Article 25
Freedom of Religion
Article 25 guarantees all persons the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health. Its Explanation II specifically notes that references to "Hindus" in the article shall be construed to include persons professing Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist religion — a provision often cited in temple entry debates.
- Article 25(2)(b) expressly empowers the state to make laws providing for the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions of a public character to all classes and sections of Hindus.
- This provision was the constitutional basis for state laws (e.g., the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship Act, 1965) mandating temple access regardless of caste.
- Article 25 is an individual right — it protects the believer's freedom, not the institution's right to exclude.
- The Shirur Mutt case (1954) established the "essential religious practices" doctrine — courts can examine whether a practice is essential to a religion before granting constitutional protection.
● Tracked since March 07, 2026 · last seen September 24, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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11 Mar '26
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