The Madras High Court set aside a Home Ministry order on Tuesday — contending that the Bhagawad Gita was not a religious text. The case was lodged by Arsha Vidya Parampara Trust after the Centre rejected its FCRA registration in September 2025. The decision was taken on the grounds of foreign contribution funds without prior permission, and indications that AVPT was seemingly a ‘religious’ organisation.
‘It is moral science’
“The petitioner is also engaged in imparting the message set out in the Bhagavad Gita, the authority concluded that the petitioner is a religious body. The Bhagavad Gita is not a religious book. It is rather a moral science. What applies to the Bhagavad Gita would apply to Vedanta. It represents the pure philosophy evolved by our ancestors. As regards Yoga, it would be atrocious to view it through the prism of religion. It is something universal,” the court said.
The High Court ruled that the impugned order was to be set aside and the matter is remitted to the file of the FACA. It also said a fresh order would be issued to the trust seeking their response on whether the transfer of FC funds were made.
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What is the case?
The Arsha Vidya Parampara Trust had first applied for FCRA registration in 2021 — with the request facing multiple delays over the past few years. The Home Ministry had sought additional clarifications and eventually rejected a fresh application filed in January 2025. The Centre said the organisation appeared to be “religious” in nature and claimed it had received foreign funds without prior permission.
The court had examined the claim in detail but opined that the Bhagavad Gita taught ‘moral science’ rather than religion. Justice GR Swaminathan also insisted that it would be “atrocious” to view yoga through a religious lens.
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