Freedom of Religion & Secularism
Articles 25 to 28: Equal respect for all faiths and individual conscience.
Constitutional Overview
Indian secularism does not mandate hostility to religion; rather, it guarantees equal distance and equal respect (Sarva Dharma Sambhava). The Constitution protects individual conscience while preserving the State’s authority to enact social reform and regulate secular activities.
Core Principles
- •Individual freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion (Article 25).
- •Autonomy of religious denominations to manage their internal religious affairs and institutions (Article 26).
- •Protection against the compulsory payment of taxes specifically appropriated to promote a single religion (Article 27).
- •Prohibition of compulsory religious instruction in state-maintained or state-aided schools (Article 28).
Key Constitutional Articles
Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion
Every person has the individual freedom to follow their conscience and to freely profess, practice, and share their religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
Freedom to manage religious affairs
Religious denominations can establish institutions and manage religious affairs and property, subject to the article’s limits.
Freedom as to payment of taxes for promotion of any particular religion
A person cannot be compelled to pay taxes whose proceeds are specifically earmarked to promote or maintain a particular religion or denomination.
Freedom as to attendance at religious instruction or religious worship in certain educational institutions
Article 28 regulates religious instruction in State-funded institutions and protects consent for participation in recognised or aided institutions.