International Journal of Law

Authors
Dr. Awdhesh Kumar

Abstract
As we come to the concluding part of the long, arduous exercise, it would be in the fitness of things to have a bird’s eye view of the point raised, issue discussed, and finding crystallized here, in the introductory chapter, we threw light, though not in a very focused manner on the issues facing secularism today in India and the doubts and misgivings expressed regarding the secular project in India. We also, referred, albeit in passing, to the spurt in communal events, heightening of religious fervor among the Hindus in recent years. And in the Chapters that followed, the concept of secularism was sought to be put in perspective. In article, we focused on how in the West, secularism emerged after a long drawn out bloody tussle, involving the state and the religious sects. Particular reference was made of the ‘no-establishment’ clause in the U.S., the ideal norm of separation of state and church. We also saw how, because of the ground realities and pervasive role of religion, it is difficult to divide religion and state into water tight compartments. We examined the roller-coaster ride that the concept of secularism has undergone.