School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India: Everyday Practice in Azad Bharat Vidyalaya

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Devika Mittal (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi)

School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India

Name: School as a Secular Space in Contemporary India
Price: 208.95 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9780198993605

Everyday Practice in Azad Bharat Vidyalaya

Devika Mittal (Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi)

$208.95

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Oxford University Press
16 April 2026

Social & cultural anthropology; Educational strategies & policy; Faith (religious) schools; Teaching of special educational needs

Series: Education and Society in South Asia

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.

By: Devika Mittal (Assistant Professor Assistant Professor Department of Sociology Jesus and Mary College University of Delhi)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 140mm,
ISBN: 9780198993605
ISBN 10: 0198993609
Series: Education and Society in South Asia
Pages: 240
Publication Date: 16 April 2026
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Devika Mittal is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi. She holds a doctorate degree from the Department of Sociology, Delhi School of Economics. Her areas of interest include nationalism, secularism, peace and conflict studies, and education. Dr. Mittal is also a peace educator and has co-founded Aaghaz-e-Dosti, a cross-border India-Pakistan peacebuilding initiative.