SC observes Sabarimala's women entry ban unconstitutional: An explainer

In a 1991 judgment, the Kerala HC upheld the ban on the entry of women aged between 10 and 50 years in the Sabarimala temple

The ban on the entry of women in menstruating age (between 10 and 50 years) from entering the Sabarimala temple hit the headlines again on Wednesday, with the Supreme Court observing that the practice was unconstitutional.

The Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, questioned the temple authorities about the ban. "On what basis you (temple authorities) deny the entry. It is against the Constitutional mandate. Once you open it for the public, anybody can go," he said.

In a 1991 judgment, the Kerala High Court had held that the ban was in accordance with traditions, saying it was not discriminatory