Religious Reform Essential to Prevent Civilizational Stagnation, Says Advocate Guruswamy
Religions must reform or civilisation risks stagnancy, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy
The Hindu
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During the Supreme Court hearing on the Sabarimala review case, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy argued that religious reform is necessary to prevent stagnation in civilizations. She emphasized that social reform can enhance civilizations and that constitutional morality is linked to religious freedom in India.
- 01Menaka Guruswamy advocates for religious reform to avoid civilizational stagnation.
- 02She asserts that social reform can enhance civilizations.
- 03Guruswamy emphasizes that the Constitution protects individual conscience and religious freedom.
- 04Senior advocate Shadan Farasat warns against using public morality as a basis for court decisions.
- 05Sanjay Hegde highlights that outdated customs cannot violate fundamental rights.
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In a recent Supreme Court hearing regarding the Sabarimala review case, senior advocate Menaka Guruswamy argued that for civilizations to thrive, religions must undergo reform. She addressed the concern that reform could undermine religious beliefs, asserting that the framers of the Indian Constitution intended for reforms to coexist with religious practices without destabilizing them. Guruswamy emphasized that the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to uphold individual conscience, suggesting that social reforms can enhance civilizations. Other advocates, including Shadan Farasat, cautioned against allowing public morality to influence judicial decisions, as it could reflect transient social prejudices. Sanjay Hegde further noted that any customs that contradict fundamental rights are not protected by their antiquity, reinforcing the need for a balance between religious practices and constitutional rights.
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The discussions in the Supreme Court could influence future legal interpretations of religious practices and their compatibility with constitutional rights in India.
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