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.

There are many examples which makes it clear that Indian State keeps away from interfering in religion. Some of these are as follows:

(a) India State has no religion of its own.

(b) Promotion of any religion by displaying anything from government institution is not allowed.

(c) Government schools are not allowed to promote any religion in their programs or functions.

(d) No community is dominated by other in our country.

Some examples of interference in Religion are as follows:

(a) Untouchability is banned in order to end the age-old religious exclusion and discrimination against lower castes.

(b) Sikhs have been permitted not to wear helmet as asked by the law as wearing of turban is essential to the Sikh religion.

(c) Some seats have been reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Schedule Tribes in government services and educational institutions.