The Supreme Court on Monday came down heavily on the Sabrimala temple board saying all religious practices are acceptable till there is no distinction between genders. The court asked the temple board to treat women at par with men while applying any test of austere practice. The temple board argued before the court that the hill where women aren't allowed is sanctified and the tradition dates back hundreds of years. "When recruitment for the armed forces takes place, citizens between 18-24 years of age are considered. It may seem classification amongst men, but reason is endurance," the board told the court. [related-post] The court, however, told the temple board, "You are making a classification. Can a biological phenomenon be a reason for discrimination?" Two religious bodies last week moved the Supreme Court supporting the PIL seeking entry of women in the historic Sabarimala temple in Kerala saying no ritual or custom can be used as grounds to discriminate against women in the matter of worship. The apex court, had earlier in February, questioned the practice of banning women from Sabarimala temple, and wondered if man-made customs can prescribe such prohibition when “the God does not discriminate between men and women”.
