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School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India: Everyday Practice in Azad Bharat Vidyalaya. Education and Society in South Asia

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Title: School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India: Everyday Practice in Azad Bharat Vidyalaya. Education and Society in South Asia
Language: English
Authors: Devika Mittal
Source: Oxford University Press. 2026.
Availability: Oxford University Press. 198 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016. Tel: 800-445-9714; Fax: 919-677-1303; e-mail: custserv.us@oup.com; Web site: http://www.oup.com/us
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 234
Publication Date: 2026
Intended Audience: Teachers; Policymakers
Document Type: Book
Reports - Evaluative
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, School Culture, Religious Factors, Educational Objectives, Educational Practices, Nationalism, Religion, Equal Education, Social Justice, Citizenship, Social Class, Community
Geographic Terms: India
ISBN: 978-0-19-899360-5
Abstract: The Constitution of India upholds secularism as a key ideal. Although the 42nd amendment to the Preamble to the Constitution officially declared India to be a 'sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic', the Constitution itself does not prescribe a specific definition of secularism. Given their close relationship with the State, Indian schools are expected to uphold Constitutional ideals, including secularism. "School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India" journeys into the life of a government-aided, non-religious school in Delhi to explore how the abstract concept of secularism is interpreted and enacted therein. Unpacking the school culture, this book offers insights into the nature of secularism in India. It reveals layers of conformity and contestation of the school's goals in general and its conception and practice of secularism in particular. The notion of secularism is interwoven with nationalism, religion, and community-based assertions, and grounded in the concepts of equality and social justice. Exploring the plural, and even competing, narratives of secularism emerging from these intersections, the author argues that these are not confined to the school alone but mirror the paradox of secularism in the Indian society.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Access URL: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/school-as-a-secular-space-in-contemporary-india-9780198993605
Accession Number: ED680537
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Constitution of India upholds secularism as a key ideal. Although the 42nd amendment to the Preamble to the Constitution officially declared India to be a 'sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic', the Constitution itself does not prescribe a specific definition of secularism. Given their close relationship with the State, Indian schools are expected to uphold Constitutional ideals, including secularism. "School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India" journeys into the life of a government-aided, non-religious school in Delhi to explore how the abstract concept of secularism is interpreted and enacted therein. Unpacking the school culture, this book offers insights into the nature of secularism in India. It reveals layers of conformity and contestation of the school's goals in general and its conception and practice of secularism in particular. The notion of secularism is interwoven with nationalism, religion, and community-based assertions, and grounded in the concepts of equality and social justice. Exploring the plural, and even competing, narratives of secularism emerging from these intersections, the author argues that these are not confined to the school alone but mirror the paradox of secularism in the Indian society.
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 234
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Culture
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Religious Factors
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Objectives
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Practices
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      – SubjectFull: Nationalism
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Religion
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      – SubjectFull: Equal Education
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      – SubjectFull: Social Justice
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      – SubjectFull: Citizenship
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      – SubjectFull: Social Class
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      – SubjectFull: Community
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      – SubjectFull: India
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      – TitleFull: School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India: Everyday Practice in Azad Bharat Vidyalaya. Education and Society in South Asia
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            NameFull: Devika Mittal
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              Y: 2026
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