Religious denomination
Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A religious denomination is a group of people who share a common faith, a common organisation and a distinct name. The Supreme Court gave this test in the Shirur Mutt case (1954). The label matters because Article 26 gives rights only to denominations. These are the rights to run institutions, manage their own religious affairs and own property according to law. These rights are subject to public order, morality and health.
Example
A sect with its own name, shared beliefs and its own organisation, such as a mutt with its followers, can claim to be a denomination. It can then manage its own religious affairs under Article 26.
Don't confuse with
- Religion as a whole: a denomination is a distinct group within or across faiths. Individual rights under Article 25 do not depend on belonging to one.
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
- Freedom from taxes for promotion of religion
- Freedom as to religious instruction
- Cultural and educational rights