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Justice Vikram Nath Debuts Book on Pre-Independence Religious Rights Cases
In a significant confluence of legal scholarship and judicial reflection, Justice Vikram Nath formally released Gods and Maharajas , a compelling collection of twelve historical essays authored by , at the India International Centre in New Delhi on October 7, 2026. The event, organized by the lawyers’ book club , brought together senior members of the Bar and Bench to discuss the enduring relevance of pre-Independence religious rights litigation.
Exploring the Book’s Core Themes
Gods and Maharajas delves into twelve distinct disputes concerning personal and religious rights that arose more than a century ago, examining the judicial decisions that shaped those controversies and continue to echo in contemporary legal discourse. The essays highlight how colonial courts adjudicated matters involving the management of major religious institutions and the faith practices of diverse communities. The book’s central inquiries revolve around the scope of religious freedom, the state’s role in temple administration, and the limits of judicial interference in matters of faith.
Among the disputes analyzed are the litigation surrounding the management of the Nathdwara Temple in Rajasthan, the Kamakhya Temple in Assam, and the sacred hill of Parasnath, revered by the Jain community. Each case presented unique questions about who holds the right to manage religious properties and how courts balanced competing claims of tradition, reform, and individual liberty.
A Gathering of the Legal Fraternity
The launch event was attended by an array of distinguished legal figures. , a regular participant in events, shared the dais with , President , , and the author himself. The discussion moved beyond mere book promotion into a substantive exploration of the legal principles that underpin India’s constitutional framework on religion.
Justice Vikram Nath, in his remarks, commended the author for undertaking the rigorous task of unearthing historical judgments and presenting them in a manner accessible to contemporary practitioners. He emphasized that understanding the evolution of religious rights jurisprudence is vital for appreciating the nuances of , which guarantees the freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion.
Article 25 and the Temple Management Cases
A significant portion of the panel discussion centered on the application of Article 25 to temple management disputes. shared his firsthand experiences arguing before the in two landmark matters: the administration of the Kamakhya Temple and the contentious entry of women of a particular age group into the Sabarimala Temple. He noted that the historical cases featured in Gods and Maharajas provide crucial context for understanding how courts have interpreted the "" doctrine.
Gupta pointed out that the pre-Independence rulings often grappled with the tension between customary religious practices and evolving notions of . These early decisions, he argued, laid the groundwork for the ’s modern approach to determining which practices qualify as essential to a religion and therefore merit constitutional protection. The discussion illuminated how a case from the late 19th century regarding the Nathdwara temple still informs arguments about the limits of state intervention in religious affairs.
steered the conversation toward the broader cultural significance of the book. He highlighted that the book club was conceived precisely to encourage lawyers to step away from the relentless cycle of case law and technology-driven legal research, and to rediscover the joy of reading and writing. He stressed that books like Gods and Maharajas serve as bridges between the bar’s historical consciousness and its present-day advocacy.
Encouraging a Culture of Legal Reading
, President of the Advocates-on-Record Association (), extended his full support to such initiatives. He emphasized that events like these are instrumental in developing a deeper knowledge base and understanding among legal professionals, particularly young advocates and newly enrolled Advocates-on-Record. The chief noted that the legal profession often prioritizes speed and efficiency over depth, and that book clubs and scholarly discussions help restore the balance.
contributed a practitioner’s perspective, noting that the historical disputes analyzed in the book are not mere academic curiosities. Many of the legal questions they raise—about who has to sue on behalf of a religious trust, what constitutes a valid custom, and how courts should weigh expert religious testimony—remain live issues in Indian courtrooms today. She praised Jayant Mohan for distilling complex archival material into lucid prose that benefits both seasoned litigators and law students.
The Author’s Perspective
Jayant Mohan, speaking during the interactive session, explained that his motivation for writing Gods and Maharajas arose from a desire to trace the genealogies of contemporary religious rights litigation. He observed that many lawyers argue cases under Article 25 without fully appreciating the colonial foundations of the jurisprudence. The book, he hopes, will serve as a resource for practitioners who wish to ground their arguments in historical precedent.
Mohan also noted that the selection of twelve cases was deliberate: each represents a distinct facet of the intersection between religion, property, and personal law. From the management of the Parasnath hill—a site sacred to Jains—to the control of temple endowments, the stories reveal patterns of judicial reasoning that continue to shape outcomes in the .
Legal Implications for the Present
The panel’s analysis carried clear implications for ongoing and future litigation. The discussions around the Kamakhya Temple and Sabarimala cases underscored that the historical precedents cited in Gods and Maharajas remain alive in the arguments advanced by counsel today. Senior Advocate Gupta noted that the Sabarimala entry case, in particular, forced the courts to revisit foundational questions about whether a practice must be ancient to be considered essential, and whether the state can enforce reforms in the name of gender equality.
The book also touches upon the question of who holds the ultimate authority to define religious practices—the judiciary, the legislature, or the itself. These debates are far from settled, and the historical record presented in the essays offers valuable data points for judges and lawyers grappling with similar issues.
Conclusion: A Call for Scholarly Engagement
The event concluded with a lively book-signing session and an interactive discussion among participants. The mood was one of intellectual rediscovery—a recognition that India’s legal heritage on religious rights is rich and complex, and that engaging with it can sharpen the skills of any legal professional.
Gods and Maharajas stands as a testament to the value of historical legal scholarship in an era of increasing specialization. For legal professionals, the book offers not only a window into the past but also a toolkit for navigating the present. As Justice Vikram Nath’s presence affirmed, the highest echelons of the judiciary recognize and encourage such contributions to legal literature. The event, organized by and supported by , reinforces the message that reading and writing remain indispensable to the health of the legal profession.
