Context:

India historically touts itself as a secular state, one where all religions are recognized and can peacefully co-exist. Unfortunately, the reality is much different.

• Recent issues such as the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, cow slaughtering, love jihad paints a gloomy picture of India.

Religious Freedom Protections and Concerns

• Articles 25 to 28 in the Constitution of India provide the right to freedom of religion.
• Article 25 of the Indian Constitution states that “all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion” in a manner that does not adversely affect public order, health, or morality.
• India’s federal law provides “minority community” status for six religious groups—Buddhists, Christians, Jains, Muslims, Parsis (Zoroastrians), and Sikhs—that together comprise about one-fifth of India’s population.
• Further, Article 26 says that all denominations can manage their affairs in matters of religion. Religious organizations can be banned for sedition or disturbing communal harmony.

Important facts

• Distribution of religion in India:
  • 79.8% of the population is Hindu.
  • 14.2% Islam (The Muslim population is spread throughout the country)
  • 2.3% Christianity (in Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu, and Meghalaya)
  • 1.7% Sikhism, (Punjab region) ” 0.7% Buddhist (in the Maharashtra area)
  • 0.4% Jainism (in the regions of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and major cities)
  • 0.7% Other (Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Bahá’í, tribal religions)
• In 1976, the constitution was amended, inserting the word secular in Preamble. At the same time, a directive principle was added in the constitution that prohibits the slaughter of cows.