Sabarimala Women’s Entry: Government Informs Supreme Court About Change in State Administration
During the arguments in the case related to the entry of women into Sabarimala, the government counsel informed the Supreme Court about the change in government in the state. Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the state, said that because of the political change in the state, he may not be able to give direct answers to questions regarding Sabarimala.
Jaideep Gupta said that he had originally been instructed to oppose the ban on women’s entry. However, Justice B.V. Nagarathna pointed out that the earlier stand had already been changed. Gupta argued that courts should not decide what constitutes essential religious practices and that such matters should be left to religious scholars. The hearing in the case will continue on Tuesday.
During the arguments supporting women’s entry into Sabarimala, the Supreme Court made several observations. Justice B.V. Nagarathna observed that true women devotees of Lord Ayyappa between the ages of 10 and 50 would not go to Sabarimala. She also orally remarked that a devotee would not question God and that centuries-old traditions need not be openly scrutinized.