Right to religious freedom [Art. 25-28] UPSC

In this article, we will discuss the right to religious freedom in a simple and easy way, and try to understand its various important aspects.

So to understand well, definitely read the article till the end and also read other articles related to this topic. Fundamental Rights

Religion is not just a system of worship but it is the identity of our existence. And any civilized country will definitely give the right to maintain this identity of ours.

Read in Hindi

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This article is a continuation of the previous articles written on Fundamental Rights. We have discussed the Right to Equality, Right to Freedom and Right against Exploitation, must read that too.

Chapters of Content

what is religion?

Religion is an organized collection of beliefs, socio-cultural systems, shared behavior and world views that link humanity to a sequence of existence.

Religion is usually a symbol, sacred history or text, system of worship and ideology whose main purpose is to explain the meaning of life, its origin or the universe.

Apart from this, religion includes rituals, preaching, remembrance or veneration of gods and goddesses, sacrifices, festivals, initiation, funeral services, matrimonial services, meditation, music, art, dance, service to human beings etc.

It means to say that religion is not a small thing that should be underestimated, but I believe that religion is like CO2 in the atmosphere, which is dangerous even if it decreases and is dangerous even if it becomes more. But if it is balanced, then it is a wonderful thing.

Religion Census 2011

So overall it is very important to maintain religion, that is why religious freedom is necessary. Secularism is also necessary so that religion should not affect the state too much. Our constitution ensures both of these.

Right to religious freedom and its types

Religious freedom is also mentioned in our preamble and this shows its importance. Religious freedom should also be given priority. Because in a way, our values, our social norms are largely driven by religion.

However, sometimes as much as it serves to connect, it also creates separation. But if we give freedom to religions so that they can update themselves with the changing times (that too acknowledging the presence of other religions), then there is nothing wrong with it.

Perhaps that is why we chose the path of secularism so that all religions can unite to establish a multi-religious society with a common goal of making India prosperous.

There are a total of four articles in the ‘ Right to Religious Freedom ‘ . Which you can see in the chart below.

right to religious freedom
Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and free belief, conduct and propagation of religion Article 26 – Freedom to manage religious affairs Article 27 – Freedom from payment of taxes for the promotion of religion Article 28 – Freedom to attend religious education

Article 25 – Freedom of conscience and free to profess, practice and propagate religion

Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons shall have an equal right to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion.

Overall, Article 25 ensures personal religious freedom. It has a total of four terms. All four mean something like this.

Freedom of conscience – Inner freedom for all to make their own relationship with God or His forms in their own way.

In other words, any person can have whatever relationship he wants with his God. If one wants, one can become a devotee of God and if one wants, one can also become a friend. So in this matter do whatever your conscience says.

Right to believe – Right to declare one’s religious belief and faith in public without fear

To say, many people believe that there is no such thing as God. Still, if you believe that there is a God, then believe him openly. Believe in the form of God that you want to believe. Believe as you want because it is your fundamental right.

Right to conduct – Right to perform religious rituals, customs or any ceremony and display one’s beliefs and ideas

It simply means that you can worship God in any way you want, in whatever way you want.

Right of propagation – and finally the right to propagate your religion has also been given so that you can spread your religion, spread its good things; So that there should be a kind of continuity in religion.

However, this does not mean converting at all. Because to do so would amount to encroaching upon the freedom of conscience of that person.

Article 26 – Freedom to manage religious affairs

While Article 25 gives the right to individual religious freedom, Article 26 ensures the right to collective religious freedom.

Meaning that it ensures the right to religious freedom of religious groups, organizations, trusts etc. It talks about the following rights.

(a) it gives the right to establish and run institutions for religious purposes,

(b) gives the right to manage the affairs relating to his religion,

(d) gives the right to use such property according to the law.

Meaning overall, according to this article you can create a religious institution, run it according to your own way, earn money from it and can also use that money.

Article 27 – Freedom from payment of taxes for promotion of religion

No person shall be compelled to pay such taxes which are specifically appropriated for expenditure for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination.

As we know India follows secularism. That is, people can have their own religion here, but the state will not have any religion of its own.

Beyond this, it is written in this article that – The state will not use the public money which comes in the form of tax for any religious work nor will the state promote any religion.

It means to say that either there is no religion in the eyes of the state or all religions are equal in its eyes. Anyway, the work of the state is the welfare of the people and not the welfare of religion.

Article 28 – Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction

It basically talks about where religious education can be given and where it cannot. The following are some of its provisions.

(1) No religious instruction of any kind shall be imparted in any educational institution which is wholly maintained by the State.

(2) But such an institution whose administration is being ruled by the state but it has been established by a trust, then religious education can be given there.

(3) Similarly, if an institution is recognized by the state or some grant is received by the state but its administration is not in the hands of the state, then religious education can be given voluntarily in such institutions. That is, if a person wants, he can take religious education and if he wants, he may not.

Overall, this was the right to religious freedom, hopefully understandable. The links of other articles are being given below, be sure to read them also.

Click here for the Right to Education and Culture (Articles 29 and 30) .