--- title: "What is Indian concept of panth nirpeksh and western concept of secularism?" description: "What is Indian concept of panth nirpeksh and western concept of secularism?" author: "Sanjay Goenka" published: 2023-06-30 updated: 2023-08-04 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/100156/what-is-indian-concept-of-panth-nirpeksh-and-western-concept-of-secularism category: "indian society & social issues" tags: ["society"] reading_time: 4 minutes --- # What is Indian concept of panth nirpeksh and western concept of secularism? ## Answers ### Answer by user - **Panth Nirpeksh** The Indian [concept](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/79/routing-concept-in-dot-net) of panth nirpeksh, or [secularism,](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/84010/why-secularism-is-like-cancer-in-india) is based on the idea of a state that is neutral towards religion. This means that the state does not [promote](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2338/elon-musk-claims-that-twitter-will-work-to-promote-citizen-journalism) any particular religion, and it does not interfere in the religious practices of its citizens. Panth nirpeksh is also known as "Sarva Dharma Samabhava," which means "[equal respect for all religions."](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85347/need-for-proper-laws-on-religious-conversion-in-india) - **Western Secularism** The Western concept of secularism is based on the idea of a separation of church and state. This means that the state does not interfere in the religious practices of its citizens, and the church does not interfere in the affairs of the state. Western secularism is also known as "laicism," which means "non-religious." ![What is Indian concept of panth nirpeksh and western concept of secularism?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/4166e11e-3a88-4617-a419-eb5939d0c723/images/236f62f6-81fb-40bd-b4e1-711eeaba26f3.jpg) The main [difference](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/398/difference-between-object-type-and-var-type) between panth nirpeksh and Western secularism is that panth nirpeksh does not require a separation of church and state. In India, the state can promote religious tolerance and harmony, while still recognizing the importance of religion in the lives of its citizens. Another difference is that panth nirpeksh is based on the concept of "dharma," which is a complex term that can refer to religion, law, morality, and duty. In India, secularism is seen as a way to uphold dharma and to promote [social](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/44257/the-impact-of-social-media-on-lawsuits) harmony. Western secularism, on the other hand, is based on the concept of "religion," which is a more narrow term that refers to a set of beliefs and practices about the supernatural. In the West, secularism is seen as a way to [protect](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/479/how-to-protect-special-characters-in-query-string) individual freedom and to prevent religious conflict. Both panth nirpeksh and Western secularism are important [concepts](https://www.mindstick.com/interview/490/explain-the-concepts-and-capabilities-of-assembly-in-dot-net) that have helped to shape the modern world. Panth nirpeksh is a unique Indian concept that reflects the [country](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2337/vikram-s-the-country-s-first-privately-developed-rocket-will-launch-on-november-15)'s rich religious diversity. Western secularism is a more familiar concept that has been [adopted](https://www.mindstick.com/news/2526/resolution-against-anti-satellite-tests-adopted-by-un-to-reduce-space-debris) by many countries around the world. ### Answer by Yashna Bawa The Indian concept of panth nirpeksh is often contrasted with the Western concept of secularism. Panth nirpeksh is a Sanskrit term that means "non-sectarian" or "unbiased." It is a principle that is enshrined in the Indian Constitution, which states that the state shall not [discriminate](https://www.mindstick.com/blog/301521/is-social-media-corrupting-the-idea-of-democracy) against any citizen on the basis of religion. ![What is Indian concept of panth nirpeksh and western concept of secularism?](https://answers.mindstick.com/questionanswer/4166e11e-3a88-4617-a419-eb5939d0c723/images/d253ef70-5f19-4e1e-b8c8-bb6b8c00bafb.jpg) The Western concept of secularism is often seen as being more separationist, with the state and religion being kept strictly separate. However, panth nirpeksh is not about separation. It is about ensuring that all religions are treated with equal respect and that no one religion is given preferential treatment by the state. In practice, panth nirpeksh means that the Indian government does not promote any particular religion. It also means that the government does not interfere in the affairs of religious organizations. This is in contrast to some Western countries, where the government may provide funding to religious schools or organizations. Panth nirpeksh is a relatively new concept in India. It was only enshrined in the Constitution in 1950. However, the principle of religious tolerance has a long history in India. The Mughal Empire, for example, was known for its religious tolerance. The Western concept of secularism is also relatively new. It came into being during the Enlightenment period, when there was a growing belief that religion should be separated from the state. This belief was based on the idea that religious freedom could only be guaranteed if the state did not interfere in religious matters. There are some similarities between panth nirpeksh and secularism. Both concepts emphasize the importance of religious freedom and tolerance. However, there are also some important differences. Panth nirpeksh is not as separationist as secularism. It allows for a greater degree of cooperation between the state and religion. The Indian concept of panth nirpeksh is still evolving. It is a work in progress. However, it is a principle that is essential to the Indian [democracy](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81846/democracy-elections-of-india). It ensures that all citizens, regardless of their religion, are treated with equal respect. Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between panth nirpeksh and secularism: | Feature | Panth Nirpeksh | Secularism | | --- | --- | --- | | Separation of state and religion | Not as separationist | More separationist | | Role of the state | May cooperate with religious organizations | Does not cooperate with religious organizations | | Religious freedom | Guaranteed | Guaranteed | | Religious tolerance | Emphasized | Emphasized | Overall, panth nirpeksh is a more inclusive and flexible concept than secularism. It allows for a greater degree of cooperation between the state and religion, while still guaranteeing religious freedom and tolerance. --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/100156/what-is-indian-concept-of-panth-nirpeksh-and-western-concept-of-secularism Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.