Kerala High Court allows change of religion in school certificates

The court's order came while considering a plea filed by two youngsters, who adopted a new religion, to make changes to their school certificates.

The Kerala High Court has granted permission to two people to change religion in their school certificates, observing that there is no reason to tie down a person to one religion, merely due to his birth.

The court's order came while considering a plea filed by two youngsters, who adopted a new religion, to make changes to their school certificates.

During the hearing of the case, the high court observed that individuals have the freedom to practice and profess any religion of their choice, as guaranteed by Article 25(1) of the Constitution.

"Even if it is to be accepted that there is no provision enabling change of religion entered in school certificates, that is no reason to tie down a person to one religion, merely by reason of his birth. The freedom to practice and profess any religion of one’s choice is guaranteed by Article 25(1) of the Constitution. If a person embraces another religion by exercising that freedom, necessary corrections will have to be made to his records, the court said in its observations," the court observed.