The Supreme Court of India has formed a diverse bench to review its 2018 verdict on the Sabarimala temple entry issue, comprising justices from different faiths, regions, and genders. This move is seen as an attempt to address criticisms of the earlier judgment, which allowed women of all ages to enter the Kerala shrine, overturning a centuries-old tradition.
The bench includes Justice Hemant Gupta, a Hindu from North India; Justice L. Nageswara Rao, a Hindu from South India; Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, a Muslim; Justice R. Subhash Reddy, a Hindu from South India; and Justice Indira Banerjee, a woman from East India. Legal analysts note this composition reflects India’s pluralistic society and could lend greater legitimacy to the court’s eventual decision.
The Sabarimala case has been a flashpoint in India’s culture wars, with traditionalists arguing that the deity Lord Ayyappa is celibate and women of menstruating age should not enter the temple. Progressive groups counter that the ban constitutes gender discrimination. The new bench’s diversity suggests the court is taking a nuanced approach to this sensitive issue.
Court observers suggest the review could take months, with potential implications for other gender-related religious disputes. The decision may also influence ongoing debates about judicial appointments and representation in India’s higher judiciary.