The Travancore Devaswom Board informed the Supreme Court that it is against allowing women of all ages in the hill shrine of Sabarimala. It cannot be treated as discrimination against women and it is part of the belief system. The Board made it stand clear after the Kerala government told the apex court that women in all age groups should be allowed entry into the temple.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had observed that the right of a woman to pray is a constitutional right and does not depend on laws. It was hearing a bunch of petitions that challenge the traditional ban on the entry of women between 10 and 50 years of age in the hill temple. Women who are of an age to menstruate, are not allowed entry, as the presiding deity of the temple, Lord Ayyappa, is considered to be a celibate.
The Board differed with the government on the contentious issue. The Minister for Devaswom Kadakampalli Surendran said he hoped the Board would change its stance. However, he said the Devaswom Board is an autonomous body and the government would not force its ideas on it.
The Supreme Court referred the petitions on women’s entry to Sabarimala temple to the Constitution bench.
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