The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that government school students cannot be forced to recite specific prayers. The court decision follows a petition challenging a state circular that mandated several religious recitations. While the court closed the case, it issued a clear warning that any coercion of students would lead to further legal action.
What Happened
The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that students in government educational institutions cannot be forced to participate in the recitation of specific religious prayers. The judgment was delivered during the hearing of a petition that challenged a state government circular issued in June 2026. This circular had directed government schools to incorporate several recitations and activities into their daily routine.
While the court has decided to close the petition for now, the ruling serves as a clear legal stance on the state's role in mandating religious practices in public schools. The decision ensures that students retain the right to choose whether to participate in these activities, reinforcing the principle of religious neutrality in state-funded education.
Background of the Petition
The legal challenge was initiated by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi and other petitioners. The core of their argument focused on a circular issued by the state government, which mandated a schedule of recitations in schools. This list included the National Anthem and the National Song, alongside various religious recitations such as the Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana, Guru Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, and Shanti Mantra. Additionally, the circular required students to read biographies of prominent personalities and recite the Bhojan Mantra before their mid-day meals.
The Constitutional Arguments
The petitioners argued that mandating these specific religious practices in government-run schools violated the constitutional principle of secularism. Their legal team contended that state-funded institutions are obligated to maintain religious neutrality. By making the recitation of specific Hindu prayers mandatory, the petitioners argued, the state was effectively promoting a particular faith and failing to provide an exemption for students who might not wish to participate.
They further submitted that this mandate infringed upon the freedom of conscience and created an environment where one faith was privileged over others. The plea emphasized that public education should be free from the imposition of religious instruction, especially when no mechanism for refusal or exemption was provided in the circular.
The Court’s Warning
During the proceedings, Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad noted the state government’s submission that the circular had not yet been implemented in schools. Based on this, the court decided to close the petition. However, the ruling included a significant caveat. The court explicitly granted the petitioners the liberty to return to the judicial system if any instance of forced prayer or coercion is reported in the future. The court made it clear that if any such compulsion regarding these prayers is brought to its attention, it will initiate appropriate action.
What To Watch Next
The key factor to monitor is the state government's future approach to the circular and its enforcement in the school system. While the court has not struck down the circular entirely, the warning regarding coercive implementation sets a clear boundary for school administrations. Observers will track whether the government revises the mandate to make these activities optional or if the policy remains in its current form, potentially leading to further monitoring of school compliance.