UPSC Prelims 2020 CSAT Paper II · Q66 of 80 Comprehension medium

Passage

Passage—5 In Part III of the Constitution, which assures people certain fundamental rights, Article 25 proclaims that "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion". What people fail to notice is that this proclamation is prefixed with the words "subject to public order, morality, health and to the other provisions of this Part", which set conditions precedent for the legal protection of religious practices of any community. The closing words of this prefatory rider in Article 25 virtually constitute a subordination clause placing other

What is the most logical inference from the above passage?

  1. (a) State shall not interfere with the religious affairs of the citizens.
  2. (b) Religious freedom under the Constitution is open to State intervention. ✓ UPSC's answer
  3. (c) Religious freedom of the citizens is not covered under fundamental rights.
  4. (d) Religious practices of any community are immune to State laws.

Why the answer is (b)

• The passage states that Article 25 guarantees freedom of religion but is explicitly prefixed with the condition 'subject to public order, morality, health and to the other provisions of this Part'.

• This prefatory rider acts as a subordination clause, meaning the right to profess, practise, and propagate religion is not absolute.

• By making the right subject to public order, morality, and health, the Constitution allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions on religious practices.

• Therefore, the logical inference is that religious freedom is not an unqualified right but is open to State intervention when necessary to maintain public order or health.

• This directly supports the conclusion that the State can intervene in religious affairs under the specified conditions.

Why the other options are wrong

(a) State shall not interfere with the religious affairs of the citizens.
The passage explicitly states that the right is subject to public order, morality, and health, which allows for State interference, contradicting the claim that the State shall not interfere.
(c) Religious freedom of the citizens is not covered under fundamental rights.
The passage begins by stating that Part III of the Constitution assures fundamental rights and identifies Article 25 within this part, confirming that religious freedom is indeed a fundamental right.
(d) Religious practices of any community are immune to State laws.
The passage describes the prefatory rider as a subordination clause that sets conditions precedent, meaning religious practices are not immune to State laws but are subject to them.

Asked in the CSAT Paper II of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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