The French government recently sparked a conversation on the principle of Laïcité or secularism, following a decision to ban the wearing of the abaya, an Islamic garment, in state-run schools. The move, which was both supported and criticized, sought to uphold Laïcité, much to the public’s interest. This brings us to the question: What is Laïcité?
Understanding Laïcité
For France, Laïcité signifies a formal separation between the State and Church, pushing for the complete exclusion of religious values from the public sphere. Its origins lie in resistance against the Catholic Church’s influence. Replacing religious influence in public spaces, secular values such as liberty, equality, and fraternity step forward.
Changing Demographics and Rising Tensions
Until the mid-20th century, Laïcité didn’t pose significant challenges given France’s relative homogeneity. However, this changed in the 1950s and 1960s, during decolonization efforts in North Africa. Substantial migration from Muslim-majority countries such as Tunisia, Morocco, and Algeria led to occasional tensions and brought Laïcité into focus.
Controversial Legislation and Varied Interpretations
In 2004, France passed a law prohibiting the display of conspicuous religious symbols in public spaces. This included Christian crosses, Jewish kippahs, and Muslim hijabs. A 2011 legislation banned face-covering veils in public places, sparking fresh interpretations of Laïcité.
Comparing Laïcité with Indian Secularism
Laïcité, deeply rooted in French history, became a cornerstone of the French Republic with the 1905 Separation of Church and State law. On the other hand, the Indian Constitution, amended in 1976 to include the term ‘Secular’, espouses a secular state.
While Laïcité ensures a strict separation between religious institutions and the state, banning religious symbols in public schools and government buildings, Indian secularism embraces religious diversity. Although not separate from religion, the Indian state treats all religions equitably. It can financially support religious institutions and allows religious symbols in public spaces.
Lessons from Indian Secularism
France can take inspiration from Sarva Dharma Sambhava, an Indian philosophy advocating equal respect for all religions. Indian secularism — a model that doesn’t exclude religion from public life but accommodates it without infringing on others’ rights — offers a possible solution.
Indian secularism also acknowledges the right to profess, practice, and propagate any religion subject to public order, morality, and health as a fundamental right. Furthermore, it safeguards the educational and cultural rights of minorities and permits them to manage their own institutions.
Understanding the concept of secularism in different societal contexts is crucial. The comparison between Indian and French secularism highlights the diverse ways in which societies negotiate the delicate balance between religion and state.
