Question - 1 : -
Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer - 1 : -

Yes, the government will and should intervene because this practice is against the right to freedom to live. Moreover, it is a crime to kill or practice infanticide.

Question - 2 : -
List the different types of religious practices that you find in your neighbourhood. 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?

Answer - 2 : -

Different types of religious practice:

(i) Jagran

(ii) Kirtan

(iii) Namaj

(iv) Mass

(v) Havan

Yes, this indicates freedom of religious practice.

Question - 3 : -
Complete the following table:

Objective

Why is it important

Example of a violation of this objective

One religious community does not dominate another

The state does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals

That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community

Answer - 3 : -

Objective	Why is it important	Example of a violation of this objective
One religious community does not dominate another	It is important because the Constitution gives the right to religious freedom to all and if it is not provided there may be chances of riots and a disturbance of harmony in the country.	Stopping the people of a particular religion to celebrate their festival
The state does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals	It is important so that every individual in a country has the right to follow the religion of their choice. This is what makes the nation a secular country.	India is a country where people from different castes and religion reside.
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community	Religion cannot be divided on the basis of wealth or creed. Hence, it is important that no member dominates other members from the same religion. Following their religion is the right of every individual.	Distinguishing between upper-class and lower-class.

Question - 4 : -
Look up the annual calendar of the holidays of your school. How many of them pertain to different’religions? What does this indicate?

Answer - 4 : - The annual calendar of our school marks holidays like Eid, which is celebrated by Muslims. Diwali, which is a Hindu festival, Christmas, which is celebrated by Christians and Guru Nanak Jayanti which is a Sikh festival. This proves that India is a secular country and every individual has the right to religious freedom.

Question - 5 : -
Find out some examples of different views within the same religion.

Answer - 5 : -

Different views are followed even within the same religion. As for example, only in the Hindu religion, we have hundreds of deities worshipped by different groups of people. Similarly, in the Muslim community, there are Shiyas and Shunnis. In Jainas, there are Shwetambar and Digambar sects. In Buddha Dharma, there are Hinayaans and Mahayaans.

Question - 6 : -
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.

Answer - 6 : -

India is a land of complex ideas. It is difficult to understand what it really wants. There are many ideals in the Constitution but practices are quite different from them. In many cases we see laws explain a concept in a different way. But people interpret it differently. Law itself in some cases acts differently. As for example, in secular state law has nothing to say in any of the practices of the religion but when the dominance of upper castes in religion was brought to question the law took favour of the lower castes. This interference of the State creates confusion.

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