In the latest development regarding the entry of women in Sabarimala, the Supreme Court on Friday asked the Sabarimala Temple Board to give its reply within six weeks.
The court asked why the Board discriminates against women when Vedas, Upanishads do not discriminate between men and women.
“We will take a decision pertaining to entry ban of women on the basis of constitutional parameters,” said the court.
The apex court has also appointed senior advocate Raju Ramachandran as amicus curiae for the case.
On January 11, the apex court had questioned the ban on the entry of menstruating women in Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. The court was hearing a PIL filed by the Young Lawyers' Association, seeking entry for all women in the hill shrine.
Following that, the matter has seen many twists and turns. The ruling UDF government on February 5 said it wants to protect the centuries old religious tradition after CM Oommen Chandy initially said the government would not interfere in any religious affairs.
Opposition CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the SC should take a final decision on the issue. Some Left leaders had welcomed SC observations when the issue first came to light.