‘India is a secular country’. What does this mean?


Since the beginning of time, India has been a secular state.
Around 2200 years ago, Ashoka tolerated and patronised several religions.
People in ancient India had religious freedom, and the state granted citizenship to everyone, regardless of whether they practised Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, or any other religion.
The coexistence of religions and a spirit of acceptance of diverse faiths may be seen in the Ellora cave temples, which were built close to each other between the 5th and 10th centuries.
Another notable king, Akbar, advocated for the fusion of ideas, claiming equality between Islam and India’s other religions, prohibiting forced conversions to Islam, abolishing discriminatory Jizya taxes based on religion, and welcoming the construction of Hindu temples.

Final Answer:

This means that people of all faiths and beliefs are free to practise and follow their religion without fear of discrimination.