Justice Thomas speaks on freedom of religion
Aligarh : Padma Bhushan awardee and Supreme Court of India Judge, Justice Kallupurackal Thomas Thomas gave an overview of the fundamental right of freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution of India under Article 25 to Article 28 in the National Webinar on ‘Religious Freedom Under the Constitution of India’ of the Legal Aid Clinic, Department of Law, Malappuram Centre, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
“Article 25 says that all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion subject to public order, morality and health and further, Article 26 says that all denominations can manage their own affairs in matters of religion”, he said as the resource person of the webinar.
Justice Thomas emphasised: India is absolutely neutral, unbiased and impartial when it comes to exercising one’s religious beliefs. The Constitution ensures that no citizen is deprived of this right to profess the religion of choice peacefully within the Indian territory. Secularism in our Constitution has great significance.
“Out of all striking and spectacular freedoms in our Country, the freedom of religion adds more to the beauty of India. It is this freedom that has made way for people of different backgrounds to live, work, learn and worship peacefully side by side”, he said adding that many Indians value their relationship with God and it is this feeling that motivates them to work for the benefit of the poor and needy.
Justice Thomas also answered queries of students in an interactive session.
Prof Md Ashraf (Dean, Faculty of Law, AMU) inaugurated the program and Prof Iqbal Ali Khan (Coordinator AMU Centres) presided over the programme.
Prof Hashmat Ali Khan extended the vote of thanks.
Dr Faisal K P (Director, AMU Malappuram Centre) delivered the welcome address.
Ghalib Nashter (Chairman, Legal Aid Clinic AMU Malappuram Centre) also extended gratitude to Justice Thomas for making time for the webinar.
Over 950 students and faculty members from across the Country registered for the programme.