Religious place can't be blocked merely on another community's opposition: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that the establishment of a religious place cannot be hindered merely due to opposition from another community. The court emphasized that religious freedom is a fundamental right under Articles 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution. The case involved a Muslim prayer hall whose establishment was opposed by local residents, leading to its closure by authorities citing communal harmony concerns. The court criticized the authorities for failing to differentiate between “public order” and “law and order” and held that objections from a few individuals cannot justify curbing religious rights. The court set aside the decision to deny permission for the prayer hall, reinforcing the principle that religious freedom is a cornerstone of India’s secular constitution and must be protected against baseless opposition.