SC says Hinduism is a way of life; temple visit not mandatory to prove belief

PTI, May 13, 2026, New Delhi : Observing that Hinduism is a way of life, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said it is not necessary for a Hindu to mandatorily go to a temple or perform a ritual in order to remain a Hindu, and even lighting a lamp inside the house is enough to prove one's belief.

The observation of a nine-judge Constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant came while hearing petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, and on the ambit of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths, including Dawoodi Bohras.

Justices B. V. Nagarathna, M. M. Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B. Varale, R. Mahadevan and Joymalya Bagchi are also part of the nine-judge bench.

As the hearing commenced on the 15th day, advocate Dr G. Mohan Gopal, appearing for one of the intervenors, submitted that there has been a demand for social justice emerging from within religious communities.

“Hinduism was defined as a religious category. Thereafter, in 1966, it was held that a Hindu is one who accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in all matters of religion and philosophy. They never asked me. None of us ever said that.

“Now, I have the highest respect for the Vedas and great admiration for them. But is it a fact that every person today classified as Hindu accepts the Vedas as the highest authority in all spiritual and philosophical matters?” he asked.

Responding to his submission, Justice Nagarathna said, “That is why Hinduism is called a way of life. It is not necessary for a Hindu to mandatorily go to a temple or perform a ritual in order to remain a Hindu.”

She said one need not be ritualistic and nobody can come in the way of people having their faith.

The CJI also remarked, “Even if an individual lights a lamp inside his hut, it is enough to prove his religion.”