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India-Turkey: A Comparative Study of Secularism

Nazir Hussain, Ripu Sudan Singh

This comparative study examines the concepts and practices of secularism in India and Turkey. Both countries have experienced a long history of state and religion interplay, with India being predominantly Hindu and Turkey being predominantly Muslim. Despite their different religious and cultural backgrounds, both India and Turkey have embraced secularism as a foundational principle of their modern state-building process. This paper analyzes the various factors that have influenced the development of secularism in these two countries, including their respective histories, political ideologies and legal frameworks. It also examines the similarities and differences in the implementation of secularism in India and Turkey, including the role of the state, the relationship between religion and politics and the protection of religious minorities. The study finds that while India and Turkey have both sought to embrace secularism as a means of promoting diversity and pluralism, the practical implementation of secularism has been challenged by various social, political, and religious factors. The study concludes that a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics of secularism in India and Turkey can provide insights into the challenges and opportunities facing secular democracies in diverse societies.