Question

Another set of complications is created by the tension between the Indian state’s simultaneous commitment to secularism as well as the protection of minorities. The protection of minorities requires that they be given special consideration in a context where the normal working of the political system places them at a disadvantage vis-à-vis the majority community. But providing such protection immediately invites the accusation of favouritism or ‘appeasement’ of minorities. Opponents argue that secularism of this sort is only an excuse to favour the minorities in return for their votes or other kinds of support. Supporters argue that without such special protection, secularism can turn into an excuse for imposing the majority community’s values and norms on the minorities.

The complication mentioned in the passage is not due to:

विकल्प

• Difficulty created by the tension between the western sense of the state maintaining a distance from all religions and the Indian sense of the state giving equal respect to all religions.

• Perceived need to protect the minorities.

• Accusation of favouritism

• Authoritarian state

Answer 1

Authoritarian state