A woman who was stopped by protesters on way to Sabarimala temple (Express photo by Vignesh Krishnamoorthy/File)
The Travancore Devasom Board, which manages the Sabarimala temple, told the Supreme Court Wednesday that it has decided to “respect” the verdict lifting age restrictions on the entry of women to the hill shrine. A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi is hearing petitions seeking review of its September 28, 2018 judgment. The bench also comprises Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra. The review petitions were originally scheduled to be heard on January 22, but could not be taken up as Justice Malhotra was on medical leave. Kerala has opposed the review of the verdict.
The top court’s landmark verdict on September 28 last year triggered a wave of protests across Kerala, and as many as four dozen review petitions were filed seeking review. Meanwhile, a plea seeking contempt action against the head priest of the Sabarimala temple has been filed, alleging that he had ordered cleaning of the premises after some women had visited the temple. On Monday, the Kerala government admitted that just two women, between the age of 10 and 50, have entered the shrine following the apex court’s judgment.
Kochi: BJP workers hurls bricks and stones at the CPI office following their protest against the entry of two women of menstruating age into the Sabarimala temple of Lord Ayyappa, in Palakkad (PTI Photo)
Advocate Indira Jaising, who is representing some women who “entered” the Sabarimala temple, says, "Word untouchability wasn’t there in English language and was introduced only in the latter half of 19th century; had its birth in the practise existing in India. No concept of untouchability is to be found in the UK." Supreme Court reserves order on whether to admit review petitions seeking review of its Sabarimala judgment
Travancore Devasom Board, which manages the Sabarimala temple, told the Supreme Court they have taken a decision to "respect the judgement” lifting age restrictions on women entry.
The board had earlier sought for more time to implement the order as it wanted the devotees to have peaceful ‘darshan’.
Kerala government has opposed any review of the Supreme Court's Sabarimala verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the shrine and said that nothing is placed before the court to establish the need for a review.
The Kerala government told the top court that the Sabarimala case cannot be reopened by way of review petitions
Senior Advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for a review petitioner, said: "Some say God exists, some say no. Religion is essentially a matter of faith. Can courts say Thou shall not hold such a belief? No, unless a practise is barred by criminal law."
Advocate Prasaran, appearing for Nair Service Society (NSS), seeks setting aside of verdict that allowed women of all ages entry into Sabarimala temple
A village court in Kerala’s Malappuram district on Tuesday allowed a woman who visited the Sabarimala temple to return to her parents-in-law’s house.
Kanakadurga had visited Sabarimala on January 2 after the Supreme Court lifted the age bar on the entry of women at the shrine. She returned to her house in Angadippuram town on January 15, but was rejected by her husband and other family members.
The constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, has assembled to hear over four dozens review petitions challenging the Supreme Court verdict which lifted age restrictions on the entry of women to the Sabarimala temple.
On Monday, the Kerala government admitted that just two women, between the ages of 10 and 50, have entered the temple at Sabarimala after the Supreme Court lifted restrictions on the entry of women of all ages at the hill-top shrine.
The clarification comes after the ruling LDF government in the state last month submitted in the Supreme Court a list of 51 women between 10-50 ages who had supposedly entered the temple.
The Supreme Court Wednesday will hear review petitions challenging its verdict lifting age restrictions on the entry of women to the Sabarimala temple.
The matter will come up before a Constitution bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi and Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra at 10.30 am.