Thiruvananthapuram, February 16: The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has adopted a cautious approach regarding the review of the Supreme Court‘s decision on women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple. This comes as the Supreme Court prepares to resume hearings on the matter. The government has stated that it will finalize its position only after thorough discussions on all aspects of the issue.
State Law Minister P. Rajeev emphasized that the matter cannot be reduced to a simple “yes or no.” He described it as a complex constitutional question, indicating that the government will clarify its stance after careful consideration.
Rajeev reminded that the government’s previous position aligned with the Supreme Court‘s 2018 ruling, which allowed women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple. He asserted that faith and social reform should progress together, a perspective reflected in the government’s affidavit.
The nine-judge constitutional bench of the Supreme Court is set to begin hearings on the Sabarimala review case on April 7. The bench, led by Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, has established a detailed schedule for hearing the review petitions filed against the 2018 decision. The court has instructed all parties to submit their written arguments by March 14, aiming to conclude the debates by April 22.
In its landmark ruling in September 2018, the Supreme Court permitted women of all ages to enter the Sabarimala temple dedicated to Lord Ayyappa.
Ahead of the hearings, influential community organizations in Kerala have intensified pressure on the state government to reconsider its position. The Nair Service Society (NSS) has called on the government to oppose the entry of women of all ages.
NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair stated that the state government and the Devaswom Board should amend their previously supportive stance. He insisted that the issue should not be politicized and that the current traditional practices at Sabarimala should be maintained. He also demanded the withdrawal of cases related to the Namajap movement.
Similarly, the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP) has urged the government to change its stance. SNDP General Secretary Vellapally Natesan stated that the government should “make necessary reforms” while opposing women’s entry. He emphasized that the traditions of Sabarimala should remain unchanged and that the government should make decisions after hearing all parties involved.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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