudi Arabia.

A) Christianity
B) Islam
C) Jewism
D) Hinduism
Ans. B) Islam

Q23 _____ are allowed to celebrate festivals. 

A) Courts
B) Parliaments
C) Private Schools
D) Police stations
Ans. C) Private Schools

Q24 Pledge of Allegiance’ takes place in the schools of the ____.

A) China
B) USA
C) India
D) Japan
Ans. B) USA 

Q25 Tunisia was a colony of _____ earlier. 

A) Netherland
B) France
C) Spain
D) United Kingdom

Ans. B) France

Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

Q1. What happened in the Jewish state of Israel? 

Ans. Muslim and Christian minorities were treated badly in the Jewish state of Israel.

Q2. What is Secularism?

Ans. Secularism refers to the separation of religion from the state. The Indian constitution does not uphold any religion as state religion. Everybody is free to follow his/her own religion. 

Q3. What examples does history provide us on the grounds of religion? 

Ans. History provides us with several examples of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion.

Q4. What do you mean by ‘freedom to interpret’? 

Ans. ‘Freedom to interpret’ means an individual’s liberty to develop his own understanding and meaning of the religion that one practices.  

Q5. Explain the concept of ‘principled distance’. 

Ans. This means that any interference in religion by the State has to be based on the ideals laid out in the Constitution and that the state shall distance itself from promoting all or any religions. 

Q6. How are non-Muslims treated in Saudi Arabia?

Ans. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build a temple, church etc., and nor can they gather in a public place for prayers.

Q7. What is meant by the word ‘establishment’ in the constitution of the USA?

Ans. The word ‘establishment’ means that the legislature cannot declare any religion as the official religion. Nor can they give preference to one religion.

Q8. What is the most important aspect of secularism? State its importance.

Ans. The most important aspect of secularism is its separation of religion from State power. This is important for a country to function democratically.

Q9. When do acts of discrimination take place more easily?

Ans. When one religion is given official recognition by the state at the expense of the other religions.

Q10. Why is Paramjit allowed to drive in pagri with reference to the chapter?

Ans. Paramjit is a Sikh youth and for him wearing a pagri is a very important part of his religion.

 

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)

Q1. “The government cannot force Sikhs to wear a helmet while driving two wheelers.” Give a reason.

Ans. This is because the Indian government realizes that wearing a pagri (turban) is an important part of a Sikh’s religious practices and, in order to avoid interfering with it, it makes an exception in the legislation.

Q2. What provision has been made by the government to follow religious equality in government spaces, schools and offices? 

Ans. Government venues in India, such as law courts, police stations, government schools, and offices, are not allowed to display or promote any particular religion. Government schools are not permitted to promote any one religion in their morning prayers or religious celebrations.

Q3. When does the act of discrimination take place? 

Ans. When members of one religious community harass or discriminate against members of other religious communities, this is referred to as discrimination. Discrimination becomes easier to commit when one religion is granted official legitimacy by the state at the cost of others.

Q4. How is the Indian concept of secularism different from that of the United States?

Ans. There is one fundamental difference between Indian secularism and the prevailing idea of secularism applied in the United States of America. This is because in contrast to the absolute separation of religion and the State in American secularism, the State can meddle in religious concerns in Indian secularism. 

Q5. Why are government schools not allowed to celebrate religious festivals? 

Ans. The school’s celebration of the religious festival would be a violation of the government’s principle of fair treatment of all religions. Government schools are not permitted to promote any one religion in their morning prayers or religious celebrations. That is why religious festivals are not permitted in government schools.

Q6. What is secularism in the Indian context?

Ans. Individuals are allowed to live according to their religious views and practices as they see fit under the Indian Constitution. In keeping with the principle of religious freedom for all, India also developed a strategy of separating religious and state power. The separation of religion and the state is referred to as secularism.

Q7. When was the law passed by the French government banning religious symbols in school? What was its impact?

Ans. In February 2004, France introduced legislation prohibiting students from wearing visible religious or political signs or symbols, such as the Islamic headscarf, the Jewish skullcap, or huge Christian crosses. This bill has been met with strong opposition from immigrants, primarily from the former French colonies of Algeria, Tunisia, and Morocco.

Q8. Why are most religious festivals public holidays?

Ans. The celebration of the religious event within the school and offices would have violated the government’s principle of fair treatment of all religions. Government schools and offices are not permitted to promote any religion, either through morning prayers or religious celebrations. As a result, most religious festivals are observed as public holidays.

Q9. State the three objectives of a secular State.

Ans. The three objectives of a secular State are:

1. One religious community does not dominate another;
2. Some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community;
3. State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.

Q10. Cite some historical examples of discrimination.

Ans. Examples of discrimination throughout history include:

• In Hitler’s Germany, Jews were persecuted.
• The Jewish State of Israel is cruel to its Muslim and Christian minority.
• Non-Muslims are not permitted to build temples, churches, or other religious structures in Saudi Arabia, nor are they permitted to pray in public places.

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

Q1. What is the difference between Indian secularism and American secularism?

Ans. The legislature in the United States cannot declare any faith to be the official religion. They also cannot favor one religion over another. The separation of state and religion in this country means that neither the state nor religion can interfere in the affairs of the other.

