New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that public roads cannot be obstructed in the name of religious activities, asserting that authorities are empowered to intervene whenever such actions disrupt civic life and public order.
The observation came during the hearing of petitions related to the scope of religious freedom and discrimination at places of worship, including matters linked to the Sabarimala Temple case, before a nine-judge Constitution bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
The bench underlined that while religious groups enjoy autonomy in managing matters of worship, such freedom cannot be exercised in a manner that hampers public convenience or affects essential services.
Justice B V Nagarathna remarked that organising religious events cannot become a ground for blocking roads and said the State has the authority to regulate such situations when required.
The court made it clear that it does not interfere in religious practices as such, but intervention becomes necessary when secular rights are impacted or public order is threatened.
The bench also emphasised that the right to administer religious institutions must function within a legal and constitutional framework, supported by proper norms and regulatory mechanisms.
During the proceedings, senior lawyers debated the extent of protections available under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution. The court reiterated that freedom of religion is protected, but remains subject to reasonable restrictions, including public order, morality and principles of non-discrimination.
The observations are being seen as significant in defining the balance between religious freedoms and civic rights.
