Freedom from taxes for promotion of religion
Also called: Article 27 · Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 2 "Rights in the Indian Constitution"
Meaning
Article 27 says no one can be forced to pay a tax whose money is spent on promoting or maintaining a particular religion. This keeps public money from favouring one faith, which supports secularism. A fee charged for a service, such as a fee for managing a pilgrimage, is allowed. A tax for a religion's promotion is not.
Example
A state cannot impose a special tax on everyone and use that money to build temples or mosques of one religion. It may charge a fee to pilgrims for arrangements it provides.
Don't confuse with
- "Freedom to pay taxes": NCERT uses this wording, but it is wrong. Article 27 gives freedom from paying religious taxes.
Related concepts
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of conscience
- Right to propagate religion
- Rev. Stainislaus case
- Anti-conversion laws
- State regulation of religious practice
- Freedom to manage religious affairs
- Religious denomination
- Freedom as to religious instruction
- Cultural and educational rights