The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the ban imposed on women entering the centuries-old shrine of Sabarimala and sought answers from the Kerala Government and the temple board on how such a restriction can be sustained under the Constitution.
With the decision restricting entry of women of menstrual age group being challenged in the Supreme Court by a NGO Indian Young lawyers Association, the Bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra fired a volley of questions at the State. It said, “If the Constitution does not provide for restricting women from entering any place of worship, how do you sustain your decision to ban women at Sabarimala.”
At best, the court said that a restriction can be based on religious practice but a general bar may not be acceptable. The court asked the State Government to come prepared with the response on February 8 when it will next examine the issue in detail.
Senior advocate KK Venugopal, who appeared for the Kerala Government, informed the Bench that a 41-day purity is to be observed by pilgrims as preparation for visiting the deity.