Sabarimala Temple in Kerala denies entry of women and girls between 10-50 years into the temple.

SC Opens Doors of Sabarimala Temple to Women of All Age Groups

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In a 4:1 verdict, Supreme Court 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 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

There is No Happier Moment in My Life: Karnataka Minister Jayamala

Karnataka Women and Child Development Minister Jayamala termed as "historic" the Supreme Court verdict on entry of women into the Lord Ayyappa Temple and said women have now got justice.

The actress-turned-politician had created a storm some years ago by claiming that she had in her prime youth entered the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and touched the idol of the presiding deity.

"There is no happier moment in my life other than this. I thank the women community, Supreme Court judges and God today...I also thank Ambedkar who wrote our Constitution," Jayamala told reporters.

Verdict Paves Way for Hinduism To Become More Inclusive: Maneka Gandhi

Maneka Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development said the verdict brings the way forward for Hinduism to become even more inclusive.

“It’s a wonderful decision. It opens up and brings the way forward for Hinduism to become even more inclusive and not a property of one caste or one sex,” said Gandhi.

Verdict Disappointing, But will Accept It: Sabarimala Head Priest

The Supreme Court's verdict allowing entry of women of all ages into the Ayyappa temple, was "disappointing", but the 'Tantri family' will accept it, Sabarimala head priest Kandararu Rajeevarau said.

A Tantri is the Vedic head priest of Hindu temples in Kerala.

NCW Welcomes SC Verdict

Rekha Sharma, NCW Chief said that now women can choose if they want to go to the temple unlike earlier when the decision was imposed on them.

“I welcome the decision. Now women can choose if they want to go or not. Earlier it was imposed on them in name of religion. When right to equality and religion are there, right to equality should win,” said Sharma.

Anarchical Mindset is Abolished: Trupti Desai

Activist Trupti Desai, who was advocating the rights of women of all age groups to enter Sabarimala, said that an anarchical mindset has been abolished with the verdict.

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