RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN INDIA

1. RELIGION AND SOCIETY IN INDIA

A. Religion, Cultural Diversity & Pluralism

1. How do religious communities contribute to the cultural diversity of India? (2024)
2. Write a note on ‘cultural pluralism’ in multi–religious society like India. (2020)
3. Can religion form a sufficient basis of forming cultural identity in India? Comment. (2009)
4. Describe the indicators of secularism. In your opinion, is it being practiced in letter and spirit in present-day Indian society? (2006)
5. Is Secularism a weak ideology? Critically analyse the reasons for anti-secular trends in India. (2002)
6. Explain the concept of secular state and discuss the problems of India as a secular state. (2001)
7. Write short note: Secularism. (1999)
8. Write short note: Pattern of secularism in India. (1996)
9. Explain issues emerging from inter-religion interaction in India today. Evaluate them in the context of secularism in India. (1993)
10. Write short note: Plural society and secularism. (1991)
11. Write short note: Secularism as a scientific concept. (1989)

B. Religious Minorities & Problems

1. What do you mean by nation building? What is the role of religion in nation building? Elaborate your answer. (20 marks) (2025)
2. Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India and suggest measures to solve them. (2022)
3. How do you understand the ‘minority’ question? Examine the violence and discrimination against the religious minorities in India. (2019)
4. Write a critical narrative on the concerns of religious minorities in India. (2018)
5. Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India. (2014)
6. Write short note: Problems of religious minorities. (2007)
7. Define religious minority. Discuss the problems of religious minorities in India. (1999)
8. Discuss the constitutional safeguards for religious minority groups and account for increasing religious fundamentalism in India. (1998)
9. Write short note: Minority status and religious conversions. (1994)
10. Discuss the factors responsible for the growing feeling of alienation among the religious minorities in India. How can they be made to overcome this feeling? (1986)

C. Religious Sects, Saints & Reform

1. Do you think that the Indian saints have brought about social reform and awareness in Indian society? Explain. (2019)
2. Discuss the growth of religious sects in India. (2018)
3. What are the basic tenets of Hindu religion? Is Hinduism based on monotheism or polytheism? (2015)
4. Write short note with a sociological perspective: The Parsi community and its contribution to Indian society. (2010)

D. Religious Fundamentalism & Communalism

1. Elucidate the concepts of ‘majoritarianism’ and ‘minoritarianism’ in accentuating communal tensions in India. (2016)
2. Examine the impact of secularization on various religious communities in India. (2012)
3. Discuss the major problems of religious fundamentalism in contemporary India. Give suggestions to tackle these problems. (2007)
4. Write short note: Religious fundamentalism. (2005, 2000)
5. Describe the socio-economic factors responsible for communal tensions in India. What suggestions will you give to control them? (2003)
6. Write short note: Communal tensions in India. (1997)
7. Write short note: Minority groups and communalism. (1993)
8. Write short note: Religious and ethnic conflict in India. (1985)
9. Write short note: Communal tensions – their economic and social background. (1986)

E. Islam, Muslim Society & Legal Issues

1. Assess the impact of ban on “Triple Talak” on marriage and divorce among the Muslim community in India. (2018)
2. What are the distinct features of Islam as practised in India, and how have they changed over time? (2017)
3. Write short note: Problems of Hindu minority in Kashmir. (2002)
4. Write short note: Inequality among Brahmins. (2002)

F. Ethnicity, Nationalism & Integration

1. What are the major concerns of ethnic identity and religious identity in India? (2015)
2. How are the issues of ethnicity and nationalism related? Discuss in the context of the emergence of ethnonationalism in India. (2011)
3. Write short note: Religion and national integration in India. (1990)
4. Critically evaluate the role of religion and ethnicity in Indian politics since the First General Elections in 1952. (1990)
5. Write short note: Linguistic conflicts. (1988)

G. General / Miscellaneous

1. Write short note: Role of religion in civil society. (2004)
2. Write short note: Primitive Communism. (1993)