SC delivers landmark judgement; Women of all ages can enter Sabarimala Temple

The Supreme Court on Friday delivered a landmark judgement on the Sabarimala temple case. Ending the archaic ban of women from the ages of 10 to 50, the SC declared that women of all ages must be allowed in Sabarimala temple.

For decades, menstruating women were banned from the premise of the temple, for the presiding deity, Lord Ayappa is considered to be a celibate. However, the ban seemed to oppress women and take away their basic rights.

The court observed, "The practice of age restriction on women entry to Sabarimala temple can't be treated as an essential religious practice," and added that Lord Ayappa is not a separate denomination.

The judgement was passed by a five-judge constitutional bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra. Misra strongly asserted, "Rules based on biological characteristics will not muster constitution."