NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism

NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Social Science Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism are given below. These solutions contain answers to all the exercise questions given in the Geography textbook. All our solutions are updated as per the latest CBSE Syllabus and Guidelines. These solutions will also help you to score higher marks with the help of well-illustrated answers. All the questions and answers of Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism are provided here in PDF format.

Class 8 Civics Chapter 2 Understanding Secularism NCERT Solutions

For a better understanding of this chapter, you should also read the NCERT book and other resources related to Class 8 Civics The Indian Constitution. Here at study path we also provide you with NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Maths, Science, English for free.

Exercise Questions

Question 1: List the different types of religious practice 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: The different types of religious practices found in my neighbourhood strongly indicate freedom of religious practice. The various forms of prayer, worship of different gods, sacred sites and different kinds of religious music found in my locality are of Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs, Jews and the Baha’is. The Christians sing hymns, the Hindus bhajans, while the Muslims offers namaaz five times a day. The Bahai’s believe in world unity and peace.

Question 2: Will the government intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide? Give reasons for your answer.

Answer: Yes, the Government will definitely intervene if some religious group says that their religion allows them to practice infanticide. Infanticide involves the killing of an infant (a small child) which is clearly a cruel crime. This practice violates the human right ‘ Right to Life’. Also, it creates a threat to social harmony.

Question 3: Complete the following table:

Objective	Why is this 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:

Objective	Why is this important?	Example of a violation of this objective
One religious community does not dominate another.	This is important to protect the Fundamental Right to Freedom of Religion.	The demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya on 6th December, 1992 by Hindu nationalists is an example of the violation of the objective. Hindu nationalists turned violent, overwhelmed security forces and demolished the mosque.
The State does not enforce any particular religion nor take away the religious freedom of individuals.	This is important to uphold the ideals of a democratic nation which allows its choose whichever religion they wish to follow.	In February 2004, the French government banned headscarves and turbans in public places, thereby hurting the sentiments of Muslim and Sikh minorities.
That some members do not dominate other members of the same religious community.	This is necessary to uphold individual freedom to practise religion in the light of pressure from the group or religious community that one belongs to.	The Christian community is divided into Protestants and Catholics; Irish Catholics are looked down upon and troubled by the officials of the Church of England who are pre- dominantly Protestants.

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

Answer: 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: Among Muslims, many people believe in ‘Parda system’, whereas many do not approve of it and see it as interference in the freedom of women. Another example is that of Hindus; some Hindus keep fasts on certain festivals, others do not.

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: The Indian state both keeps away from religion, as well as intervenes in religion. The centeral as well as state governments declare holidays on the occasions of festivals belonging to different religions, but no religious function is celebrated by any of the governments. People of the country are free to celebrate these religious festivals in their own way. However, the Indian state comes to intervene only if any religious practice disturbs the harmony of the country. If a section of the people belonging to the same religion are denied the right to enter their place of worship then the state can intervene to resolve the issue and help the deprived section regain its rights.