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Constitutional principles applied to temple sanctum management, marking a significant shift in religious administration and governance

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link
11 Feb 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
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What This Article Covers

1.Recent Madras High Court cases on temple rituals highlight the judiciary's role in resolving religious disputes using constitutional principles.

2.The 'Essential Religious Practice' test, developed by the Supreme Court, is used to determine if a custom is integral to religion and if it can be restricted for violating constitutional morality.

3.The jurisprudence traces back to pre-independence civil rights cases and evolved post-1950 with Articles 25 & 26, establishing that state regulation of religion must balance religious freedom with public order, health, and morality.

The Big Picture
Prelims · MediumMains · High

The Madras High Court's recent judgments on temple rituals underscore the judiciary's constitutional role in adjudicating religious disputes. This highlights a critical shift from viewing such issues as civil rights to examining them through the lens of fundamental rights and the 'Essential Religious Practice' test, ensuring religious practices comply with constitutional morality.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Key Constitutional ArticlesArticles 25 & 26
Landmark Case (2018)Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala)
First Major LegislationMadras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, 1927
Pre-Constitutional CaseSankaralinga Nadan v. Raja Rajeswara Dorai (1908)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Key Constitutional Articles: Articles 25 & 26
  • ›Landmark Case (2018): Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Articles 25 & 26 of the Constitution.
  • ›Target this Judicial Doctrine: The 'Essential Religious Practice' test.
  • ›Target this Case Law: Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (2018) - Sabarimala Temple case.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which articles of the Indian Constitution guarantee the freedom of religion, as discussed in the context of judicial oversight of religious practices?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the judicial approach to religious disputes in India:

1. The 'Essential Religious Practice' test was created by the Supreme Court to determine if a custom is integral to a religion.

2. Religious freedoms under Articles 25 and 26 are absolute and cannot be restricted by the state under any circumstances.

3. In the Sabarimala case (2018), the Supreme Court held that practices essential to a religion are automatically shielded from judicial scrutiny.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

The Madras Hindu Religious Endowments Act, which began state regulation of temples in the Madras Presidency, was enacted in which year?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary significance of the Supreme Court's judgment in the Indian Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala (Sabarimala case) regarding religious freedom?

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