
Articles of Faith
Religion, Secularism, and the Indian Supreme Court
Ronojoy Sen(Author)
OUP India (Publisher)
Published on 31. January 2013
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-19-808535-5 (ISBN)
Description
This book examines the relationship of religion and the Indian state and seeks to answer the question: 'How has the higher judiciary in Independent India interpreted the right to freedom of religion and in turn influenced the discourse on secularism and nationhood?' The author examines the tension between judgments that attempt to define the essence of religion and in many ways to 'rationalize' it, and a society where religion occupies a prominent space. He places
the judicial discourse within the wider political and philosophical context of Indian secularism. The author also focuses on judgments related to Article 44, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, which places a duty on the state to 'secure' a uniform civil code for the nation. His contention
is that the Indian Supreme Court has actively aimed at reform and rationalization of obscurantist religious views and institutions and has, as a result, contributed to a 'homogenization of religion' and also the nation, that it has not shown adequate sensitivity to the pluralism of Indian polity and the rights of minorities.
the judicial discourse within the wider political and philosophical context of Indian secularism. The author also focuses on judgments related to Article 44, under the Directive Principles of State Policy, which places a duty on the state to 'secure' a uniform civil code for the nation. His contention
is that the Indian Supreme Court has actively aimed at reform and rationalization of obscurantist religious views and institutions and has, as a result, contributed to a 'homogenization of religion' and also the nation, that it has not shown adequate sensitivity to the pluralism of Indian polity and the rights of minorities.
Reviews / Votes
fabulous ... Sen does an excellent job laying down the historical foundations of the arguments he is dealing with ... He is a strong advocate of the judicial system and it is precisely his care and concern for it that animates this book * Omair Ahmad, Asian Age *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Delhi
India
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 217 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 14 mm
Weight
310 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-19-808535-5 (9780198085355)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ronojoy Sen has been a Visiting Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy, Washington, D.C. He has been awarded a PhD by the University of Chicago, Department of Political Science. He was also Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India.
Author
Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore
Content
PREFACE ; INTRODUCTION ; 1. : DEFINING RELIGION: THE SUPREME COURT AND HINDUISM ; 2. : THE DOCTRINE OF ESSENTIAL PRACTICES: THE JUDGES SHAPE A RATIONAL HINDUISM ; 3. : IN THE NAME OF GOD: REGULATING RELIGION IN ELECTIONS ; 4. : GOOD CITIZENS: RELIGION AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS ; 5. : BOUNDARIES OF FAITH: THE COURT AND CONVERSION ; 6. : IMPOSING LEGAL UNIFORMITY: THE COURT AND MUSLIM MINORITY RIGHTS ; 7. : JUDGING RELIGION: A NEHRUVIAN IN COURT ; 8. : CONCLUSION ; SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY ; CASE INDEX ; SUBJECT INDEX