The Kerala High Court, in its landmark judgment, found that no religious belief was superior to the Constitution, adding an essential emphasis on personal freedom matters of faith.
The judgment came on consideration of a petition by Abdul Noushad, who had sought to quash a case filed against him for criticizing a Muslim law student who shook hands with former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac. Noushad claimed the handshake offended Sharia law and was subsequently condemned.
The incident occurred during an interactive session at Markaz Law College, during which students interacted with Isaac.
After the incident, Noushad uploaded a video criticizing the student by saying that she committed adultery by touching another man.
‘No compulsion in religion’
In fact, there is no compulsion in religion, especially in Islam,” the court said while upholding the rights of the student.
The court emphasizes that it is in the interest of people like those who wear their faith on their sleeve.
The court dismissed the petition filed by Noushad, referring to religious practices as individual choices, not something enforced on people.
There is no compulsion in religion, especially in Islam. The religious practice cannot be forced upon another by anyone. Every citizen of this country follows their spiritual practice.
According to the court, a woman’s right to religious practices in her way should not have been taken away by anyone.
No man can impose his belief of religion on another,” the judges said. If such allegations against the petitioner are true, they cannot be accepted in India, where the Indian Constitution is supreme.
