New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday gave six weeks time to the Sabarimala temple board in Kerala to reply on why women would not be allowed inside the shrine.
The matter was adjourned after the temple management asked for six weeks time to collect all materials and file a response.
During the hearing, the apex court observed that discrimination against women would be examined under constitutional provisions, adding that emotional arguments were not permissible.
Justice Deepak Mishra while referring to Lord Krishna observed that he is a superior philosophical entity and is present in every men and women, and thus, there should be no discrimination.
“He is everywhere in everyone, men and women. So, why there should be gender discrimination in the premises of the temple?” he said.
The apex court then appointed senior advocate Raju Ramachandran as amicus curiae in the matter.
The Kerala Government had earlier this month told the Supreme Court that banning entry of women of menstrual age in the Sabarimala temple is a ‘matter of religion’ and it is duty bound to ‘protect the right to practice the religion of these devotees’.
In an affidavit, the state government said the administration of the temple vests with the Travancore Devaswom Board and the decision of the priests stand final in the matter of worship.
The affidavit was filed on a PIL by the association, seeking entry for all women and girls in the Sabarimala temple which, as a practice, does not allow girls after attaining puberty to enter the premises. However, the women, who have crossed menopause, are allowed.
