Bombay High Court upholds helmet exemption for Sikhs as reasonable classification
The Bombay High Court has upheld the legal exemption granted to Sikhs from wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers, ruling that it does not violate Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. The court designated the exemption as a 'reasonable classification' that respects religious sentiments and practices protected under Article 25. This judgment underscores the judicial effort to balance public safety norms with constitutional religious freedoms.
Read source at The Hindu — National →Mains Practice Question
The doctrine of 'reasonable classification' under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution allows the State to accommodate diverse socio-religious practices while maintaining the rule of law. Analyze this statement in light of judicial developments balancing public safety and freedom of religion.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQ
With reference to Article 14 of the Indian Constitution and the doctrine of 'Reasonable Classification', consider the following statements: 1. Article 14 absolutely forbids any classification or discrimination by the legislature among citizens. 2. For a classification to be reasonable under Article 14, it must be based on an intelligible differentia and must have a rational relation to the object sought to be achieved. 3. Exemptions granted to specific communities on religious grounds under traffic laws have been judicially upheld as a reasonable classification. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is incorrect because Article 14 does not forbid class legislation absolutely; rather, it permits reasonable classification of persons, objects, and transactions. Statement 2 is correct as it outlines the 'twin test' of reasonable classification established by the Supreme Court. Statement 3 is correct because courts (such as the Bombay High Court) have upheld helmet exemptions for Sikhs wearing turbans as a reasonable classification aligned with freedom of religion under Article 25.
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