SC Allows Entry of Women at Sabarimala: Cong, BJP Welcome Verdict

Politicians across the spectrum have welcomed the Sabarimala verdict.

In a 4:1 verdict, the Supreme Court granted women of all age groups entry into Kerala's Sabarimala temple, breaking the temple's age-old tradition of restricting menstruating women from entering its premises.

The five-judge bench, headed by CJI Dipak Misra with Justices RF Nariman, AM Khanwilkar, DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, pronounced the verdict, with Malhotra dissenting.

While pronouncing the judgment, CJI Misra said a woman is not inferior to a man and patriarchy cannot be permitted to win over faith, while Justice Chandrachud said to treat women as children of a lesser god is to blink at the Constitution itself.

Justice Indu Malhotra, on the other hand, being the only woman and the dissenting judge in the 4:1 verdict, said issues of deep religious sentiments should not see the court’s interference.

Politicians across the spectrum have welcomed the verdict.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi, while talking to ANI, said the judgment opens up and brings the way forward for Hinduism.

It is a wonderful decision. It opens up and brings the way forward for Hinduism to become even more inclusive and not a property of one caste or one sex.

Maneka Gandhi, Union Women and Child Development Minister, to ANI

Mariam Dhawale, General Secretary of All India Democratic Women's Association, called the verdict another step towards equality.

We welcome the judgment. Women have a constitutional right to be able to visit the temple and whoever wishes must be allowed to visit it.

Mariam Dhawale, General Secretary, All India Democratic Women’s Association

Congress leaders also supported the Supreme Court’s stand, saying this is a progressive move towards gender equality.

There can be no discrimination to worship on the basis of gender or otherwise.

A welcome and progressive move towards gender equality by Supreme Court in #Sabrimala .

As society evolves, so should our religious beliefs and laws.

— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) September 28, 2018

We welcome the historic Supreme Court judgement allowing entry of women of all ages into the #SabarimalaTemple
#SabarimalaVerdict

— Congress (@INCIndia) September 28, 2018

'ஆணும் பெண்ணும் சரிநிகர் சமம்' என்பதை நிரூபிக்கும் வகையில் சபரிமலையில் அனைத்து வயது பெண்களையும் அனுமதிக்கலாம் என்ற உச்சநீதிமன்ற தீர்ப்பு வரலாற்றுச் சிறப்புமிக்கது.

சமூக நீதி-பாலின சமத்துவம்-பெண் விடுதலை ஆகிய உயர்ந்த தத்துவங்களை நோக்கிய பயணத்தில் இத்தீர்ப்பு மைல்கல்! #Sabarimala

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 28, 2018

By allowing the entry of women into Sabarimala temple, the SC has given a historic verdict. Their verdict is an example of women empowerment and equality. The DMK welcomes the verdict.

MK Stalin, DMK Leader

साबरीमाला मंदिरमे सभी आयु की माहिलाओं को प्रवेश मिलने संदर्भ में सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने आज दिया हुआ फैसला बोहोत महत्वपूर्ण है | यह फैसला महिलाओं के समान अधिकारों के आंदोलन में मील का पत्थर साबीत होगा | यह लडाई लडने वाले सभी साथीयों को अभिनंदन !#Sabarimala #SabarimalaVerdict pic.twitter.com/G7R1kyeHPA

— Jayant Patil (@Jayant_R_Patil) September 28, 2018

The cultural values be same but advancements are required with changing time. I welcome supreme court judement to stop gender discrimination when it comes to worshipping God. #Sabarimala

— Shankersinh Vaghela (@ShankersinhBapu) September 28, 2018