The state has the authority to meddle in religious matters under Indian secularism. We’ve seen how the Indian Constitution intervened in Hindu religious practices to end untouchability. However, the state keeps a principled distance from religion.

Q2. In what different ways does the Indian State work to prevent religious domination?

Ans. 

• It employs a strategy of distancing itself from religion in order to prevent religious dominance in India. The Indian State is not governed by a religious organization. It also does not endorse any particular religion. In our country, official institutions such as legal courts, police stations, government schools, and offices are not permitted to demonstrate or promote any particular religion.
• The second way Indian secularism seeks to prevent religious dominance is through a non-interference strategy. This means that, in order to respect the sentiments of all religions while not interfering with religious practices, the State provides exceptions for specific religious communities. Take, for example, the Sikh community. For Sikhs, wearing a pagri is a very important part of their religion. The government cannot force them to wear a helmet while driving a two-wheeler.
• The third way in which Indian secularism tries to prevent religious dominance is through an intervention strategy. Untouchability is a good illustration of how individuals of the same religion, such as upper caste Hindus, oppress lower castes within it. Our Constitution outlawed untouchability to prevent religion-based discrimination against lower castes. In this case, the state intervened in religion to eliminate a social practice that it considered discriminated against and excluded persons of lower castes and violated their Fundamental Rights.

Q3. Explain with an example that in Indian secularism the State can intervene in religious affairs.

Ans. The ability of the state to intervene in religious matters is an important part of India’s secularism. We may demonstrate this with the example of untouchability. It was a practice in which members of the same faith, namely upper-caste Hindus, ruled lower caste persons within it. The Indian Constitution prohibited untouchability in order to eliminate religion-based exclusion and discrimination of lower castes. In this case, the state intervened in religion to eliminate a social practice that it considered discriminated against and excluded lower castes and violated their Fundamental Rights.

Q4. Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.

Ans. Within the same religion, several points of view can be found. As an example:

• In Hinduism, there are four schools of thought: Vaishnavism, Shaivism, Shaktism, and Smartism.
• There are Sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, and Quranist Muslims.
• There are two sects of Jainism: Shwetambar and Digambar.
• There are three schools of thought in Buddhism: Hinayana, Mahayana, and Vajrayana.

Q5. List the different types of religious practice that you find in your neighborhood. 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. (1) Among the various religious practises I discovered in my community are:

• Hindus 
• Muslims
• Sikhs 

(i) Hindus visit temples to worship God. They observe numerous festivals such as Holi and Diwali. They sing Bhajans, Ramayans, and the Gita.

(ii) Muslims visit mosques to worship Allah. They commemorate Id. They are reciting the Quran. Elders travel to Mecca for their pilgrimage.

(iii) Guru Nanak’s birthday and Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti are observed by Sikhs. They go to the Gurudwara to pray to their God. The Guru Granth Sahib is their holy book.

(2) Yes, it demonstrates religious freedom.

Q6. Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practise infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

Ans. Any democratic government would interfere if a religious organisation claimed that their religion enables them to practise infanticide because this practise violates the Fundamental Right to Life. It is unacceptable since it includes the slaughter of an innocent child. In this situation, the government intervenes by compulsion.

However, the government may occasionally interfere through assistance. Sikhs in Delhi, for example, are exempt from wearing helmets on two-wheelers because their faith requires them to wear a turban, which is a sacred custom for them.

Q7. Complete the following table:

Ans.

Q8. 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 state distinguishes itself from religion; it is not run by a religious group and does not endorse any one religion.
• All religions are treated with equal respect. To prevent one society from dominating another, the state may intervene in religion.
• The government may intervene in religion to ensure that all religions are treated equally.
• To ensure that rules relating to equal inheritance are upheld, the State may need to intervene in religion based on ‘personal laws’ of communities.

Q9. This poster 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? This chapter had three drawings on religious tolerance made by students of your age. Design your own poster on religious tolerance for your peers.

Ans. According to the preceding phrases, it is critical for all religious communities to respect one another, their interests, and religious practices in order for all communities to remain together. We should not feel compelled by any rule that requires us to respect the other faith; instead, as a civilized society, we should endeavor to reduce religious differences and promote peace to the society. Only then will we be able to enjoy the coexistence of various faith traditions in society.

Q10. Re-read the introduction to this chapter. Why do you think retaliation is not the proper response to this problem? What would happen if different groups followed this path?

Ans. Jews were persecuted and millions were killed in Hitler’s Germany. Now, the Jewish State of Israel mistreats its Muslim and Christian minority. It is a sort of retaliation that is not the appropriate reaction to this problem because it adds to the country’s anxiety and disarray. It also impedes social and economic progress since people are constantly preoccupied with little issues. Minorities are disregarded and feel degraded as a result.

If diverse factions take the same course, the globe will be in a state of upheaval. It will have a negative impact on international relations. There will be a breakdown in cooperation and coordination among the various communities.

 

Also See : 

• Class 8 Civics Chapter 1 The Indian Constitution Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Civics Chapter 3 Parliament and the Making of Laws Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Civics Chapter 4 Judiciary Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Civics Chapter 5 Understanding Marginalization Important Questions and Answers
• Class 8 Civics Chapter 6 Confronting Marginalization Important Questions and Answers

 

Also See: 

 

• Class 8 Social Science Lesson Explanation, Summary
• Class 8 MCQ Questions with Answers