In a 4:1 verdict, the Supreme Court had granted women, of all age groups, entry into Kerala's Sabarimala temple, breaking the temple's age-old tradition of restricting menstruating women from entering its premises.
The five-judge bench, headed by then CJI Dipak Misra with Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra pronounced the verdict, with Malhotra dissenting.
- CJI Dipak Misra said that a woman is not inferior to a man and patriarchy cannot be permitted to trump over faith
- Justice Chandrachud said that to treat women as children of a lesser god is to blink at the Constitution itself
- Justice Indu Malhotra, the only woman and dissenting judge in the 4:1 verdict said that issues of deep religious sentiments should not see the Court’s interference
Congress Kerala Unit Has Right to Speak on Sabarimala Issue: Surjewala
Congress spokesperson, Randeep Surjewala on Thursday, 4 October, said that the party’s Kerala unit was well within its rights to express their opinions on the Sabarimala verdict.
Surjewala’s comments come after Ramesh Chennithala, the Opposition leader in the state, expressed the need for a review petition to be filed against the verdict, following which the former Kerala CM, Oommen Chandy, wrote to CM Vijayan, asking him to explore such a possibility, DNA reported.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
Former Kerala HC Judge Kemal Pasha Cautions Woman Ayyappa Devotees
Former Kerala High Court Judge, Kemal Pasha, on Wednesday, 3 October, said that without dismissing the recent Supreme court verdict lifting the ban on the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple, it would still be advisable for women devotees to “observe self-imposed restriction”, keeping in mind their safety, The Hindu reported.
Ayyappa Devotees Protesting Verdict Hail Justice Malhotra
Protesting against the Supreme Court verdict, of allowing entry of women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, devotees of Ayyappa took to the streets outside Jantar Mantar, however with placards in favour of their “new idol”- Justice Indu Malhotra- the lone dissenting judge in the matter, The Indian Express reported.
RSS Rebukes Kerala Govt's Decision to Implement SC Judgment
Calling Kerala government’s decision to implement SC’s judgment on allowing women’s entry into the Sabarimala Temple, RSS released a statement on Wednesday, 3 October.
“Unfortunately, the Kerala government has taken steps to implement the judgment with immediate effect without taking the sentiments of the devotees into consideration,” the statement read.
“In the case of Sabarimala Devasthanam also, it is an issue of a local temple tradition and faith to which sentiments of millions of devotees, including women, are attached. These sentiments of the devotees cannot be ignored while considering the judgment.”Official statement by RSS
While the Supreme Court judgment should be respected, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh said, it calls upon all the stakeholders, including spiritual and community leaders to come together to analyse and address the issue availing judicial options also.
“They must convey their concerns on their right to worship in a manner which best suits their faith and devotion, to the authorities in a peaceful manner,” the statement read.