Supreme Court questioned the age old tradition of banning entry of women in the menstrual age group in the historic Sabarimala temple in Kerala and it is not permissible under the Constitution. However, the temple cannot prohibit entry except on the basis of religion as done in the past. The court was hearing PIL filed by the young Lawyer’s Association seeking entry for all women and girls in the Sabarimala temple. The shrine, as a practice does not allow girls who have attained puberty, to enter the premises. But the women, who have crossed the threshold of menopause are allowed. Preventing women from entering the shrine is not in good taste and not according to the constitution. Women as weaker sex always suffer and their liberation is curtailed by such acts in the public places. In the meanwhile a housewife will head Shani Temple Trust to the delight of all. After all women are also part of the humanity and separating them in this way is not viable way of handling the ticklish issue. Women should get their right in all aspects of human life. The talk of women going to temples for worship is given a serious thought and the temple authorities should stick to strictures passed in the court.
Nickhil Mani
(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)
