Editing Separation of church and state (section)

===India===
{{Main|Secularism in India|Religion in India|Freedom of religion in India}}

The [[Constitution of India]] uses the word "Secular" in a very unique way, differing from the western concept of "Separation of the Church and the State". The western concept provides for a "vertical" separation in terms of position of the state and the religion in a political setup, where both co-exist. On the other hand, the [[Constitution of India]] defines secularism looking at the social implication of the religious practice. The article 25 of the constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion subject to public order, morality, health and Fundamental Rights. The same article empowers the state to regulate secular activities which may be associated with religious practice, thus allowing state interference in the religion.

Dr B. R. Ambedkar, highlighted the social implication of religion in India in the constituent assembly debates. While defending for the state interference in prohibiting religious instruction in schools, he argued, {{Blockquote|"... unfortunately the religions which prevail in this country are not merely non-social; so far as their mutual relations are concerned, they are anti-social, one religion claiming that its teachings constitute the only right path for salvation, that all other religions are wrong. The Muslims believe that anyone who does not believe in the dogma of Islam is a fakir not entitled to brotherly treatment with the Muslims. The Christians have a similar belief. In view of this, it seems to me that we should be considerably disturbing the peaceful atmosphere of an institution if these controversies with regard to the truthful character of any particular religion and the erroneous character of the other were brought into juxtaposition in the school itself."<ref>{{cite web|title=CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY DEBATES OFFICIAL REPORT, Volume VII, 7th December 1948|url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/762993/1/cad_07-12-1948.pdf |publisher=The Parliament of India, Digital Library |pages=884}}</ref>}} On the same lines of social implication of the religion the constitution enables the state to open the Hindu temples for all classes and sections of society. 

In S. R. Bommai vs Union of India, 1994, the Supreme Court laid down the principle of "Positive Secularism" and a "horizontal" separation of secular - material world from a religious - spiritual world. Matters which are purely religious are left personal to the individual and the secular part is taken charge by the state on grounds of public interest, order and general welfare. Positive secularism, therefore, separates the religious faith personal to man and limited to material, temporal aspects of human life. Positive secularism believes in the basic values of freedom, equality and fellowship <ref>{{cite web|title=S.R. Bommai vs Union Of India on 11 March, 1994|url=https://cjp.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/S.R._Bommai_vs_Union_Of_India_on_11_March_1994-1-DONE.pdf |publisher=Supreme Court of India|pages=87–89}}</ref>