Raju: "It was on such humanitarian grounds, and... ... Sabarimala Reference : Live Updates From Supreme Court 9-Judge Bench Hearing [Day 13]

Raju: "It was on such humanitarian grounds, and for the purpose of social reform, that so called religious practices like immolating a widow at the pyre of her deceased husband, or of dedicating a virgin girl of tender years to a God to function as a devadasi, or of ostracising a person from all social contacts and religious communion on account of his having eaten forbidden food or taboo, were stopped by legislation.”

It follows that Article 25(1) protects an individual’s right to freedom of religion against any denominational practice which would penalise such an individual through measures which violate the Constitution.