The Supreme Court is currently reviewing petitions related to gender discrimination at religious sites, particularly focusing on the Sabarimala temple and the broader implications of religious freedoms as outlined in the Constitution.
This case is being deliberated by a nine-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, with the panel comprising Justices B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh, Ahsanuddin Amanullah, Aravind Kumar, Augustine George Masih, Prasanna B Varale, R Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi.
The court is set to address seven key questions regarding the matter.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi has commenced his legal arguments, indicating that his submissions will focus entirely on legal principles.
As the nine-judge bench convenes, a ceremonial session is also taking place for Justice Rajesh Bindal, who is concluding his term today.
Additionally, senior advocate CS Vaidyanathan has completed his arguments on behalf of several review petitioners, including the Nair Service Society, which represents devotees, as well as Ayyappa Seva Samajam and the Kerala Kshethra Samrakshana Samithi, both organizations advocating for devotees in Kerala, along with the Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha.
During the proceedings, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Central government, highlighted instances where men face restrictions in certain temples. He noted that there are places where men are prohibited from entering and mentioned that male priests are often required by religious customs to wash the feet of female worshippers.
Mehta argued that the right to access temples should be viewed in the context of devotees’ beliefs regarding who should be allowed entry, suggesting that this important aspect has not been adequately considered. He further asserted that the previous Sabarimala ruling is predicated on the notion of male superiority and diminishes the status of women.
The nine-judge bench is preparing to continue its hearings, marking the fourth day of discussions regarding the Sabarimala case.
