SC to women seeking protection for Sabarimala: It’s an emotive issue, please have patience

Supreme Court on Friday refused to pass any orders on petitions seeking protection for women who wish to enter Sabarimala temple in Kerala. Apex Court also said that its 2018 order on Sabarimala temple issue was "t final" as matter is pending before a seven-judge bench, which it said will be constituted soon. three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India SA Bobde made few observations while passing an order on a petition filed by two activists Bindu Ammini and Fathima AS  seeking safe pass for women inside shrine.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Justice SA Bobde told senior advocate Colin Gonsalves, representing Rehna Fathima after he complained that Kerala Government was t allowing women to enter temple said, " situation at moment is explosive. We don’t want any violence. This is an -old practice going on for thousands of years. balance of convenience requires that order should be passed in your favour w. matter is under reference and if it is ultimately decided in your favour, we will protect you,” Bench said, adding that matter has already been referred to a seven-judge Bench.

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'It’s an emotive issue'

apex court, however, granted police protection to two activists. On behalf of ar petitioner Bindu Ammini, senior advocate Indira Jaising said petitioners opposed violence. She requested court to protect m on ir visit to Sabarimala as re was stay on September 2018 verdict allowing entry of women of all groups into Sabarimala Temple.

“We kw that law is in your favour. It’s an emotive issue. That’s why court thought it fit to refer it to a larger Bench. Please have patience. We are t saying don’t allow her to go in, but we are t looking at passing any order right w. If she can go and pray, we don’t have any problem. We get your point that a court would pass such an order. But we are using our discretion and will t be passing any order,” Bench said.

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Plea for police protection

In vember, a man had sprayed chili and pepper on Bindu's face when she was on her way to Sabarimala temple. Fathima had also tried to enter shrine. Two women in ir thirties had n approached Supreme Court with a plea to direct Kerala police to provide m protection for ir intended pilgrim to famed forest temple during ongoing season. court refused to pass any or order in connection to matter. y said a Constitution Bench lifted ban on women of menstruating to enter Sabarimala in a majority judgment on September 28, 2018. State’s refusal to provide m protection was in gross contempt of judgment, y argued. Allowing ir review petitions, court had last month referred matter to a seven-judge bench. It is yet to be constituted.  

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