The 'Essential Religious Practices Doctrine', often utilized by the Supreme Court to determine the scope of protection under Article 25, was first introduced in which of the following landmark cases?

Explanation

The Doctrine of Essential Religious Practices was formulated by a seven-judge bench of the Supreme Court in the Shirur Mutt case (1954). The court held that 'religion' under Article 25 covers all rituals and practices that are 'essential' or integral to that religion, and the court has the authority to determine what constitutes an essential practice based on the tenets of that religion.