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Supreme Court ने कास्ट‑आधारित बहिष्कार को धार्मिक नहीं माना – Parsi महिला के मंदिर प्रवेश केस

5 मई 2026 को, Supreme Court ने फैसला दिया कि कास्ट‑आधारित बहिष्कार को धार्मिक प्रथा के रूप में नहीं माना जा सकता, Article 25 की सीमा पर ज़ोर देते हुए। यह निर्णय एक Parsi महिला के केस से उत्पन्न हुआ, जिसमें उन्होंने अंतर‑धर्म विवाह के बाद आग के मंदिर में प्रवेश से प्रतिबंधित होने को चुनौती दी, लिंग पक्षपात को उजागर किया और अल्पसंख्यक रीति‑रिवाजों को संवैधानिक गारंटियों के साथ संरेखित करने की आवश्यकता पर प्रकाश डाला।
Supreme Court Clarifies that Caste‑Based Exclusion Cannot be Treated as Religious Practice On 5 May 2026 , the Supreme Court pronounced that any practice which excludes people on the basis of caste has no nexus with religion. The observation was made by Justice B.V. Nagarathna while hearing a petition linked to the Sabarimala review bench. Key Developments Justice Nagarathna stated that a "casteist" practice cannot be termed a religious practice and that Article 25 empowers the State to legislate against caste‑based discrimination in the name of religion. The petition was filed by senior advocate Darius J. Khambata on behalf of Goolrokh Gupta , a Parsi woman barred from the Agiari after marrying a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act . The case was referred to a nine‑judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant , indicating its constitutional significance. Justice Nagarathna likened the exclusion of married Parsi women to "excommunication", highlighting gender‑biased application of religious norms. Important Facts The Gujarat High Court (23 March 2012) had held that Ms. Gupta ceased to be a Parsi after her inter‑faith marriage, a view supported by affidavits of seven Parsi priests. The petitioners argued that the Doctrine of Coverture is not recognised by the Indian Constitution and violates fundamental rights. They also contended that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Parsi (Zoroastrian) religion – a minority faith in India tracing its origins to ancient Persia, with distinct rituals such as fire worship in an Agiari. (GS1: S
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Overview

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SC says caste‑based exclusion isn’t religious, strengthening Article 25’s anti‑discrimination scope.

Key Facts

  1. 5 May 2026: Supreme Court, via Justice B.V. Nagarathna, held that caste‑based exclusion cannot be treated as a religious practice.
  2. The petition was filed by senior advocate Darius J. Khambata on behalf of Parsi woman Goolrokh Gupta, barred from the Agiari after marrying a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act, 2004.
  3. Gujarat High Court (23 March 2012) had earlier ruled that Ms. Gupta ceased to be a Parsi post‑inter‑faith marriage, relying on affidavits of seven Parsi priests.
  4. The matter was referred to a nine‑judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, underscoring its constitutional importance.
  5. Justice Nagarathna linked the judgment to Article 25, stating that the State may legislate against caste‑based discrimination even when claimed as a religious practice.
  6. The ruling echoes the Sabarimala review bench’s emphasis that gender‑biased religious customs are not protected under Article 25.

Background & Context

The judgment sits at the intersection of constitutional law, social justice and minority rights. It clarifies that practices rooted in caste discrimination are outside the ambit of religious freedom guaranteed by Article 25, thereby empowering the State to curb such customs while balancing minority religious autonomy.

UPSC Syllabus Connections

Prelims_GS•Constitution and Political SystemPrelims_GS•National Current AffairsEssay•Philosophy, Ethics and Human ValuesEssay•Society, Gender and Social JusticeGS4•Dimensions of ethics - private and public relationshipsGS2•Executive and Judiciary - structure, organization and functioningGS2•Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structureGS4•Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actionsGS2•Government policies and interventions for development

Mains Answer Angle

GS2 (Polity) – Discuss the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Article 25 in curbing caste‑based discrimination and its implications for secularism and gender equality. Possible question: "Evaluate the role of the judiciary in reconciling religious freedom with social justice in India."

