Sabarimala: 9-judge bench to hear pleas from April 7, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• A nine-judge bench, presided over by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, will hear petitions related to the Sabarimala temple entry issue starting April 7.
• The Supreme Court's 2018 judgment lifted age restrictions on women entering the Sabarimala temple in Kerala.
• In 2019, a 3:2 ruling referred the review petitions to a larger bench for detailed examination.
• In January 2020, a nine-judge bench was constituted, which held that the review petitions are maintainable in February 2020.

Detailed Insights:

• The core issue revolves around the conflict between religious freedom and gender equality concerning the entry of women into the Sabarimala temple.
• The initial 2018 Supreme Court verdict struck down Rule 3(b) of the Kerala Hindu Places of Public Worship Rules, 1965, deeming it unconstitutional for excluding women based on custom.
• The subsequent review petitions raised concerns about the potential impact on other religions, necessitating a more comprehensive examination by a larger bench.
• The nine-judge bench will address seven key questions, including the scope of Article 25 (freedom of religion) and Article 26 (rights of religious denominations) of the Constitution of India.
• These questions also delve into the definition of 'morality' within the context of religious practices and the extent of judicial review in such matters.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Article 25: Guarantees the freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion to all citizens.
• Article 26: Grants religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs in matters of religion.
• Constitutional Morality: Adherence to constitutional principles and values, often invoked in matters of individual rights versus societal norms.