Supreme Court on the Right to Manner of Worship: Navigating the Bounds of Justiciability

This shift has profound implications for the separation of powers and the definition of Indian secularism. By labeling the 'manner of worship' as non-justiciable, the court recognizes a private sphere of faith where the state and judiciary should not interfere, provided these practices do not violate public order, morality, or health. It addresses the long-standing debate on whether the judiciary has overreached by attempting to rationalize religious beliefs that are inherently non-rational or based on ancient tradition. For governance and policy, this observation reinforces the autonomy of religious denominations to manage their own affairs. However, it also raises questions about how the court will balance this non-justiciability with the need to protect individual fundamental rights if a 'manner of worship' is found to be exclusionary or regressive. UPSC Relevance: This news is highly relevant for GS Paper II (Judiciary and Constitutional Provisions) and GS Paper I (Secularism and Indian Society). It can be used to illustrate the debate between judicial activism and judicial restraint, the evolution of the 'Essential Religious Practices' doctrine, and the constitutional boundaries of religious freedom under Articles 25 and 26.