Chhattisgarh High Court says students cannot be forced to recite Hindu prayers in govt schools

Bilaspur, July 8, 2026: The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed a petition challenging a State government circular directing government schools to recite Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra and other prayers, holding that there is no evidence that students are being forced to participate.Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad ruled that the petition was premature as the petitioners failed to establish any actual violation of fundamental rights or show that students had been compelled to take part in the recitations. The Court said a plain reading of the June 12 circular showed no mandatory or coercive direction interfering with students' freedom of religion or conscience, Live Law and Bar & Bench reported.No Evidence Of Coercion“A careful perusal of the impugned order... reveals that it does not contain any mandatory or coercive direction compelling students to act in a manner contrary to their respective religious beliefs, conscience or faith. The contents of the impugned order, read as a whole, do not disclose any express requirement obligating students to participate in any activity that would interfere with their constitutionally protected freedom of religion or freedom of conscience,” the Court observed.The High Court also rejected the argument that the circular violated Article 28(1) of the Constitution, which bars religious instruction in educational institutions wholly maintained out of State funds. It held that the constitutional provision does not prohibit moral instruction that is not linked to denominational doctrines.“The expression ‘religious instruction’ used in Article 28(1) has a restricted meaning. It signifies that the teaching of religious customs, rituals, practices and modes of worship is strictly prohibited in educational institutions wholly maintained out of State funds. However... clause (1) of Article 28 makes it clear that the provision does not ban moral instruction, disassociated from any denominational doctrines, which remains an essential part of training in citizenship, maintenance of law and order in the State and growth of social cohesion,” the Court said.The Court concluded that the petition was based on apprehensions rather than any actual grievance.“In light of the foregoing, this Court is of the opinion that the petition is entirely premature, based on mere apprehension rather than any actual grievance. Thus, at this stage, the reliefs sought by the petitioners cannot be granted,” it observed.Liberty To Re-Approach CourtWhile dismissing the plea, the Court granted liberty to the petitioners to approach it again if any constitutional violation arises in future and they are able to produce cogent material in support of their claims.The petition was filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chairman Mahendra Chhabda and Bilaspur-based social activist Shafique Ahmed. They challenged the constitutional validity of the School Education Department's circular, arguing that it did not provide any exemption for students who did not wish to participate in the prescribed prayers. They also contended that prescribing prayers associated with one religion while excluding others violated the State's constitutional obligation of religious neutrality and Articles 14, 21, 25, 28(1), 29 and 30 of the Constitution.State Defends CircularThe circular directs government schools across the State to recite the National Anthem, National Song, Deep Mantra, Saraswati Vandana and Guru Mantra during the morning assembly. It also prescribes reading biographies of great personalities, reciting the Bhojan Mantra before mid-day meals, and the Gayatri Mantra and Shanti Mantra before dispersal.Opposing the petition, the State argued that the prescribed verses reflected India's civilisational heritage and universal moral values rather than religious instruction. It submitted that the recitations were meant to promote discipline, gratitude, environmental awareness and social harmony. The State also told the Court that the circular had already been implemented without complaints from students, parents or teachers and that no punishment or disciplinary action was prescribed for students who chose not to recite the verses.Also Watch: Chhattisgarh HC Draws the Line On Mandatory Hindu Prayers In Schools; Says Students Cannot Be Forced To Recite Hindu Prayers In Govt SchoolsThe ruling makes it clear that the Court's decision rests on the absence of coercion and any demonstrated violation of rights, while leaving the door open for a fresh legal challenge if future implementation of the circular infringes students' constitutional freedoms.To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/

The bench of Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad noted that “Furthermore, the expression ‘religious instruction’ used in Article 28 (1) has a restricted meaning.

Govt schools cant force students to recite Hindu prayers Chhattisgarh High Court

The Court made these remarks while hearing a petition challenging a 12 June state government circular mandating the recitation of the Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra, and other Hindu prayers in schools.

The bench was hearing a plea challenging an order by the state’s BJP administration mandating recital of hymns such as Saraswati Vandana.

Chhattisgarh: The Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday clarified that no child can be compelled to recite Hindu prayers in government schools while hearing a petition challenging a state government circular mandating the recital of Hindu prayers in educational institutions.According to Bar and Bench, Justice Amitendra Kishore Prasad was hearing a plea against the School Education Department's June 12 circular, which directed government schools to conduct prayers including Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra, Deep Mantra, Bhojan Mantra, and Shanti Mantra, along with the National Anthem, National Song, and biographies of great personalities.State Submission Before the CourtAs reported by Bar and Bench, the State government informed the Court that although the circular had been issued in early June, its implementation had not yet commenced.Taking note of the submission, the Court disposed of the petition while granting liberty to the petitioners to approach the Court again if any child is compelled to participate in the recitation of the prayers.The High Court also observed that appropriate action would be taken if any such compulsion is brought to its notice. A detailed order is awaited.Who Filed the PetitionThe petition was filed by former Chhattisgarh Waqf Board chairman Abdul Salam Rizvi, former Minority Department chairman Mahendra Chhabda, and Bilaspur-based social activist Shafique Ahmed, challenging the constitutional validity of the June 12 circular.According to the plea, "The mandatory inclusion of Saraswati Vandana, Gayatri Mantra, Guru Mantra and Shanti Mantra amounts to religious instruction and promotion of a particular religion within government schools. Hence the impugned order is unconstitutional."What did the petition argue?The petition also argued that the circular failed to protect students who may not wish to participate in religious observances, stating, "The impugned order neither provides an exemption mechanism nor safeguards the freedom of conscience of students who may not wish to participate in such religious activities."Further, the petitioners contended that the circular violated the State's obligation to maintain religious neutrality. The plea stated, "By prescribing prayers and mantras associated with one religion while excluding all others, the State creates an impermissible preference and classification based upon religion."The petitioners further argued that the circular undermined the secular character of public education, saying, "The action of the State effectively promotes and institutionalizes religious practices of one faith in State-funded educational institutions, thereby violating constitutional guarantees."