An Analysis of Articles 25-28 of the Indian Constitution: Safeguarding Religious Freedom and Secularism ~ Dr Manju Antil (Counselling Psychologist and Psychotherapist)

An Analysis of Articles 25-28 of the Indian Constitution: Safeguarding Religious Freedom and Secularism

Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights guarantees the right to freedom of religion.

The Indian Constitution, specifically Article 25, ensures that every citizen has the fundamental right to freely profess, practise, and propagate their religion. The aforementioned fundamental right serves as a testament to the nation's dedication to upholding religious freedom and fostering an environment of tolerance. It grants each individual the freedom to practise their religious beliefs without excessive intervention, while simultaneously being subject to considerations of public order, morality, and health. This article encompasses a diverse range of religious beliefs, effectively reconciling the rights of individuals with the collective interests of society.

Article 26: The Rights of Religious Denominations In this article, we will discuss the rights of religious denominations as outlined in international human rights law. The protection and promotion of religious freedom is a fundamental principle that ensures individuals and communities have the right to practise their religion without

In addition to Article 25, Article 26 grants individuals the ability to exercise control over matters pertaining to their religious beliefs and practises. This provision grants each religious denomination, or any subset thereof, the privilege of establishing and sustaining organisations dedicated to religious and philanthropic endeavours. Furthermore, it affirms their autonomy in religious affairs, including the ownership and acquisition of both tangible and intangible assets, and the lawful administration of those assets. This article facilitates religious organisations in the preservation and administration of their unique practises and institutions, hence strengthening the pluralistic nature of Indian society.

Article 27 of the legislation stipulates the prohibition of levying taxes for the explicit purpose of promoting or endorsing any particular religious belief or institution.

Article 27 of the legislation guarantees that individuals are not obligated to contribute financially through taxation towards the advancement or sustenance of any certain religious belief or denomination. This provision serves to guarantee the impartiality of the state in situations pertaining to religion and reasserts the secular nature of India. The principle in question serves to prohibit the state from exhibiting bias towards or providing financial support to any one religion, so establishing a distinct demarcation between matters of religion and matters of governance.

Article 28: Religious Instruction within Educational Institutions This article pertains to the provision of religious instruction inside educational institutions.

Article 28 pertains to the matter of religious instruction within educational establishments. The aforementioned provision effectively precludes the inclusion of religious instruction within any educational institution that is entirely funded by the State. Nevertheless, it permits the provision of religious education within state-administered institutions that have been founded through endowments or trusts. This article advocates for the preservation of secularism in the realm of education, emphasising the importance of maintaining public educational institutions as neutral places, but also acknowledging the need to accommodate religious education in specific circumstances.

In conclusion, it can be inferred that the information provided supports the notion that the topic at hand has been thoroughly examined and analysed.

Articles 25 to 28 of the Indian Constitution jointly establish India as a secular state, guaranteeing the fundamental right to freedom of religion and conscience for all its inhabitants. The aforementioned articles embody the underlying principles of the Indian Constitution, which aim to preserve a nuanced equilibrium between acknowledging and honouring religious plurality while simultaneously safeguarding the principles of secularism. The articles of the Constitution of India serve the purpose of safeguarding not just the individual's right to practise their chosen religion, but also reinforcing the country's dedication to secularism, which is a fundamental principle of its democratic structure.