Supreme Court’s 9-Judge Bench Takes Up Sabarimala Review
A 9-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court of India has begun hearing review petitions in the landmark Sabarimala case, revisiting its 2018 verdict that allowed entry of women of all ages into the temple. The bench, led by Justice Surya Kant, will examine broader constitutional questions, including the extent to which courts can intervene in matters of essential religious practices. The Centre and the Kerala government have backed the review, arguing that issues of faith and the character of a deity should not be subject to judicial determination. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the balance between religious freedom and constitutional rights in India.
