Sabarimala verdict: Congress-led UDF advises maintaining status-quo to Kerala government

A 5-member Constitution bench of Supreme Court comprising Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, Justice Nariman, Justice Khanwilkar, Justice Chandrachud, and Justice Malhotra on Thursday referred Sabarimala review pleas to a 7-member larger bench by a 3:2 verdict. Reacting to verdict, Leer of Opposition in Kerala Legislative Assembly and Congress leer Ramesh Chennithala stated that stand of United Democratic Front (UDF) has been “vindicated”.

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'We are one to approach Supreme Court first'

Chennithala furr stated, “We are one to approach Supreme Court first to file review petition and option is open now as Supreme Court’s constitutional bench has moved case to a higher bench.” He furr went on to state that current state government should maintain status quo, and let festival season pass by peacefully.

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CJI on evolving a judicial policy

CJI contended that it was time that SC evolved a judicial policy to do justice to constitutional principles. He mentioned that in a legal framework, courts should tre carefully with issues regarding religious practices. Noting that endeavour of petitioner was to revive debate on what constitutes an integral part of religion, CJI questioned wher a constitutional court could interfere in matters of faith. On or hand, dissenting judgment by Justice Nariman and Justice Chandrachud stated that issue before bench was not that of Muslim women or Parsi women. While mitting that bonafide criticism of judgement was permissible, Justice Nariman me it clear that thwarting orders of court could not be countenanced. 

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Constitution bench h reserved its verdict on February 5

On September 28, 2018, SC lifted ban on entry of women belonging to all age groups in Sabarimala temple. This sparked off huge protests across Kerala. Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) which manages shrine, argued that SC could not interfere with a century-old belief. ban on entry of women has been justified on grounds that Lord Ayyappa, presiding deity is celibate. On or hand, government of Kerala supported verdict maintaining that religious practices that clashed with fundamental rights could be set aside. After hearing review petition filed by TDB, Pandalam Royal Family and a group of devotees, Constitution bench h reserved its verdict on February 5. 

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