SC to hear plea against restricting women’s entry in Sabarimala temple

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Apr 13, 2016: The Supreme Court on Wednesday will hear a plea against restricting women’s entry in Kerala’s Sabarimala temple.

The apex court had earlier sought to examine previous judgments on entry of women in religious places, while underlining that any religious practice banning their entry will have to necessarily pass the test of constitutionality.

The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the ’Indian Young Lawyers’ Association’, seeking entry of women in the Sabarimala temple.

The hearing came close on the heels of the Bombay High Court order directing Maharashtra Government to ensure that women are not denied entry at any temple.

Defending the ban, the Sabarimala temple administration earlier said the tradition is connected to essential religious practice.

Supporting them, the Kerala Government told the court that beliefs and customs of devotees cannot be changed through a judicial process and that the opinion of the priests is final in matters of religion.