The Supreme Court on Friday by 4:1 verdict allowed the entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala, Kerala. Patriarchal notion cannot be allowed to trump equality in devotion, CJI Dipak Misra said while pronouncing the verdict ending the ban on entry of women inside Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The famous temple had banned women between 10 to 50 years of age inside its premises.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra had reserved its judgement on August 1 after hearing the matter for eight days.
The bench, which also comprised Justices R F Nariman, A M Khanwilkar, D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, had earlier said that the constitutional scheme prohibiting exclusion has "some value" in a "vibrant democracy".
LATEST UPDATES:
11:14 am: It is not for courts to determine which religious practices are to be struck down except in issues of social evil like 'Sati': Justice Indu Malhotra
11:13 am: Issues which have deep religious connotation should not be tinkered with to maintain secular atmosphere in the country, says Indu Malhotra.
11:10 am: Disappointed but accept Supreme Court verdict on women entry: Sabarimala head priest Kandararu Rajeevaru.
11:07 am: Religion cannot be used as cover to deny rights of worship to women. It is also against human dignity: Chnadrachud.
11:05 am: Custom of barring women is violative of Art 25 (Clause 1). Rule 3(b) of Kerala Hindu Places of Worship struck down by Justice Nariman.
11:04 am: Kerala law denies rights to women on ground of physiological reasons. Practice of exclusion of women of 10-50 age group cannot be regarded as essential religious practice: CJI Dipak Misra
11:01 am: Sabarimala Temple practice violates rights of Hindu women, says CJI
11:00 am: Devotees of Lord Ayyappa do not constitute separate denomination: CJI Dipak Misra
10:53 am: Banning entry of women to shrine is gender discrimination. Patriarchal notion cannot be allowed to trump equality in devotion: CJI
10:52 am: Religion is a way of life basically to link life with divinity: CJI Dipak Misra
10:51 am: Justice Indu Malhotra has written separate dissenting verdict, says CJI Dipak Misra
10:40 am: CJI Dipak Misra reads first of four set of verdicts in Sabarimala shrine case. CJI pronounces judgement for himself and Justice A M Khanwilkar. Five-judge bench was hearing the case.
10:35 am: SC starts pronouncing judgement on entry of women of menstrual age in Kerala's Sabarimala shrine.
The top court's verdict would deal with the petitions filed by petitioners Indian Young Lawyers Association and others.
The Kerala government, which has been changing its stand on the contentious issue of women of the menstrual age group entering the Sabarimala temple, had on July 18 told the Supreme Court that it now favoured their entry.
The apex court had on October 13 last year referred the 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.
(With inputs from PTI)
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