In a landmark judgment, the Madras High Court has emphatically stated that the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, and Yoga are not confined to religion but are part of India's civilizational heritage. The court quashed an order by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that had denied Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) registration to a trust on grounds of it being a religious organization.
Court's Ruling on Civilizational Heritage
Justice G R Swaminathan, while hearing a plea from the Arsha Vidya Parampara Trust, made significant observations about the nature of these ancient Indian traditions. The court set aside the MHA's order dated September 2021, which had rejected the trust's FCRA application.
The judge declared, "The Bhagavad Gita is not a religious book. It is rather a moral science." He emphasized that it is a cornerstone of Bharatiya Civilisation. Extending this logic, the court held that what applies to the Gita also applies to Vedanta, describing it as the "pure philosophy evolved by our ancestors."
Yoga is Universal, Not Religious
Regarding Yoga, Justice Swaminathan was unequivocal. "As regards Yoga, it would be atrocious to view it through the prism of religion. It is something universal," the court observed. It cited an American court's view that yoga is often a secular practice for physical and mental well-being, though it can be spiritual for some, noting that spirituality and religion are not interchangeable.
The court found that the FCRA authority had erred by concluding the trust was a religious body simply because it imparted the Gita's message. This, the court ruled, did not meet the legal standard required and represented a "fundamental breach of the principles of natural justice."
Background of the Legal Battle
The Arsha Vidya Parampara Trust had filed its FCRA registration application in 2021. However, the MHA rejected it on two grounds. Firstly, it alleged the trust received and transferred foreign funds without prior permission. Secondly, it stated the organization "appears to be religious" in nature.
The court noted that the consideration process only picked up in October 2024, criticizing the delay. "The authorities are expected to behave fairly. It is an elementary principle of good governance," Justice Swaminathan remarked.
Court's Directive and Relief
The Madras High Court ruled that the impugned order suffered from the "vice of disproportionality" and granted discretionary relief to the petitioner. It set aside the MHA's order and remitted the matter back to the FCRA authority.
The court directed that a fresh notice be issued to the trust, seeking its response on the alleged foreign fund transfer. However, it mandated that "such a notice has to be based on relevant materials. It cannot be vague."
In its reasoning, the court referenced the Allahabad High Court's stance that the Bhagavad Gita can be recognized as a national (Rashtriya) Dharma Shastra. It also invoked Article 51-A of the Constitution, which outlines the duty of citizens to cherish noble ideals and preserve India's composite culture, arguing the Gita falls within this ambit.
This judgment reinforces the legal distinction between religion and the philosophical, moral, and wellness traditions that form an integral part of India's cultural and civilizational identity.
