Kochi, October 11: The Kerala High Court on Thursday dismissed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by a right-outfit Hindu group seeking entry of women in mosques to offer prayers, on lines of the Sabarimala verdict by the Supreme Court.

A plea by Swamy Sai Swaroopnath, state president of Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha was rejected by a division bench of Chief Justice AK Jayakrishnan Nambiar and Justice Rishikesh Roy, saying that the petitioner failed to provide enough documentation to prove his claim. Hindu Group Files PIL in HC Seeking Direction to Govt Enabling Women to Enter Mosques.

Swaroopnath said that in the context hearing of Supreme Court verdict of allowing women of all ages to enter Sabarimala temple which was earlier denied entry to the temple, Just like Muslim women should also be allowed inside the Mosques to offer prayers. He added that if women are not allowed to offer prayers it is a violation of Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution (equality before law and protection of life and personal liberty). Sabarimala Temple Now Allows Women to Enter, But These Temples in India Still Do Not Permit Male Entry!

Swaroopnath also claimed that the dress code of Muslim women would enable the anti-social element to misuse it and commit a crime. This was an invasion into the realm of individual liberty and social security, the petition said, reported news agency PTI.

Earlier last month, a five-judge panel headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra lifted a ban on entry of women during menstrual age into the Sabarimala temple.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 11, 2018 08:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).