The Supreme Court, while hearing review petitions against its earlier verdict allowing women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple, observed that “true Ayyappa women devotees” between the ages of 10 and 50 do not visit the shrine, as reported in Hindu Tamil.
The matter is being heard by a nine-judge Constitution Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices B.V. Nagarathna, M.M. Sundresh, A. Amanullah, A.G. Masih, P.B. Varale, R. Mahadevan, and Joymalya Bagchi.
During the hearing, the bench raised questions on whether persons who do not believe in the deity can challenge religious practices and whether the beliefs of the majority of devotees can be hurt.
Appearing for petitioners supporting the earlier verdict, senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing Kanaka Durga and Bindu Ammini, who had visited Sabarimala after the 2018 judgment and faced protests, argued that irrespective of belief, individuals must conduct themselves respectfully in a place of worship. She stated that the two women had not violated any legal rights and had only exercised their fundamental right to worship.
She further argued that denying entry to women between the ages of 10 and 50 amounts to a violation of their fundamental right to worship, noting that women in this age group are active and capable. Referring to the aftermath of the earlier verdict, she said that when the two women returned after visiting the temple, there were calls by some to “purify” the shrine.
Jaising also submitted that every religion has the capacity for internal reform.
At this point, Justice M.M. Sundresh remarked that if such arguments are accepted, every believer could begin dictating how worship should be conducted, leading to a situation with no clear end.
Justice B.V. Nagarathna, during the hearing, questioned how a non-believer could claim a right to worship, asking, “How can a non-believer from North India claim the right to worship?” She added that unity in diversity is the strength of the country and observed that “true Ayyappa women devotees” in the 10-50 age group do not go to Sabarimala.
The hearing in the matter will continue on 5 May 2026.
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