What Has Been The Role Of Religion In Higher Education In India

Back to: Contemporary India and Education-Unit 1

India is a country where people of various religions reside. People may have different religious beliefs they follow and in the classroom, there may be learners belonging to different religions such as Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Islam, and more. Because there are many religions followed in India, giving importance to a particular religion may create conflicts and disrupt communal harmony. India is a secular state and hence, religion is not propagated in classrooms. Nonetheless, there may be some schools where learners may have separate subjects allowing them to study their religion.

Role of Religion in Higher Education in India

The role of religion in higher education is as follows.

Moral Values

Religion helps in spreading moral values to the learners. It helps them to develop values that prevent them from entering into activities that are considered to be sinful.

Spiritual development

Learners must understand the importance of inner peace from a young age and religious studies allows them to perform practices that enable them to lead a peaceful life.

Religion encourages learners to participate in communal activities which helps in their social development.

Mutual Respect

Religion influences learners by helping them follow a religion without disrespecting the beliefs of others.

Cultural Development

Religion educates learners about cultural practices and helps them understand their importance.

Accept Diversity

Religion educates learners by helping them accept people of different religions.

Multicultural understanding

India is a country filled with people of different religions and religious studies enable people to accept diversity and live in harmony.

Religion enables learners to develop a secular view of the country and the world. Learners can adapt to diversity and they can develop into individuals who can respect people of all religions.