New Delhi: The Sabarimala Verdict pronounced by former CJI Dipak Misra led bench of the Supreme Court, on September 28 had caused distress among a certain section of the society (people and organizations against the women entering the Sabarimala Sanctum), which led to a demand of review petition.
On Tuesday, October 9, the newly appointed Chief Justice of India, Ranjan Gogoi, rejected an oral plea for the listing of the review petition.
The verdict of September 28 had stated that all the women irrespective of age groups were allowed to enter the Sabarimala temple, which is said to be against the cultural practices followed by the temple, since ages.
Advocate Mathews Nedumpara, representing one of the review petitioners, named Shylaja Vijayan, known to be the President of the National Ayyappa Devotees Association faced rejection of the oral mentioning of the petition by CJI Gogoi.
As the court is said to be closed on account of Dasara holidays from October 12, Advocate Nedumpara wanted the court to take up the plea. This plea was also declined by the Apex Court.
The review petitions argue that the reforms cannot be just placed ruling out the practice which is in existence. Such a PIL is filed by those who do not believe in Lord Ayyappa.
The 4:1 bench upheld the PIL that was filed by the Young Lawyers Association, which had challenged the practices of not allowing women between the age group of 10 and 50. This plea was filed 12 years back.
The bench was of the opinion that if women were not allowed based on the menstrual grounds, then it would be a harm or damage to the dignity of an individual.
The bench said, “Treating a woman as the children of lesser God is to blink at the Constitution”.
It also said that the way women are treated in this matter was like the practice of “Untouchability”, which has been abolished years ago.
It was also of the opinion that not allowing women to practice religion was disrespectful and against equal citizenship. Right to practice religion must be parallel to the right of dignity of women aged between 10 and 50.
The review petition filed by the Nair Service Society under the senior advocate K. Parasaran and filed by advocate K V Mohan contended the court saying that a larger section of women worshippers ae supporting the customs which prohibits the entry of women under the specified age group.
The petition posed the opinion that the lifting of the ban, just reviewing the petition filed by a party which doesn’t believe in the customs of the sanctum, while there is opposition to the same by a larger section of women sounds unethical.
The review filed by the Chetana Conscience of Women, which is represented by advocate K V Muthu Kumar said that in future the situation would be complicated if the court pronounces the decision purely based on faith, beliefs, customs and practices.
