Harm done by fundamentalist politicians: destruction of democracy institutions and spiritualism.

Solution: Cohesion between ancient spiritual philosophies and rule of law.

Counter materialism and consumerism by reviving true spiritualism.

Prohibit religion in politics, discourage religious processions, encourage democratic living and true spiritualists.

Strengthen sacred spaces and secular values in public schools/institutions.

Religious Freedom: Living in a secular state offers benefits.
Fair Decision Making: State independence from religious groups ensures fairness.
Freedom of Speech.

Separation of religion from state.
Religious laws in personal domain for Muslim Indians; state partially finances certain religious schools.
India has been a secular state since 1947, with secular values enshrined in the constitution.
Jawaharlal Nehru and B.R. Ambedkar credited with forming modern secular values.
42nd Amendment (1976) added 'secular' to the Preamble.
Supreme Court in S. R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) established India was secular since its formation.
Judgment stated religion has no place in state matters. Nonsecular state actions are unconstitutional (Article 356).
State-owned educational institutions prohibited from imparting religious instructions (Article 28).
Taxpayers' money cannot be used for religious promotion (Article 27).
However, India's secularism does not completely separate religion and state.
Constitution allows state interference in religious affairs (e.g., abolition of untouchability, opening Hindu temples to lower castes).
Separation varies with executive orders and court rulings.
Personal laws (inheritance, alimony, marriage, divorce) vary by religion.
State partially finances religious schools and infrastructure.
Islamic Central Wakf Council and many Hindu temples administered/managed by federal/state provisions (Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958).
Attempt to respect religious law created issues: polygamy, unequal inheritance, extra-judicial divorce, conflicting interpretations of religious books.

Various religions coexisted and evolved for centuries.
Vedas, Upanishads, Puranas highlight Secularism in Hinduism.
Hinduism developed as a holistic religion, welcoming spiritual traditions.
Ancient temples show coexistence of faiths.
Emperor Ashoka (2200 years ago) and Harsha (1400 years ago) patronized different religions.
Ancient Indians had freedom of religion; state granted citizenship regardless of religion.
Ellora Caves (5th-10th centuries) show religious coexistence.
Interfaith relations changed with Islam (12th century); discrimination