Women to be Allowed in Kerala's Sabarimala Temple? Supreme Court Verdict Tomorrow
Considering the complexity of the issue, as the petitioners have alleged violation of Article 25 (right to freedom of religion), the apex court transferred the case to a the constitution bench in October 2017.
New Delhi, Sept 27: The five-judge constitution bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, will deliver its verdict tomorrow on allowing women pilgrims at the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
The petition seeking upliftment of women's restriction at the temple, was filed in 2006 by the Indian Young Lawyers Association. The case, however, was taken up for hearing in January 2016. Sabarimala Temple Entry: SC Reprimands Authorities, Says Woman's Right to Pray Equal to That of Man.
Considering the complexity of the issue, as the petitioners have alleged violation of Article 25 (right to freedom of religion), the apex court transferred the case to a the constitution bench in October 2017.
As per the rules imposed by the temple authorities, female devotees aged between 10 to 50 years are barred from visiting the hill-top Ayyappa shrine. The norm is rooted in the orthodox assumption that menstruating women are impure.
Defenders of the rule claim Lord Ayyappa had taken an oath of celibacy, which makes it mandatory to prevent women from offering direct worship to his deity.
The rule was codified and granted a legal cover by the Kerala government in 1965, by amending the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship (Authorisation of Entry) Act 1965. The law allows the restriction of women at religious places based upon customary practices.
The Kerala government, however, has been changing its stand on the issue. In July, the Pinarayi Vijayan-bench contended before the bench that barring entry of women at any public place, including places of worship, is not permissible under the Constitution.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 27, 2018 05:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).