Keralam Government Ditches Stand On Sabarimala, Backs Ban On Women Under 50 Ahead Of Supreme Court Hearing

In the latest development, the Keralam government has changed its earlier position on the Sabarimala Temple entry issue, announcing that it will support the continuation of traditional restrictions on women below the age of 50 entering the shrine.

The decision marks a shift from the state's stance in 2018 when it supported the Supreme Court verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the temple.

The new position will be communicated to the Supreme Court through an affidavit, as the court prepares to hear review petitions related to the controversial judgment.

Cabinet Decision Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing

The decision was taken during a special cabinet meeting held on March 13 by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

During the meeting, the cabinet endorsed a resolution passed by the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the Sabarimala Temple. The board has maintained that the temple follows long-standing traditions that restrict the entry of women of menstruating age, generally considered to be below 50 years.

The Keralam government will now submit its position to the Supreme Court before the March 14 deadline set by the court.

The affidavit will address seven constitutional and legal questions raised by the court regarding religious practices and rights.

Background of the Sabarimala Controversy

The Sabarimala issue gained national attention after the Supreme Court's 2018 verdict allowed women of all age groups to enter the temple. The judgment overturned a 1991 Kerala High Court ruling that had prohibited the entry of women aged between 10 and 50.

The case was originally filed in 2006 by the Indian Young Lawyers Association, which argued that the ban violated constitutional principles of equality and freedom of worship.

However, the verdict triggered widespread protests across Kerala, with many devotees arguing that the restriction was part of the temple's centuries-old traditions associated with the worship of Lord Ayyappa, who is believed to be a celibate deity.

Review Petitions to Be Heard in April

The Supreme Court is scheduled to begin hearing review petitions challenging the 2018 judgment from April 7.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant will examine legal questions surrounding religious freedom, gender equality and constitutional rights.

Interestingly, the court's latest set of questions does not directly ask whether women should be allowed entry. Instead, it focuses on broader constitutional principles related to religious customs and practices.

BJP Criticises Government's Change in Position

The Keralam government's shift has drawn criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Senior BJP leader Kummanam Rajasekharan said the government's new stance appears politically motivated and linked to upcoming state elections.

He also demanded that cases filed against people who protested the 2018 verdict be withdrawn.

According to Rajasekharan, many devotees who took part in demonstrations during the earlier controversy were arrested or faced legal action.

CPI(M) Denies Any Policy U-Turn

Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which heads the LDF government, have denied that the change represents a complete reversal of policy.

CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said the party continues to respect constitutional values but also recognises the importance of religious sentiments.

He explained that the government is trying to balance faith, legal principles and public opinion while responding to the Supreme Court's questions.

Govindan added that legal experts and scholars were consulted before the government finalised its response.

Role of the Travancore Devaswom Board

The Travancore Devaswom Board, which manages the temple, has consistently supported the continuation of traditional practices at Sabarimala.

Earlier this month, the board clarified that it had never officially supported unrestricted entry for women of all ages, and emphasised its responsibility to preserve customs followed for centuries.

The state government's new stance reflects the board's position on maintaining traditional temple practices.

Political and Social Implications

The Sabarimala issue has remained one of the most sensitive religious and political debates in Kerala in recent years.

Observers believe the government's revised stance could also be influenced by political considerations as the state prepares for the next assembly elections.

With the matter once again before the Supreme Court, the coming hearings are expected to play a key role in shaping the future of the temple's entry rules and the broader debate on religion, tradition and constitutional rights in India.