Why is a Larger SC Bench Looking Into Sabarimala Temple Issue Now?

Will the Sabarimala pilgrimage season pass peacefully this year?

The Sabarimala review petitions were referred to a seven-judge Supreme Court bench on 11 November.

(Photo: The Quint)

Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi's term of office is nearly over, and with it, some long-running legal sagas at the Supreme Court. One of these which isn't over, however, is the Sabarimala Temple controversy.

On Thursday, 14 November, CJI Gogoi decided that the issues at play in the review petitions – filed against the SC’s 2018 judgment allowing women of all ages to enter the temple – needed to be answered by a larger bench, of at least seven judges.

The review petitions have therefore been left pending till a larger bench of judges can decide on these issues — not just for the Sabarimala case, but for other cases challenging ostensibly discriminatory religious practices as well.

Where does the entry of female devotees into the temple stand now? And why was the matter referred to a bigger bench? Tune in to The Big Story to know.