A secular state must grant equal treatment across all religious communities

Evidence

As Aiyar further notes, a secular state is one that concerns “itself not with religion but with protection of all, equal opportunity for all, equitable benefits for all. No religious community should be singled out for favours; no religious community should be subjected to any disability or disadvantage” (Ibid: 6). — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Ideology, 312

Categorization

• DEFINE: States the affirmative definition of secularism as equal treatment, not hostility to religion — useful contrast against which Sinhalese Buddhist majoritarian ideology is measured.
• XREF: connects to: South Asian secularism means equal respect for all religions rather than state neutrality. — Neil DeVotta, Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist…, 136; Egyptian state secularism regulates religious practice into state-endorsed forms — Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety: The Islamic Revival…, 533; Religious liberty bills favor one precise creed over all others — Katherine Stewart, The Power Worshippers: Inside the…, 646

Broader Connections

• Egyptian state secularism regulates religious practice into state-endorsed forms #qualifies (0.72) — Saba Mahmood, Politics of Piety, 533