If one religion has the control of the State power, then it will affect the freedom of all the individuals in the society and eventually the citizens of the whole country. The minorities will be suppressed by the majority. It will also prevent the freedom of the individuals to exit from their religion and to embrace another religion or to interpret religious teachings of his/her religion differently.

The main features of secularism in India are as follows:
(i) Separation of minority rights.
(ii) Promotion of minority rights.
(iii) Inter-religious equality.
(iv) State has no religion of its own.
(v) Giving aid to religious educational institutions on the basis of equality.
(vi) No patronage to any religion and no discrimination against any religion.
(vii) Citizens are entitled to freely profess, practice and propagate the religion of their choice In which they have faith.

India is indeed a secular state. It means that the state has no religion of its own. The state is neither religious nor anti-religious. In the Indian Constitution, from Articles 25 to 28, right to freedom of religion has been granted to all persons residing in India. According to Article 25, subject to public order and morality, everybody is entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely practice and propagate the religion of their choice. The Government of India or any other person cannot interfere in the religious affairs of the individuals, otherwise the citizens have the right to go to the court.

(i) In India, the objectives for secularism laid-down by the Constitution of India are same on some points, but the major difference we find is the clause of State intervention in religious affairs.
(ii) This clause allows the State to deal with any issue related to religion, which affects a society broadly. e.g. (a) Indian Constitution intervened in Hindu religious practices to abolish untouchability. (b) In India, the Fundamental Rights are based on the principle of secularism.

(i) In U.S.A, the Constitution forbids the legislature from making any law, that can help the cause of founding of a religion or free exercise of any religion or religion related activity.
(ii) The legislature cannot declare any religion as the official belief and nor it can give preference to any religion.
(iii) In U.S.A., the state is separate from religion, which means State or religion cannot interfere in spheres of each other.

India followed three approaches to ensure secularism in India as:
(i) Firstly, it follows the policy of estrangement from any religion. The government of India does not support any religion or related regime and it never allows its premises to organize any religious activity.
(ii) Secondly, it follows the policy of non-interference. The government, in order to respect the sentiments of all religions and religious practices, has made certain exceptions for religious traditions and rites, e.g. Sikhs are allowed to wear pugri (turban) anywhere.
(iii) Thirdly, it follows the policy of intervention in matters, which can affect society, e.g. the government made laws to abolish untouchability prevailing in Hindu religion.

A state governed directly by a priestly order is called theocratic. The Theocratic states, such as the papal states of Europe in medieval times or the Taliban controlled states, lacking separation between religious and political institutions are known for their hierarchies and oppression and reluctance to allow freedom of religion to the members of other religious groups.

The children in the government schools of US start their day by taking the 'Pledge of Allegiance'. The Pledge of Allegiance to the United States is an oath of loyalty to the republic of the United States of America. The Pledge has been modified four times since then, with the most recent change adding the words "under God" in 1954. The Pledge of Allegiance reads: "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all".

The American concept of Secularism means the separation of religion and state. They both have separate sphere of their own jurisdiction. No religious classification can be on the basis of any public policy. State cannot aid any religious institution. It cannot extend financial support to educational institutions run by religious communities. Religion is totally a private matter and not a matter of state policy or law.

The first constitutional amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibits the legislature from making any law with respect to a religion. Also, it prohibits the free exercise of religion. In the United States, the religious civil liberties are guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law respecting the establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of greviances".

When one religion is provided with official status by the State at the expense of other religion, then there is a chance of discrimination, exclusion and persecution on the grounds of religion. For instance, in past times, Jews were persecuted in Germany under Hitler's rule. Today, in Israel, the Jews treat Muslims and Christians minorities inhumanly. In Saudi Arabia, non-Muslims are not allowed to build their worship places and also they are not allowed to gather in public for prayers. Therefore, state should remain aloof from religion.

The Fundamental Rights of the Indian citizens which are based on the secular principles have been violated from time to time. Sometimes, some people from minority have moved to Internal Human Rights Commission. The know how about violation of rights of children and women, etc. makes us sensitive about them and enables us to take action when these violations take place.

There is one significant way in which Indian secularism differs from the dominant understanding of secularism as practised in other countries, such as U.S.A.This is because unlike the strict separation between religion and the state in American secularism, in Indian secularism, the state can intervene in religious affairs. This means that any interference in religion by the state has to be based on the ideals laid out in the constitution.

The communal riots in 2002 were a clear violation of the secular ideals of the Constitution. The incident happened in the State of Gujarat which is located in the Western part of India. A large number of people of one community were killed and harmed ruthlessly because of their religious backgrounds.

Yes, there can be different views within the same religion. We have ample evidence of that from history. There are different sects within Hinduism with different views like Vaishnavites, Shaivires, Arya Samajists and those believing in Sanatan Dharma. Even today, people within the same religion can have different views and opinions regarding its thoughts, rituals and beliefs. For example, one follower of Hinduism may believe in rituals, sacrifices and fasting while another follower may not. Both are entitled to follow and interpret the religion in their own personal ways.