Secular State Concept — Landmark Judgments

Landmark Judgments

S.R. Bommai v. Union of India

1994

This landmark judgment by a nine-judge bench of the Supreme Court unequivocally declared secularism as a 'basic feature' of the Indian Constitution. The Court held that the state…

Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala

1973

While not directly about secularism, this judgment is foundational as it propounded the 'Basic Structure Doctrine' of the Constitution. The Court held that Parliament's power to…

Aruna Roy Singh and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors.

2002

This case dealt with the introduction of religious education (specifically, 'value education' including aspects of various religions) in the school curriculum. The Supreme Court…

Shayara Bano v. Union of India (Triple Talaq Case)

2017

The Supreme Court, in a landmark 3:2 majority judgment, declared the practice of instant triple talaq (talaq-e-biddat) unconstitutional. The majority held that this practice…