On Monday, the apex court of the country asked Kerela government and administration of Sabarimala temple to clarify why the ladies of menstrual age group can’t enter the temple premises. There is an age-old ban in Sabarimala temple on the entry of girls who attain puberty. The bench stated that every person should have “the right to access” as it is a public temple and at the most, religious restrictions can be imposed but general restrictions can’t be imposed. The bench said, “It is our view that the temple cannot prohibit entry except on the basis of religion. Unless you have a constitutional right, you cannot prohibit entry.”
The bench which is led by Justice Dipak Misra has sought from the government and temple officials to clarify the ban in regard to the principles of constitutionality. The bench also questioned the government on the matter of surety that no woman has entered the temple in the last 1500 years.
The Kerela government was represented by Senior advocate K K Venugopal, who said that the ladies who have not attained menopause are not able to “preserve the purity” while going to temple which takes 41 days as it is located on a hilltop.
The PIL was filed by the Young Lawyers Association demanding removal of restriction from entry of women who have attained puberty; however the ladies who have attained menopause do not face any restriction.
On February 8, the hearing will be done in detail on the case.
