Sabarimala verdict: Supreme Court refers matter to larger bench

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday referred to a larger bench the petitions seeking review of the apex court’s 2018 judgment allowing entry of women between the ages of 10 and 50 into the Sabarimala temple.

Reading out the judgment, the bench said petitions had “sought to revive the debate about what’s the religion and essential religious practices”. “Individual right to pray at temple cannot be superior to what is considered as religious by another sect is what petitions have argued,” the court said.

The review petitions against the entry of women has been referred to a seven-judge bench. The current bench that had been reviewing the case is a five-judge bench. However, the judges have not mentioned if the Supreme Court’s September 28 order will be stayed.  A subsequent order will clarify if women can enter the temple when it reopens on November 16.