Mains Practice Questions for the Day
- Q. The Sabarimala case highlights the tension between religious freedom and fundamental rights in India. Critically examine the role of the Essential Religious Practices doctrine in resolving such conflicts. (15 M)
- Q. Climate change is increasingly being recognised as a public health emergency. Discuss its implications for India and suggest measures to build a climate-resilient health system. (15 M)
Q. The Sabarimala case highlights the tension between religious freedom and fundamental rights in India. Critically examine the role of the Essential Religious Practices doctrine in resolving such conflicts. (15 M)
(GS Paper II – Polity – Fundamental Rights, Judiciary, Religious Freedom, Constitutional Interpretation)
Introduction:
The Sabarimala case represents a critical constitutional debate on the intersection of faith, equality, and judicial intervention. The Supreme Court’s 2018 judgment striking down the exclusion of women, and the ongoing review by a nine-judge Bench, have brought focus on the Essential Religious Practices (ERP) doctrine, which determines the scope of protection under Articles 25 and 26.
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1. Essential Religious Practices (ERP) Doctrine – Role and Evolution
- The ERP doctrine, evolved through judicial interpretation (notably in Shirur Mutt case, 1954), allows courts to identify which religious practices are “essential” and thus constitutionally protected.
- It acts as a tool for balancing religious freedom (Article 25 & 26) with other fundamental rights. In Sabarimala (2018), the Court held that exclusion of women was not an essential practice, thereby allowing intervention.
- This doctrine has enabled courts to reform practices such as triple talaq and entry restrictions in temples, promoting constitutional values.
2. Constitutional Conflict: Faith vs Rights
- The case raises key questions regarding Article 14 (equality), Article 15 (non-discrimination), and Article 17 (abolition of untouchability) versus religious autonomy.
- The majority judgment (4:1) held that exclusion based on biological factors violates dignity and equality, while rejecting the claim that Ayyappa devotees constitute a separate religious denomination.
- The dissent (Justice Indu Malhotra) stressed judicial restraint, arguing that courts should not interfere in faith-based practices unless they are oppressive.
- This highlights the tension between constitutional morality and social/religious morality.
3. Criticism of ERP Doctrine (Contemporary Debate)
- The ERP doctrine has been criticised for allowing courts to enter theological domains, which may exceed judicial competence.
- The Centre (2026) has argued that rigid definitions of “essential practices” may distort the plural and diverse nature of Hinduism, which lacks a single canonical authority.
- Determining what is “essential” is inherently subjective and risks judicial overreach. It may also ignore intrareligious diversity and evolving traditions.
4. Way Forward
- There is a need to refine the ERP doctrine by limiting judicial intervention to cases involving clear violations of fundamental rights.
- Greater emphasis should be placed on constitutional morality, dignity, and equality rather than theological determination. Courts can adopt a harm-based approach—intervening only when practices are discriminatory or oppressive. Encouraging dialogue between judiciary, religious communities, and reform movements can ensure balanced outcomes.
Conclusion:
The Sabarimala case underscores the complex balance between religious freedom and constitutional values in a plural society. While the ERP doctrine has played a key role in enabling reform, its limitations necessitate a more nuanced approach. The ongoing review offers an opportunity to redefine the boundaries of judicial intervention while upholding the core principles of equality, dignity, and justice.
Q. Climate change is increasingly being recognised as a public health emergency. Discuss its implications for India and suggest measures to build a climate-resilient health system. (15 M)
(GS Paper III – Environment, Climate Change – Health Impacts, Disaster Management, Sustainability)
Introduction:
Climate change refers to long-term alterations in temperature and weather patterns driven largely by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In India, it is no longer just an environmental concern but has emerged as a public health emergency, with rising heatwaves, pollution, and changing disease patterns directly affecting human health.
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1. Climate Change as a Public Health Crisis (Evidence & Trends)
- India is witnessing shifting disease patterns, with dengue seasons extending (e.g., Delhi-NCR now peaking till November) and malaria spreading to high-altitude regions like Himachal Pradesh.
- Rising temperatures, especially night-time heat, are increasing heatstroke-related mortality as the human body loses recovery time.
- Increased use of cooling devices has worsened PM2.5 pollution, which contributes to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
- These trends indicate that climate change is actively reshaping the country’s health landscape.
2. Key Public Health Implications
- Climate change is accelerating vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue, Zika) due to changing ecological conditions.
- It contributes to chronic illnesses, as fine particulate matter enters the bloodstream, increasing risks of heart disease and stroke.
- Vulnerable groups such as women and children face higher risks, including preterm births and low birth weight. Heat stress is also causing chronic kidney disease among labourers, while agricultural disruptions are leading to malnutrition and food insecurity. Urban flooding and poor sanitation further increase outbreaks of water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid.
3. Underlying Drivers
- The urban heat island effect intensifies temperature rise in cities due to concrete infrastructure.
- Climate-induced water scarcity forces reliance on unsafe sources, increasing disease burden. Feedback loops such as increased air-conditioning leading to higher emissions further aggravate warming. Rapid urbanisation without adequate infrastructure worsens sanitation and public health vulnerabilities.
4. Way Forward for Climate-Resilient Health Systems
- India must strengthen climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure, including heatwave-ready hospitals and emergency response systems.
- Development of early warning systems integrating meteorological and health data can help predict disease outbreaks.
- Promoting urban greening and cool roof technologies can mitigate heat stress.
- Transition to clean energy sources will reduce pollution-related health risks.
- Strengthening nutrition security through climate-resilient crops and dairy support is essential.
- Public awareness and inter-sectoral coordination between health, environment, and urban planning agencies are crucial.
Conclusion:
Climate change is no longer a distant ecological issue but an immediate and evolving public health crisis in India. Addressing it requires integrating climate action with health policy, ensuring resilience, prevention, and preparedness. A proactive and holistic approach is essential to safeguard human health in a warming world.
