‘Nobody has an exclusionary right of temple entry’

‘Nobody has an exclusionary right of temple entry’

News:

1. The Supreme Court referred the petitions on women’s entry to Sabarimala temple to the Constitution bench.

Important facts:

2. Women who are of an age to menstruate (10-50) are restricted from entering the temple as its presiding deity, Lord Ayyappa, is considered to be a celibate.

3. The apex court ‘s ruling came after hearing petition challenging rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of public worship(Authorisation of Entry) Rules, 1965.

4. The apex court has made the following observations:

• Woman’s entry restrictions can be imposed only on the basis of health, morality, and public order.
• If a man who is not a trustee or a Poojari can enter, than women also can.
• It was against the constitutional mandate to deny entry to women.
• The court also supported the Kerala government which rooted for the entry of women of all ages to the temple.
• Supreme Court said right of a woman to pray is a constitutional right.
• Every woman is also the creation of god, the court said
• Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said women and their physiological phenomena are creations of God. If not God, of nature.
• Justice Chandrachud clarifies that woman right to pray is not dependent on a legislation but a constitutional right. Nobody has an exclusionary right of entry to a temple.
• The court  also referred Article 25 (1) which mandates freedom of conscience and right to practise religion. “All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion…”
• The court also observed that the Constitution upheld the ideals of liberty of thought, expression, belief and faith, be it for man or woman.
• The court observed that the not allowing entry in the temple was a violation of the rights to equality and gender justice.