8th Std Social Science Term 2 Solution | Lesson.5 Understanding Secularism

Lesson.5 Understanding Secularism

Lesson.5 Understanding Secularism

I. Choose the correct answer

1. Secularism means

1. State is against to all religions
2. State accepts only one religion
3. An attitude of tolerance and peaceful coexistence on the part of citizen belonging any religion
4. None of these

Ans : An attitude of tolerance and peaceful coexistence on the part of citizen belonging any religion

2. India is a land of _________.

1. multi – religious faith
2. multi – cultural beliefs
3. Both (1) & (2)
4. None of these

Ans : Both (1) & (2)

3. The Preamble of the Constitution was amended in _________.

1. 1951
2. 1976
3. 1974
4. 1967

Ans : 1976

4. Which one of the following describes India as a secular state?

1. Fundamental Rights
2. Fundamental Duty
3. Directive Principles of State Policy
4. Preamble of the Constitution

Ans : Preamble of the Constitution

5. Right to freedom of religion is related to

1. Judiciary
2. Parliament
3. Directive principles of State Policy
4. Fundamental rights

Ans : Fundamental rights

6. According to Article 28, which type of education is restricted in state aided educational institutions?

1. religious instruction
2. Moral education
3. Physical education
4. None above these

Ans : Religious instruction

7. The country will be considered as a secular country, if it _________.

1. gives importance to a particular religion
2. bans religious instructions in the state – aided educational institutions.
3. does not give importance to a particular religion
4. bans the propagation of any religious belief.

Ans : Does not give importance to a particular religion

II. Fill in the Blanks.

1. Religion does not teach us _________.

Ans : Animosity

2. Secularism is a part of democracy which grants _________.

Ans : Equal rights

3. _________ is a lack of belief in god and gods.

Ans : Atheism

4. The basic aim of our constitution is to promote _________ and _________.

Ans : Unity and Integrity

5. Article 15 prohibits ________ on the grounds of religion, caste, sex or place of birth.

Ans : Discrimination

III Match the following.

IV. State true or false

1. There is state religion in India.

Ans : False

2. The term secularism has been derived from the Greek word.

Ans : False

3. The Mughal emperor Akbar followed the policy of religious toleration.

Ans : True

4. Jainism originated in China.

Ans : False

5. Government of India declares holidays for all religious festivals.

Ans : True

V. Consider the following statements and tick the appropriate answer

1. i) Secularism is invaluable for a society like India which is characterized by religious diversity.

ii) The word secularism was not mentioned in the Constitution when it was adopted in 1950.

iii) Article 26 deals with payment of taxes for the promotion of any particular religion.

iv) Akbar’s tomb situated at Sikandara near Agra.

1. i, ii only
2. ii, iii only
3. iv only
4. i, ii and iv only

Ans : i, ii and iv only

2. Assertion (A) : A foreigner can practice his own religious faith in India.

Reason (R) : The freedom of religion is guaranteed by the constitution not only for Indians but also for the aliens also.

1. A is true but R is false.
2. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
3. A is false but R is true.
4. Both A and R are true. R is not the correct explanation of A.

Ans : Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

3. Assertion (A) : Secularism is invaluable in India.

Reason (R) : India is a multi- religious and multi- cultural country.

1. A is correct and R is the correct explanation of A.
2. A is correct and R is not the correct explanation of A.
3. A is wrong and R is correct.
4. Both are wrong.

Ans : A is correct and R is the correct explanation of A Civics

4. Find out the wrong pair.

1. Din-i-Illahi – A book
2. Khajuraho – Hindu temple
3. Ashoka – Rock Edict
4. Iqbal – Poet

Ans : Din-i-Illahi – A book

VI. Answer the following in one or two sentences 

1. Name some of the Indians who contributed to spread of secularism.

Some of the Indians who contributed to spread of secularism are

• Rajaram Mohan Roy
• Sir Syed AhmadKhan
• Rabindranath Tagore
• Mahatma Gandhi and
• B.R. Ambedkar

2. What does secularism mean?

Secularism means an attitude of tolerance towards other religions and peaceful coexistence of citizens belonging to different faiths.

3. State the objectives of secularism.

Objectives of Secularism

• One religious group does not dominate another.
• Some members don’t dominate other members of the same religious community.
• The state does not enforce any specific religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.

4. Why is it important to separate religion from the state?

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

5. What are the characteristic features of a secular state?

The Characteristic Features of a Secular State

• Principle of Liberty – the state permits the practice of any religion.
• Principle of Equality – the state does not give preference to any religion over another.
• Principle of Neutrality – the state remains neutral in religious matter.

6. Mention any three Constitutional provisions related to secularism?

• Article 15 – Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, caste, sex or place of birth etc.,
• Article 16 – Equality of opportunity in public employment.
• Article 26 – Freedom to manage religious affairs

VII. Answer the following in detail

1. Why we need secular education?

Secularism in education means making public education free from any religious dominance. Children as future citizens must get education which should aim at their development of character and moral behavior irrespective of religious affiliation.

Secular education is needed

• to remove narrow mindedness and makes dynamic and enlightened view;
• to develop moral and humanistic outlook;
• to train the youth to be good citizen;
• to strengthen democratic values like liberty, equality, and fraternity and co-operative living;
• to give wider vision towards life;
• to develop an attitude of appreciation and understanding of others point of view;
• to develop the spirit of love, tolerance, co-operation, equality and sympathy;
• to synthesise materialism and spiritualism.

2. Secularism is necessary for a country like India. Justify.

• India is a secular nation as it has no state religion.
• India is a land of multi-religious faith and multi-cultural beliefs.
• It is the birth place of four major religions; Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.
• In our country people of diverse religions and beliefs have been living peacefully for a long time.
• The concept of secularism is aimed at creating a society in which people of religious beliefs or people who do not belong to any religion can live together in harmony and peace.
• Secularism is invaluable for a society like India which is characterised by religious diversity.
• In a secular nation, people have the freedom to choose, practice and propagate their religion
• The government neither encourages nor discourages any religion.
• People are free to choose and practice their religion.
• The Government of India treats people of all religions with equal respect.

Some Useful Pages

• 9th Standard All Books – Download

• 8th Standard All Books – Download

• 7th Standard All Books – Download

• Lesson 4 (Hazards) Answers – More