Everyone can enter the Temple: CJI observes in Sabarimala Temple case

Latest News: Women between the ages of 10 and 50 are not allowed in the shrine. It is believed that this is because the presiding diety, Ayyappa is celibate. The Temple’s management say that women of menstruating age can’t be allowed on account of ‘purity’. The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the historic temple, had earlier in January made it mandatory for women to carry documents to verify their age in a bid to restrict entry of women aged between 10 years and 50 years.

The Supreme Court last year had referred the case to the Constitutional bench. The bench is headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, and also includes Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, and Indu Malhotra. The court has framed five questions for the bench to address, out of which the main question is whether the ban amounts to discrimination against women and violates their Constitutional rights.

The Constitutional bench on Wednesday observed that everyone can enter Sabarimala Temple regardless of their sex. The bench stated that "a woman's right to pray was not dependent on any law but is a Constitutional right" and that "what applies to a man applies to a woman as well." Chief Justice Dipak Misra, while hearing the matter observed, “On what basis you (temple authorities) deny the entry. It is against the Constitutional mandate. Once you open it for public, anybody can go.” Read complete article