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Any casteist exclusion cannot be part of religion, says Supreme Court
On May 5, 2026, the Supreme Court stated that caste-based exclusion has no place in religion, citing Article 25 and reaffirming freedom of conscience. The ruling was delivered in the Sabarimala review case, with Justice B.V. Nagarathna delivering the remarks.
Why It Matters
The decision draws a constitutional boundary between religious practice and caste-based discrimination, potentially enabling legal reforms to end casteist practices in religious contexts.
Timeline
2 Events
Article published online
May 06, 2026
The article carrying the report was published online on May 06, 2026 at 03:05 am IST.
SC rules casteist exclusion cannot be part of religion in Sabarimala review case
May 5, 2026
During the Sabarimala review case, the Supreme Court stated that any practice which excludes people on the basis of caste cannot be termed a religious practice. Justice B.V. Nagarathna said, 'Any practice which is casteist cannot be termed a religious practice. A religious practice cannot extend to the exclusion of certain castes. Article 25 of the Constitution recognises the inalienable freedom of conscience of one and all, and enables the state to make a law to end casteist practices in the name of religion.'