Religious Freedom — Current Affairs 2026
Current Affairs Connections
Karnataka High Court Upholds Hijab Ban in Educational Institutions
March 2022The Karnataka High Court's decision to uphold the ban on hijab in educational institutions directly engages with the tension between religious freedom under Article 25 and the state's power to regulate educational institutions under Article 28. The court held that wearing hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam and that reasonable restrictions can be imposed in educational settings for maintaining discipline and secular character. This case highlights the ongoing debate about religious symbols in public spaces and the application of the essential religious practices doctrine to contemporary issues. The judgment also raises questions about the balance between individual religious freedom and institutional autonomy, particularly in the context of educational institutions' dress codes and uniform policies.
UPSC Angle: Expected questions focus on the essential religious practices doctrine, reasonable restrictions on religious freedom, Article 28's application to educational institutions, and the balance between religious expression and institutional discipline. Current affairs questions may test understanding of court judgments and their constitutional basis.
Supreme Court Notice on Places of Worship Act 1991 Constitutional Challenge
December 2023The Supreme Court's decision to issue notice on petitions challenging the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991 brings renewed focus to the intersection of religious freedom, historical justice, and communal harmony. The Act, which freezes the religious character of all places of worship as they existed on August 15, 1947, is being challenged on grounds that it violates the right to judicial remedy and religious freedom. Petitioners argue that the Act prevents the restoration of temples allegedly destroyed during medieval invasions, while supporters contend it prevents communal conflicts and maintains secular values. This development connects to broader debates about historical wrongs, religious freedom, and the state's role in managing religious disputes.
UPSC Angle: Questions may focus on the constitutional validity of the Places of Worship Act, the balance between religious freedom and communal harmony, the state's power to regulate religious disputes, and the relationship between historical justice and contemporary constitutional values. Expect analysis-based questions on secularism and religious freedom.