Asymmetric, Pluralistic or Distinctive? Secularism in India and Malaysia within Comparative Perspective

Abstract

This article explores the nuanced and complex nature of secularism in India and Malaysia, challenging the notion of a fixed, universal definition. It examines how these countries, despite their diverse religious landscapes, have adopted distinct approaches to secular governance. In India, secularism is seen as a principle of impartiality in religious matters, reflected in the Constitution's provisions for religious freedom and equality. However, the article also delves into the challenges and contradictions within Indian secularism, such as the Shah Bano case, which revealed tensions between religious personal laws and secular principles. On the other hand, Malaysia's approach to secularism is markedly different, with Islam being declared the supreme religion and influencing state laws and institutions. Despite this, Malaysia's constitution is secular, and the article discusses how the country navigates between Islamic and secular governance, as seen in legal interpretations and the dual legal system. Overall, the article argues for a reevaluation of secularism, proposing a framework that considers the diversity of secular practices globally and evaluates them based on principles of religious freedom, equality, and tolerance.

Keywords

• secularism
• India
• Malaysia
• state
• religion

Asimetrik, Çoğulcu veya Farklı mı? Karşılaştırmalı Perspektifle Hindistan ve Malezya'da Laiklik

Öz

Bu makale, Hindistan ve Malezya'da laikliğin karmaşık ve nüanslı doğasını ele alarak, sabit ve evrensel bir tanımın sorgulanmasını amaçlamaktadır. Makale, söz konusu ülkelerin, çeşitli dini görünümlerine rağmen, laik yönetimlere farklı yaklaşımlar benimsediğini inceler. Hindistan'da laiklik, dini meselelerde tarafsızlık ilkesi olarak görülmekte olup, Anayasa'nın dini özgürlük ve eşitlik için getirdiği hükümlerde yansıtılmaktadır. Bununla birlikte, makale, Hindistan'daki laikliğin içerdiği zorluklar ve çelişkileri Shah Bano davası örneğiyle ele almakta dini medeni hukuk ile laik prensipler arasındaki gerilimleri ortaya koymaktadır. Öte yandan, Malezya'nın laikliğe yaklaşımı belirgin bir şekilde farklıdır, İslam'ın üstün din ilan edilmesi ve devlet yasaları ile kurumlarını etkilemesiyle belirgindir. Buna rağmen Malezya'nın anayasası laiktir ve makale, Malezya’nın İslami ve laik yönetim arasında nasıl gezindiğini, hukuki yorumlar ve çift hukuk sistemiyle göstermektedir. Genel olarak, makale, laikliğin yeniden değerlendirilmesini savunmakta, küresel olarak çeşitli laik uygulamaları dikkate alan ve bunları dini özgürlük, eşitlik ve hoşgörü prensipleri temelinde değerlendiren bir çerçeve önermektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• laiklik
• Hindistan
• Malezya
• devlet
• din

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