Religious Faith Or Judicial Matter? SC Takes Up Review Hearing Of Sabarimala Temple Entry Case | Check Timeline

The Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing on petitions related to discrimination against women at religious places, including Keralam's Sabarimala temple. A nine-judge bench is also examining the ambit and scope of religious freedom practised by multiple faiths. Earlier, before the hearing commenced, the centre told the apex court that the issue is rooted in religious practice and faith, adding that there was no gender discrimination involved. The entry of women between the ages 10 and 50 is banned at the Sabarimala temple, leading to major controversy in the recent times.

Questions Raised By SC

- Scope and ambit of right to freedom of religion under Article 25

- Interplay between the rights of persons under Article 25 and rights of religious denomination under Article 26

- Whether the rights of a religious denomination are subject to other fundamental rights apart from public order

- Scope and extent of the word 'morality' under Articles 25 and 26

- Extent of judicial review concerning a religious practice as referred to under Article 25

- Meaning of the expression "sections of Hindus" occurring in Article 25 (2) (b)

- Can a person not belonging to a religion question a practice

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What Is The Timeline?

Earlier in September 2018, the Supreme Court had lifted the ban that prevented the entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 from entering the Ayyappa shrine at Sabarimala. The bench asserted that the centuries-old practice was illegal and unconstitutional. Apart from this, a five-judge bench on November 14, 2019, highlighted the issue of discrimination against women at places of worship.

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Along with the Sabarimala case, the verdict also raised the issues of Muslim women's entry into mosques and dargahs and the entry of Parsi women married to non-Parsi men. The centre has told the apex court the issue falls "squarely within the domain of religious faith" and denominational autonomy.