Full Article

<h2>Supreme Court Clarifies that Caste‑Based Exclusion Cannot be Treated as Religious Practice</h2> <p>On <strong>5 May 2026</strong>, the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Supreme Court of India – the apex judicial body with the power of constitutional interpretation and final appellate jurisdiction. (GS2: Polity)">Supreme Court</span> pronounced that any practice which excludes people on the basis of caste has no nexus with religion. The observation was made by Justice <strong>B.V. Nagarathna</strong> while hearing a petition linked to the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Sabarimala case – a landmark Supreme Court judgment (2018) that upheld women's right to enter the Sabarimala temple, interpreting religious freedom under Article 25. (GS2: Polity)">Sabarimala</span> review bench.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Justice Nagarathna stated that a "casteist" practice cannot be termed a religious practice and that <span class="key-term" data-definition="Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality and health. (GS2: Polity)">Article 25</span> empowers the State to legislate against caste‑based discrimination in the name of religion.</li> <li>The petition was filed by senior advocate <strong>Darius J. Khambata</strong> on behalf of <strong>Goolrokh Gupta</strong>, a Parsi woman barred from the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Agiari – the fire temple of Zoroastrian worship where adherents offer prayers before a sacred fire. (GS1: Society)">Agiari</span> after marrying a Hindu under the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Special Marriage Act, 2004 – a civil law allowing inter‑faith couples to marry without religious conversion, providing legal protection and rights. (GS2: Polity)">Special Marriage Act</span>.</li> <li>The case was referred to a nine‑judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India <strong>Surya Kant</strong>, indicating its constitutional significance.</li> <li>Justice Nagarathna likened the exclusion of married Parsi women to "excommunication", highlighting gender‑biased application of religious norms.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The Gujarat High Court (23 March 2012) had held that Ms. Gupta ceased to be a Parsi after her inter‑faith marriage, a view supported by affidavits of seven Parsi priests. The petitioners argued that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Doctrine of Coverture – an archaic common‑law principle that a married woman’s legal identity merges with her husband’s, denying independent rights. (GS4: Ethics)">Doctrine of Coverture</span> is not recognised by the Indian Constitution and violates fundamental rights. They also contended that the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Parsi (Zoroastrian) religion – a minority faith in India tracing its origins to ancient Persia, with distinct rituals such as fire worship in an Agiari. (GS1: S
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Analysis

Practice Questions

Prelims
Easy
Prelims MCQ

Article 25 – अंतःकरण की स्वतंत्रता और धार्मिक अभ्यास

1 marks
4 keywords
GS2
Medium
Mains Short Answer

धार्मिक स्वतंत्रता की संवैधानिक व्याख्या

10 marks
4 keywords
GS2
Hard
Mains Essay

धर्मनिरपेक्षता, धार्मिक स्वतंत्रता और सामाजिक न्याय

250 marks
6 keywords
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Key Insight

SC says caste‑based exclusion isn’t religious, strengthening Article 25’s anti‑discrimination scope.

Key Facts

  1. 5 May 2026: Supreme Court, via Justice B.V. Nagarathna, held that caste‑based exclusion cannot be treated as a religious practice.
  2. The petition was filed by senior advocate Darius J. Khambata on behalf of Parsi woman Goolrokh Gupta, barred from the Agiari after marrying a Hindu under the Special Marriage Act, 2004.
  3. Gujarat High Court (23 March 2012) had earlier ruled that Ms. Gupta ceased to be a Parsi post‑inter‑faith marriage, relying on affidavits of seven Parsi priests.
  4. The matter was referred to a nine‑judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, underscoring its constitutional importance.
  5. Justice Nagarathna linked the judgment to Article 25, stating that the State may legislate against caste‑based discrimination even when claimed as a religious practice.
  6. The ruling echoes the Sabarimala review bench’s emphasis that gender‑biased religious customs are not protected under Article 25.

Background

The judgment sits at the intersection of constitutional law, social justice and minority rights. It clarifies that practices rooted in caste discrimination are outside the ambit of religious freedom guaranteed by Article 25, thereby empowering the State to curb such customs while balancing minority religious autonomy.

UPSC Syllabus

  • Prelims_GS — Constitution and Political System
  • Prelims_GS — National Current Affairs
  • Essay — Philosophy, Ethics and Human Values
  • Essay — Society, Gender and Social Justice
  • GS4 — Dimensions of ethics - private and public relationships
  • GS2 — Executive and Judiciary - structure, organization and functioning
  • GS2 — Historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
  • GS4 — Essence, determinants and consequences of Ethics in human actions
  • GS2 — Government policies and interventions for development
Explore:Current Affairs·Editorial Analysis·Govt Schemes·Study Materials·Previous Year Questions·UPSC GPT

Mains Angle

GS2 (Polity) – Discuss the Supreme Court’s interpretation of Article 25 in curbing caste‑based discrimination and its implications for secularism and gender equality. Possible question: "Evaluate the role of the judiciary in reconciling religious freedom with social justice in India."

Supreme Court ने कास्ट‑आधारित बहिष्कार को ... | UPSC Current Affairs