Debating Secularism

First person: Why are some politicians afraid of India’s long-standing expressions of pluralism?

The words of a police constable in Madhya Pradesh offer food for thought in these polarised times.

Tanya Shrivastava
· Sep 28, 2025 · 08:00 am
Headscarf ban: In France, Muslim symbols are religious but Catholic symbols are cultural

Traditions rooted in Christian culture are more likely to be considered cultural and thus compatible with both secularism and ‘Frenchness’.

Carol Ferrara, The Conversation
· Oct 11, 2023 · 10:00 pm
Contrary to Macron’s belief, France doesn’t need to build a new ‘Enlightenment Islam’

The French president’s analysis concludes that Islam is somehow at odds with modern Western society. But the reality is more complicated.

Ahmet T Kuru, The Conversation
· Oct 21, 2020 · 09:30 pm

Why is Nusrat’s Rath Yatra visit viewed as secular but Mamata’s iftar party as minority appeasement?

Majoritarianism is being packaged as a positive feature in New India.

Shoaib Daniyal
· Jul 07, 2019 · 06:30 am
‘Secular’ is a lie, government can’t be run by one way of prayer, says Adityanath

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also accused the Congress of dividing the country on the lines of caste and religion.

Scroll Staff
· Nov 14, 2017 · 09:57 am
Nepal's new constitution comes into force on Sunday, but minorities say it privileges Hindus

The new statute claims to enshrine secularism but states that it will protect Sanatan religion culture.

Gyanu Adhikari
· Sep 20, 2015 · 10:30 am

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Debating Secularism

First person: Why are some politicians afraid of India’s long-standing expressions of pluralism?

The words of a police constable in Madhya Pradesh offer food for thought in these polarised times.

Tanya Shrivastava · Sep 28, 2025 · 08:00 am

Headscarf ban: In France, Muslim symbols are religious but Catholic symbols are cultural

Traditions rooted in Christian culture are more likely to be considered cultural and thus compatible with both secularism and ‘Frenchness’.

Carol Ferrara, The Conversation · Oct 11, 2023 · 10:00 pm

Contrary to Macron’s belief, France doesn’t need to build a new ‘Enlightenment Islam’

The French president’s analysis concludes that Islam is somehow at odds with modern Western society. But the reality is more complicated.

Ahmet T Kuru, The Conversation · Oct 21, 2020 · 09:30 pm

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Why is Nusrat’s Rath Yatra visit viewed as secular but Mamata’s iftar party as minority appeasement?

Majoritarianism is being packaged as a positive feature in New India.

Shoaib Daniyal · Jul 07, 2019 · 06:30 am

‘Secular’ is a lie, government can’t be run by one way of prayer, says Adityanath

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister also accused the Congress of dividing the country on the lines of caste and religion.

Scroll Staff · Nov 14, 2017 · 09:57 am

Nepal's new constitution comes into force on Sunday, but minorities say it privileges Hindus

The new statute claims to enshrine secularism but states that it will protect Sanatan religion culture.

Gyanu Adhikari · Sep 20, 2015 · 10:30 am

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Watch our live discussion: What next as youth storm Delhi

Jul 20, 2026 · 06:05 pm

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Jul 19, 2026 · 08:55 am

Eco India, Episode 329: How cities around the world are beating extreme heat

Jul 18, 2026 · 03:25 pm

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Jul 12, 2026 · 08:55 am

Eco India, Episode 328: Meet the Indians rebuilding ecosystems from the ground up

Jul 11, 2026 · 03:25 pm

Take Scroll With You

Tanya Shrivastava
· Sep 28, 2025 · 08:00 am

Carol Ferrara, The Conversation
· Oct 11, 2023 · 10:00 pm

Ahmet T Kuru, The Conversation
· Oct 21, 2020 · 09:30 pm

Shoaib Daniyal
· Jul 07, 2019 · 06:30 am

Scroll Staff
· Nov 14, 2017 · 09:57 am

Gyanu Adhikari
· Sep 20, 2015 · 10:30 am