Entering a Temple by Women: A Right or a Crime?
The bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and Justice RF Nariman, Justice AM Khanwilkar, Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Indu Malhotra will hear the review petitions in an open court on January 22, 2019 against the Sabarimala verdict. The court did not put any stay on the order allowing entry to the temple for women of all ages.
Wrath of Mobs on Women Entry
Indira Jaising, senior advocate, filed a petition on 17th Jan 2019 before the CJI for full time police protection to specially two women Bindu and Kanaka Durga who entered Sabarimala temple on 2nd January,2019. She sought urgent listening of the matter as the women are living with constant fear from agitated mob who are protesting against the temple entry. The right to entry to the temple has been granted by the Supreme Court in the case of Indian Young Lawyers’ Association v State of Kerala.
>Two days back, a petitioner, Kanaka, was hospitalised due to injuries allegedly inflicted by her in-laws who were peeved with her temple entry.
The petition seeks protection and security for women to exercise the right to enter into the temple and undertake the pilgrimage without danger to life and liberty. Another issue which is dealt by the petition is the purification ceremony conducted in the temple. On account of entry of women of the age group 10 to 50 years, the temple authorities conduct the rite of purification or shut the temple for some time. It seeks a declaration that such purification ceremonies are violative of the constitutional ban on untouchability as per Article 17 of the Indian Constitution. The entry of women on January 2nd, the head priest closed the temple for an hour to perform ceremonies for purification due to the defiling effect caused to the deity because of women entry.
Agreeing to the request of the petitioner, CJI Ranjan Gogoi has said that the matter will be listed on 18th January,2019.
Even though, the apex court has agreed to hear the review petition by the temple authorities and others against the court’s verdict in an open court, still the people carrying the old mindsets are conducting protests on entry of women. This landmark case and its impact through the reactions of the people raises a question of actual empowerment of women and equality in the society leaving behind the ancient norms which are being followed under the veil of religious customs.
By-
Tanishka Grover
Student Reporter INBA