Madras HC Halts Festival in Christian Village, Citing Public Order Concerns

सही उत्तर: B

Statement 1 is correct. Article 25 guarantees freedom of religion to 'all persons', which includes both citizens and non-citizens. Statement 2 is correct. Article 25(2)(a) explicitly allows the State to regulate secular activities associated with religious practice. Statement 3 is incorrect. Article 25(1) itself states that the freedom is subject to public order, morality, and health, and to other provisions of Part III (Fundamental Rights). Thus, it is not absolute.

सही उत्तर: C

Statement A is correct. A Division Bench (two or more judges) typically hears appeals or reviews against orders of a Single Bench (one judge) within the same High Court. Statement B is correct. High Courts have original jurisdiction under Article 226 for the enforcement of fundamental rights. Statement C is incorrect. The power of judicial review of High Courts under Article 226 is, in fact, wider than that of the Supreme Court under Article 32, as High Courts can issue writs for the enforcement of both fundamental rights and 'any other purpose' (i.e., legal rights), whereas the Supreme Court's writ jurisdiction under Article 32 is confined to fundamental rights. Statement D is correct, as explained in the reasoning for C.

सही उत्तर: A

Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, and R is the correct explanation of A. The Indian model of secularism is often termed 'positive secularism' or 'principled distance', where the state can intervene in religious matters for the sake of public order, morality, health, and social reform (e.g., abolishing untouchability, allowing entry into temples). Article 25(2)(a) and (b) explicitly provide for this state power, allowing regulation of secular activities associated with religious practice and providing for social welfare and reform.

सही उत्तर: A

Statement A is incorrect. The term 'public order' is not exhaustively defined in the Constitution. Its scope and meaning have been interpreted by the Supreme Court in various judgments, distinguishing it from 'law and order' and 'security of the state'. Statements B and C are correct, as 'public order' is explicitly mentioned as a ground for reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) and Article 25(1) respectively. Statement D is correct. 'Public order' is Entry 1 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule, making its maintenance primarily a responsibility of the state governments.