Article 25 – Freedom of Conscience and free Profession, Practice and Propagation of Religion
All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion.
- Freedom of Conscience – the inner-freedom of an individual to mould his religious views. Any belief which is genuinely and conscientiously held, attracts the protection of Article 25
- Right to Profess – Declare freely and openly one’s faith or belief. It is to declare one’s belief in such a way that it would be known to those whom it may concern
- Right to Practice – Perform religious duties, rites or rituals.
- Right to Propagate – To spread and publicise one’s religious views but not to compile others to convert.
Article 26 – Freedom to Manage Religious Affairs
- To establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes
- To manage its own affairs in matters of religious
- To own and acquire movable and immovable property
- To administer such property in accordance with law
Article 27 – Freedom from Payment of Taxes for Promotion of Any Particular Religion
No person shall be compelled to pay any taxes, the proceeds of which are specifically appropriated in payment of expenses for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion or religious denomination.
- It means that the state cannot raise a religious tax.
- The State cannot spend its taxes on a particular religion
Article 28 – Freedom from Attending Religious Instruction
- No religious instruction shall be provided in any educational institution wholly maintained out of state funds.
- Nothing in Clause (1) shall apply to an educational institution which is administered by the State, but has been established under any endowment or trust which requires that religious instruction shall be imparted in such institution.
- No person attending any educational institution recognised by the State or receiving aid out of State funds shall be required to take part in any religious instruction that may be imparted in such institution or to attend any religious worship that may be conducted in such institution or in any premises attached thereto unless such person or, if such person is a minor, his guardian has given his consent thereto.