Laïcité is the constitutional principle of secularism in France, which discourages religious involvement in government affairs and forbids government involvement in religious affairs. It is neither a form of state atheism nor the outlawing of religion.
French secularism has a long history, and the French government policy has been based on the 1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State, which is not applicable in Alsace and Moselle. Laïcité roughly translates to “secularism” and was enacted by The Law of 1905, officially segregating the Church from the government. It emphasizes the freedom of conscience and religion and guarantees freedom of religion, but also freedom vis-à-vis religions: no one can be forced to respect religious dogma or prescriptions.
Laïcité and Indian Principle of secularism
- Laïcité emphasizes the freedom of conscience and religion and guarantees freedom of religion, but also freedom vis-à-vis religions. On the other hand, the Indian principle of secularism recognizes minority rights and allows state intervention in the dominant religion.
- While both countries consider secularism as part of their national identity, the French version of secularism is more focused on the formal separation of Church and State and the removal of religious values from the public space and their replacement with secular values such as liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- The French concept of laïcité is not fundamentally anti-religion but rather a principle emphasizing the freedom of conscience and religion. However, politicians have weaponized the French concept of laïcité to foster a hostile environment, which has led to criticism of laïcité for increasing police powers that could endanger respect for civil liberties and prompt radicalization.