SC: Why Compel the Sabarimala Deity to Grant Women Darshan?

The question came up during the hearing of a petition filed against the ban on entry of women into the temple.

Devotees at Sabarimala temple. (Photo Courtesy: The News Minute)

In one of Supreme Court’s most regressive quips, it asked why women were “compelling” the Sabarimala deity to grant them darshan when the deity “does not want to as per tradition.”

The question came up during a half-day hearing of a petition filed against the ban on women of a certain age from entering and worshipping in the famous Sabarimala temple in Kerala where a ‘celibate’ deity presides.

Senior advocate and amicus curiae Raju Ramachandran was arguing before a Bench of Justices Dipak Misra, V Gopala Gowda, and Kurian Joseph that a ban on women worshipping a deity just because of their biology was detrimental to their dignity.

A <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sabarimala-entry-ban-gender-equality-is-a-constitutional-message-says-sc/article8490310.ece">report</a> in <i>The Hindu.</i>

Ramachandran said it was a facile argument to say that only women of a certain age were banned entry. The ban affected women during their most active years and thus had the impact of discriminating against women as a class.

Also Read:
Why Disallowing Women in Sabarimala is Against the Constitution
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