Religious Freedom — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

Commissioner, Hindu Religious Endowments, Madras v. Sri Lakshmindra Thirtha Swamiar of Sri Shirur Mutt

1954

This foundational case established the essential religious practices doctrine and defined the scope of religious denomination rights under Article 26. The Supreme Court held that…

S.R. Bommai v. Union of India

1994

While primarily a case about federalism and Article 356, this landmark judgment extensively discussed secularism and religious freedom. The Supreme Court held that secularism is…

Aruna Roy v. Union of India

2002

This case clarified the scope of Article 27 regarding compulsory payment of taxes for religious purposes. The Supreme Court held that the prohibition applies only to taxes…

Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala Case)

2018

This controversial case involved the entry of women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple. The Supreme Court held that excluding women based on biological characteristics…

Ratilal Panachand Gandhi v. State of Bombay

1954

This case defined the scope of the right to propagate religion under Article 25. The Supreme Court held that the right to propagate includes the right to communicate religious…