The Supreme Court of India observed that Hinduism is a way of life, not dependent on rituals. It clarified that a person identifying as Hindu need not visit temples or perform religious ceremonies to still continue being Hindu.
The Supreme Court noted that Hinduism is a way of life. The Court said it is not mandatory for a person who identifies as Hindu to compulsorily visit a temple or perform religious rituals in order to continue to be a Hindu.
It added that even lighting a lamp inside one’s home can be sufficient to show one’s faith.
The remarks were made by a nine-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant while hearing petitions concerning discrimination against women at religious places.
The cases include matters related to the Sabarimala temple in Kerala, as well as questions about religious freedom practiced by multiple faiths, including Dawoodi Bohras.
Apart from the Chief Justice, Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi were also part of the bench.
As the hearing reached its 15th day, advocate Dr G Mohan Gopal, appearing for one of the intervenors, submitted that there has been a growing demand for social justice within religious communities.
“Hinduism was defined as a religious category. Thereafter, in 1966, it was held that a Hindu is one who accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in all matters religion and philosophy. They never asked me. None of us ever said that.”
He further stated,
“Now, I have the highest respect for the Vedas and great admiration for it. But is it a fact that every person today classified as Hindu accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in all spiritual and philosophical matters?”
Responding to the submission, Justice Nagarathna said,
“That is why Hinduism is called as a way of life. It is not necessary for a Hindu to mandatorily go to a temple or perform a ritual in order to remain a Hindu.”
She added that a person need not be ritualistic, and no one can obstruct individuals in practicing their faith.
CJI also remarked,
“Even if an individual lights a lamp inside his hut is enough to prove his religion.”
The proceedings are currently underway.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had noted that if individuals begin challenging every religious practice or aspect of religion before the constitutional courts, it would lead to hundreds of petitions, and every religion could potentially break.
A five-judge Constitution Bench previously lifted a ban that had restricted women aged between 10 and 50 from entering the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple.
It did so in a 4:1 verdict delivered in September 2018, holding that the centuries-old Hindu religious practice was illegal and unconstitutional.
