Don't ask for religion in forms: Bombay High Court tells Maharashtra government

The Bombay High Court has directed the state government not to compel any individual to declare or specify his religion in any form or any declaration made to the government.

A division bench passed this order while setting aside an order passed by the Government Printing Press, which had rejected the plea made by members of a registered organisation, Full Gospel Church of God. They had sought the issuance of a gazette recording that they are not Christians, but belongs to 'No Religion'.

The state and the Union governments opposed it, saying 'No Religion' cannot be treated as religion or a form of religion. The court held that "the right of freedom of conscience conferred on a citizen under Article 25 of the Constitution includes a right to openly say he does not believe in any religion... The freedom also includes a right of an individual to be an 'atheist'.