Dakshayani Velayudhan Digital Archive

In Young Lawyers Association v. State of Kerala, the Supreme Court of India has examined the constitutional validity of the Sabarimala Temple’s practice of excluding women of menstruating age (10-50 years) from entering the temple. The petition challenged the custom as discriminatory and violative of women’s fundamental rights under the Constitution, particularly Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 25 (Freedom of Religion).

The Supreme Court, in its judgment declared the barring women of menstruating age from entering the Sabarimala Temple is unconstitutional. The Court held that such a practice violated women’s fundamental rights and reiterated gender discrimination in society. The judgment emphasized the significance of constitutional principles of equality and non-discrimination in matters of religious practices. Further, the Court elucidated that religious practices that are inconsistent with constitutional values cannot be protected under the guise of freedom of religion. The judgment underscored the need to reinterpret religious practices in light of constitutional values to ensure gender justice.