India's Supreme Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions seeking a review of its 2018 judgment that allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple in Kerala. The hearing, which concluded after 16 days, saw arguments from both sides on the religious and constitutional aspects of the case.
The 2018 judgment had struck down a centuries-old custom that barred women of menstruating age (10-50 years) from entering the hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappa. The court had ruled that the practice violated the right to equality under the Indian Constitution.
During the recent hearings, the Supreme Court examined whether the case should be referred to a larger bench, given the complexity of issues involving religious freedom and gender equality. The verdict is now awaited, with the court expected to deliver its decision in the coming weeks.
