Women can now enter Sabarimala temple, thanks to Supreme Court

Guwahati (Assam), September 28, 2018:

Ending an age-old practice, the Supreme Court on Friday said women of all ages should be permitted to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.

A five-judge Constitution bench, headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra, in its 4:1 verdict, said prohibiting the entry of women into the shrine, dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, accounts to gender discrimination and violates the rights of Hindu women.

The court’s verdict was in response to pleas challenging the ban on the entry of women into the temple. The court said law and society are tasked to act as levellers.

The Sabarimala temple, one of the most famous temples in Kerala, had prohibited women “of menstruating age” from entry. A group of five women lawyers had moved the apex court after the Kerala High Court had upheld the restriction, and directed that only the priest had the authority to decide on traditions.

In the aftermath of the apex court’s verdict, women of all ages will now be able to enter the temple which is located in Pathnamthitta district. Traditionally women in the age group of 10-50 were not allowed to enter the temple.