How feasible is call by Kerala High Court judge to raise children without religion or caste?

In a statement that has sparked national debate, Kerala High Court’s Justice VG Arun called for an India where children grow up free of religious and caste labels. Speaking at an event organised by the Kerala Yuktivadi Sanghom — a rationalist and atheist association — the judge praised parents who chose not to declare a religion for their children in school forms.

“These children,” he said, “are tomorrow’s promises — the ones who will ask the questions others fear to raise.”

His remarks came during a tribute to noted rationalist writers Pavanan and Vyshakhan, and have since triggered a wider reflection on whether India, with its deeply ingrained traditions, can move towards a more label-free identity.

State control and religious institutions: A long-standing imbalance

The statement has refocused attention on how religion functions in public life in India. While mosques, churches, and gurudwaras typically enjoy autonomy, Hindu temples are often under state supervision — a system where governments appoint priests, collect donations, and oversee rituals.

Over the years, some Hindu groups — such as the Lingayats and the Ramakrishna Mission — have even petitioned courts to be recognised as non-Hindu to avoid this oversight. Incidents like the replacement of traditional priests with government-backed appointees in the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, or the demolition of old shrines for the Char Dham project, underscore the tension between tradition and governance.

The Kerala High Court's religion caste statement may not have addressed these cases directly, but the subtext is clear: institutional interference remains a concern.

Is caste still relevant in modern India?

Justice Arun’s remarks didn’t stop at religion. His implied criticism of caste-based identity has struck an even deeper nerve.

In states like Kerala, caste is more than social structure — it’s entwined with theology. Some communities still believe that birth reflects past karma. Brahmins, especially in the South, argue that ritual purity and years of training justify their exclusive rights to conduct temple worship. This stands in contrast to parts of India like Bengal, where caste identities, though present, are often less visible and less ritualised.

Calling for children to be raised without caste identity is a direct challenge to this system. Whether such a message will resonate beyond progressive circles remains to be seen.

Social media split: Visionary or impractical?

Online, reactions to the Kerala High Court's religion caste debate have been polarised. Supporters hailed the judge’s statement as a timely intervention, suggesting it could nudge India toward greater unity. Detractors, however, argued that such comments oversimplify complex traditions — and that judges should refrain from making sweeping social pronouncements without engaging with their historical and cultural roots.

Some questioned whether judicial statements are increasingly being treated as de facto social mandates in a country already conditioned to view court rulings as final, unquestionable truths.

Beyond labels: Can India change without erasing its past?

A vision of India without religion or caste sounds inspiring, but it raises important questions. Can the country modernise without losing its rich cultural diversity? Can the state step back from managing faith-based institutions while ensuring they remain inclusive and accountable?

Examples like the felling of a centuries-old peepul tree during the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor redevelopment have become symbolic of what many see as a careless approach to heritage in the name of progress. For many, the answer may lie not in erasing identities but in cultivating a society that allows individuals to define themselves beyond inherited labels.

A worthwhile conversation

Justice Arun’s words have struck a chord — and a nerve. Whether one agrees or not, his message challenges Indians to reconsider the role of identity in public life. The path ahead may not be easy, but it is one worth exploring.

As debates continue, one question lingers: Can India imagine a future where religion and caste are personal choices, not default birthmarks?