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Context

Recent incidents highlight a concerning trend of communal tensions affecting institutions of higher learning, raising questions about academic freedom and the secular fabric of educational spaces.

Recent Incidents as Case Studies

King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Lucknow

Allegations of forced religious conversion against a junior doctor sparked protests and claims of a larger "conversion racket" on campus, drawing external political scrutiny to an internal university issue.

Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Jammu

Cancellation of the first MBBS batch, following communal protests against the high admission of Muslim students (44/50) on NEET qualified merit, raised concerns about the influence of those protests on the institutional decision.

Secularism in Indian Education

Secularism in India is a foundational pillar of the Constitution, essential for maintaining national unity in a diverse country. 

Unlike the Western model, which implies a strict separation of church and state, Indian secularism follows a model of ‘principled distance’ or ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhava’ (equal respect for all religions). 

In India, the state maintains a principled distance from all religions and can intervene, if necessary, to ensure harmony and equality. 

In education, this principle is crucial for nurturing citizens who are rational, tolerant, and committed to constitutional values.  

Constitutional Framework for Secular Education

The Indian Constitution establishes a strong secular framework for education, ensuring state-funded institutions remain neutral and do not endorse any single religion.

Preamble (42nd Amendment, 1976)

The word ‘SECULAR’ establishes the core identity of the Indian state. It mandates that all state actions, including education policy, must be non-religious and impartial.

Article 25 (Freedom of Religion)

Guarantees individual freedom of conscience and religion, this means students can follow their faith, subject to public order, morality, and health.

Article 27 (Freedom from taxation for promotion of a religion)

Prohibits the use of public funds (taxes) for the promotion of any particular religion. This directly prevents state-run schools from spending money on religious indoctrination.

Article 28 (Freedom from attending religious instruction)

• Institutions wholly maintained by state funds are prohibited from imparting any religious instruction.
• For state-aided or recognized institutions, students cannot be compelled to attend religious instruction or worship without their (or their guardian's) consent.

Article 29 (Protection of interests of minorities)

Citizens with a distinct language, script, or culture have the right to conserve it. State-maintained or state-aided educational institutions cannot deny admission based solely on religion, race, caste, or language.

Article 30 (Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions)

All minorities (religious or linguistic) have the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice, to protect their cultural and educational autonomy. 

Article 51A (Fundamental Duties)

Every citizen must promote harmony and common brotherhood, and cultivate a scientific temper, humanism, and the spirit of inquiry and reform, as these are the core principles of secular education.

Contemporary Challenges to Secular Education

Rising Societal Polarisation

Increasing communal tensions in society often spill into classrooms and campuses, creating an environment of mistrust and intolerance among students from different communities.

Politicisation of Curriculum

Frequent attempts to revise curricula, especially in history, to align with political ideologies can distort facts, promote a majoritarian narrative, and undermine critical thinking and inclusivity.

Debates on Religious Symbols

The Karnataka Hijab case (2022) illustrates the tension between individual religious freedom and the requirement for uniformity in secular educational settings.

Digital Radicalisation

The unchecked spread of misinformation and hate speech on social media threatens secular ethos by radicalizing youth toward extremist ideologies.

Erosion of Institutional Autonomy

External political or social pressure often compromises the autonomy, academic freedom, and secular principles of educational institutions.

Inadequate Teacher Training

Lack of structured training for educators on religious and cultural diversity leads to unconscious biases in the classroom.

Way Forward

Curriculum Reform Focused on Constitutional Values

The curriculum must be designed to actively promote critical thinking, scientific temper, and an understanding of composite culture, focusing on the constitutional values of equality, justice, and fraternity.

Empowering Teachers

Invest in comprehensive and continuous training for teachers to equip them with the skills to promote an inclusive and secular classroom environment. 

Promoting Digital Literacy

Integrate digital and media literacy into the curriculum to teach students how to critically evaluate online information, identify fake news, and resist online radicalisation.  

Strengthening Institutional Autonomy

Government and judiciary must protect educational institutions from undue political and mob pressure, ensuring they remain safe spaces for free inquiry and learning.

Encouraging Inter-Community Dialogue

Schools and colleges should organize programs promoting interfaith dialogue and interaction to break down stereotypes and build mutual respect among students.

Conclusion

Secularism in education is vital for pluralistic democracy, requiring a collective commitment from all stakeholders to instill values of tolerance, empathy, and national unity in classrooms.

Source: INDIANEXPRESS