Sabarimala Verdict : In A 4 :1 Majority Verdict , SC Allows Women Of All Age Groups To Enter Temple

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In verdict pronounced with a 4: 1 majority the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on women entering the Sabarimala temple. The verdict was read out by CJI Dipak Misra on behalf of himself and justice AM Khanwilkar. Justices DY Chandrachud and Rohinton Nariman concur with the CJI. Justice Indu Malhotra is the lone dissenting judge.

The Supreme Court while delivering the verdict on entry of women in Sabarimala temple said that the rules of the temple violate Article 14 and 25 of the Constitution.

The case was been heard by a five judge bench Led by CJI Dipak Misra, the case is being heard by a five-judge bench., comprising Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra.

While pronouncing the verdict on entry of women in Sabarimala temple, the CJI said that law and society are tasked with the task to act as levellers. “Banning entry of women to shrine is gender discrimination and devotion cannot be subjected to discrimination.” CJI Misra has said. He added that patriarchal notion cannot be allowed to trump equality in devotion and religion is a way of life basically to link life with divinity. “Devotees of Lord Ayyappa do not constitute separate denomination,” CJI marked.

On October 13 last year , the Supreme Court had referred the Sabarimala issue to a Constitution bench after framing five “significant” questions including whether the practice of banning entry of women into the temple amounted to discrimination and violated their fundamental rights under the Constitution.

The temple has a tradition of only allowing girls before they attain puberty and women above the age of 50 who are menopausal. In effect, Women between the age of 10 and 50 are banned from entering because the temple believes women who menstruate are impure and must not be given access to the shrine. The rule was introduced by the Travancore Devasom Board that maintains the temple. Who says what on the issue: